Complete Guide to the Saudi Umrah Visa for Iraqi Citizens in the UK (2026)
For many Iraqi citizens, performing Umrah is a deeply cherished spiritual goal. Historically, travelling on an Iraqi passport meant navigating complex visa applications, requiring a sponsor, or booking through highly restrictive travel agencies to obtain a standard single-entry Umrah visa.
However, if you are an Iraqi citizen residing in the United Kingdom, the process is now significantly easier. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has introduced key exemptions for foreign nationals holding high-tier residencies. By leveraging your UK status, you become eligible for the Saudi Multiple Entry Tourist eVisa, allowing you to perform Umrah with complete independence and flexibility.
In this comprehensive 2026 guide, we will break down exactly how Iraqi passport holders in the UK can secure their Umrah visa online.
The UK Residency Exemption: Unlocking the eVisa
While Iraq is categorized under “Group B” (Conditional Eligibility) and is not on the standard list of countries eligible for the basic Saudi Tourist eVisa, Saudi Arabia makes a major exception for individuals who have already passed rigorous immigration checks in the UK, US, or Schengen area.
As an Iraqi citizen, you are fully eligible to apply for the online Saudi Tourist eVisa—or receive a Visa on Arrival in Saudi Arabia—if you meet one of the following criteria:
You hold a valid UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
You hold a valid UK Standard Visitor Visa that has been used at least once. (If you have a newly issued UK visa, you must enter the UK with it first before it becomes valid for the Saudi eVisa system).
Expert Insight: Securing this eVisa allows you to perform independent Umrah. You are no longer tied to an agency’s fixed schedule. You can fly directly from London, Manchester, or Birmingham to Jeddah or Madinah, and book your own accommodations according to your budget.
Multiple Entry eVisa vs. Traditional Iraqi Umrah Visa
Why should an Iraqi residing in the UK opt for the Tourist eVisa over a traditional agency-issued Umrah visa?
| Feature | Saudi Multiple Entry eVisa (via UK Status) | Traditional Iraqi Umrah Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Application Method | 100% Online (Approved in 24-48 hours) | Paper-based via an approved agency |
| Validity | 1 Year (Multiple Entry) | Typically 30 to 90 Days (Single Entry) |
| Allowed Stay | Up to 90 days per visit | Tied to your agency’s schedule |
| Flexibility | Travel anywhere in Saudi Arabia freely | Restricted to holy cities and Jeddah |
| Sponsorship | None required | Requires an agency or sponsor |
Requirements for Iraqi Applicants in the UK
To ensure your application is processed smoothly, gather the following documents before you begin the online application:
Valid Iraqi Passport: Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining from your planned date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
Proof of UK Status: A clear digital scan of your UK BRP, settlement status, or the valid, used UK visa stamped inside your passport.
Passport-Style Photo: A recent digital photograph with a plain white background.
Active Email Address: To receive your approved digital visa.
Payment Method: A valid UK debit or international credit card to cover the visa and medical insurance fees.
Note: You must carry a valid Meningococcal (ACWY) vaccination certificate when travelling, as this may be requested by Saudi border control.
How to Apply for the Umrah eVisa Online (Step-by-Step)
The digital application process saves you from needing to visit the Saudi Embassy in London or sending your passport away in the mail.
Visit the Official Portal: Navigate to the official Visit Saudi eVisa website.
Select the Exception Category: Enter your nationality as Iraq. The system will ask if you hold a valid UK, US, or Schengen visa/residency. Select “Yes” and input your UK residency details.
Fill in Personal Data: Enter your details exactly as they appear on the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of your Iraqi passport.
Upload Documents: Upload the clear scan of your passport bio-page and your UK BRP or used UK Visa.
Pay the Fees: The total cost generally ranges from £80 to £114 (approximately 402 to 535 SAR). This fee covers both the visa processing and the mandatory Saudi health insurance for your stay.
Receive Approval: Most applications are approved within 24 to 48 hours. Print out the PDF of your visa to present to airline staff at your UK departure airport.
Crucial Restrictions to Keep in Mind
Hajj is Excluded: You cannot perform Hajj on the Tourist eVisa. During the Hajj season, entry to Makkah is strictly restricted for eVisa holders. You must apply for a specific Hajj visa through approved channels if you wish to perform Hajj.
Download the Nusuk App: Once your visa is approved, you must download the official Saudi Nusuk App to book your mandatory time slots for performing Umrah and praying in the Rawdah Mubarak in Madinah.
Do Not Overstay: The visa allows stays of up to 90 days per visit. Overstaying will result in hefty fines and potential deportation or bans.
Conclusion
Living in the United Kingdom provides Iraqi citizens with a remarkable opportunity to bypass complex visa procedures and perform Umrah with unprecedented freedom. By utilizing your UK residency or visa status, you can secure a 1-Year Multiple Entry Saudi eVisa online quickly and affordably. Prepare your documents, book your flights, and embark on a peaceful spiritual journey tailored entirely to your own schedule.
Which Saudi route fits an Iraqi passport?
The Umrah visa through an authorised provider is the standard route for Iraqi passport holders flying from the UK (checked November 2026). Iraq is not on the Saudi tourist eVisa list, and the ETA and visa waiver are open only to British citizens.
Our packages include the Umrah visa with the health insurance Saudi Arabia requires. Browse dates and hotels on the Umrah packages page, then ask for a written quote.
Refugee status: check before you travel
If you were granted refugee status in the UK, take advice from a qualified immigration adviser before applying for or travelling on an Iraqi passport. Using the passport of the country you sought protection from can raise questions about your status.
Some refugees travel on a Home Office travel document instead. Ask us before paying anything, and we will check whether the Saudi system will accept that document for an Umrah visa on your dates. We would rather say no early than see a booking fail.
Settled status and the eVisa
Since July 2023, permanent residents of the UK have been able to apply for the Saudi tourist eVisa whatever their nationality. An Iraqi citizen with indefinite leave to remain may therefore qualify, but the portal decides each case.
Without permanent residence, the Umrah visa is the dependable choice. It also avoids the separate step of buying insurance, which comes with it.
British-Iraqi dual nationals
If you hold British citizenship, travelling on the British passport is usually simplest and widens your choice to the eVisa, ETA and visa waiver. See our British passport guide for the details.
Documents to prepare
- The passport or travel document you will travel on, valid six months beyond arrival.
- Meningitis ACWY certificate, vaccine given at least 10 days before arrival.
- UK eVisa linked in your UKVI account to that same document.
- Names exactly as printed in Latin script on the data page.
Iraqi names written from Arabic or Kurdish can appear with several spellings across documents. The visa and ticket must follow the passport exactly, even if your bank card or driving licence differs.
When you check in for the flight back, the airline checks your UK permission against the document you are carrying. If you have a new passport or travel document, update the UKVI account before you leave the UK, and carry a share code as a backup.
The 2025 pause and seasonal closure
Iraq was one of 14 countries whose citizens could not get new business, family visit or tourist eVisas from April 2025 until after Hajj. Umrah visas closed on their normal seasonal timetable, which applies to everyone.
Last season, Umrah visas stopped being issued on 1 Shawwal and the final entry date was 15 Shawwal; we confirm 2027 dates when announced. If you are aiming for the end of Ramadan, read our Ramadan Umrah packages page and book early.
Kurdish and Arabic names in Nusuk
The Nusuk app reads your details from the visa, so any spelling difference starts with the booking. If your passport gives a Kurdish spelling and your UK documents an Arabic one, follow the passport every time.
Some Iraqi passports also list a mother's name or tribal name. Only the name fields on the data page matter for the visa and ticket; we will tell you exactly what we enter.
Families with mixed documents
In some Iraqi families, parents hold refugee travel documents while children born here have British passports. Each person's visa route follows their own document, so a family may use two or three different routes on one trip.
We check each traveller separately and list them all on one quote. Our family Umrah packages work the same way for mixed-passport households.
How we handle an Iraqi booking
- Tell us which document each traveller will use.
- We check whether the Saudi system accepts it before quoting.
- You accept the written quote and send the data pages and ACWY certificates.
- We lodge each Umrah visa within 30 days of the flight.
Common problems we see
- Travelling on a national passport without checking how it affects refugee status.
- A travel document that has not been added to the UKVI account.
- Different spellings of the same name on ticket and passport.
- Leaving a Ramadan booking so late that the visa window closes.
