The Ultimate Guide to the Saudi Multiple Entry Umrah Visa for UK Citizens
For British Muslims, the journey to Makkah and Madinah is a profound spiritual milestone. Historically, performing Umrah required navigating complex paperwork, visiting the embassy, and securing single-entry visas through specialized agencies. Today, Saudi Arabia’s modernized digital visa system has completely transformed the experience. For UK citizens looking for maximum flexibility, the Saudi Multiple Entry Visa (officially issued as the Tourist eVisa) is the ultimate solution.
Whether you wish to perform Umrah several times a year, visit family in Jeddah, or explore Saudi Arabia’s rich Islamic heritage, this guide covers everything you need to know about securing your multiple-entry visa.
What is the Multiple Entry Umrah Visa?
While many pilgrims refer to it as the “Umrah Multiple Entry Visa,” the official document you are applying for is the Saudi Tourist eVisa. The Saudi Ministry of Tourism allows UK passport holders to use this eVisa to perform Umrah legally, making it the most versatile travel document available to British pilgrims today.
Key Features of the Multiple Entry eVisa
Validity Period: The visa is valid for a full 365 days from the exact date of issue.
Entry Allowance: Multiple entries are permitted throughout the year, meaning you can fly back and forth between the UK and Saudi Arabia as often as you like.
Maximum Stay: You can stay up to 90 days per visit.
Included Insurance: The Multiple Entry eVisa automatically includes mandatory Saudi health insurance, which covers medical emergencies up to 100,000 SAR during your stay.
Multiple Entry eVisa vs. Standard Umrah Visa
Why should UK travellers choose the multiple-entry tourist eVisa over a traditional, single-entry Umrah visa?
Unmatched Flexibility: Traditional Umrah visas are strictly tied to a 30-day entry window upon issuance. The multiple-entry eVisa allows you to travel at a moment’s notice anytime within its 1-year validity. This is perfect for taking advantage of last-minute flight deals from London or Manchester.
Tourism & Travel Freedom: The eVisa permits you to travel freely across the entirety of Saudi Arabia. You can perform your rituals in Makkah and Madinah, then take the Haramain High-Speed Railway to explore other regions.
Do-It-Yourself Booking: Traditional Umrah visas often require booking through an approved agency. The eVisa allows independent UK travellers to book their own flights, budget accommodations, or luxury boutique hotels directly, potentially saving hundreds of pounds.
2026 Requirements for British Passport Holders
The application process is fully digital, incredibly streamlined, and does not require a trip to the Saudi Embassy in London. To guarantee a swift approval, ensure you meet the following requirements before applying:
Valid UK Passport: You must hold a full British Citizen passport with at least six months of validity remaining from your intended date of arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Digital Photograph: A recent, clear passport-style photo with a white background. Ensure there are no filters, glare, or heavy edits.
Vaccination Compliance: While you do not upload this during the application, you must carry a valid Meningococcal (ACWY) vaccination certificate to present at Saudi immigration control.
Nusuk App Registration: After your visa is granted, you must download the official Saudi Nusuk App. This application is mandatory for booking your Umrah time slots and securing prayer appointments for the Rawdah Mubarak in Madinah.
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
Securing your multiple-entry visa takes just a few minutes if you have your documents ready.
Visit the Official Portal: Navigate directly to the official Visit Saudi eVisa website.
Create an Account: Register with an active email address and verify your account.
Fill in the Application: Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of your UK passport. Even minor typos can result in boarding denials.
Pay the Fees: The total cost is generally around £80 to £100 (approximately 402 SAR, which covers the visa, digital fees, and the mandatory medical insurance). Payments can be made securely via standard debit or credit cards.
Receive Instant Approval: Most UK applicants receive their approved eVisa via email within minutes, though it can occasionally take up to 24 hours.
Crucial Restrictions to Keep in Mind
To ensure a seamless journey and maintain compliance with Saudi law, it is critical to adhere to the following visa regulations:
The Hajj Exclusion: You cannot perform Hajj on a multiple-entry Tourist eVisa. During the Hajj season, standard eVisas will not grant you access to Makkah. If you wish to perform Hajj, you must apply for a specific Hajj visa through the Nusuk Hajj platform.
90-Day Limit: Do not exceed your 90-day stay per visit. Overstaying results in heavy daily fines, detention, and potential bans from re-entering the Kingdom in the future.
No Employment: This visa strictly prohibits engaging in any form of paid or unpaid work within Saudi Arabia. It is strictly for tourism, visiting family, and performing Umrah.
By understanding these guidelines and preparing your documents in advance, you can enjoy the spiritual and cultural wonders of Saudi Arabia with complete peace of mind.
How does the new visa work?
The multiple-entry Umrah visa is valid for 365 days from the date it is issued and lets you enter Saudi Arabia several times, up to 90 days in total (checked November 2026). The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced it on 20 July 2026, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
The visa switches off each time you leave the country and switches on again once the requirements for your next trip are met. Those requirements are a service package bought from an approved provider on Nusuk and an Umrah permit issued in the Nusuk app before you travel.
What are the conditions for each trip?
- Every entry needs its own Nusuk service package, bought for that trip.
- The package cannot run past the days left on the visa.
- An Umrah permit must be issued in Nusuk before arrival.
- The visa is not valid during the annual Hajj season.
The 90 days are shared across the year rather than reset on each visit. Two 14-night trips use 28 of them, leaving 62 for later visits within the 365 days.
Other ways to visit more than once
Two other Saudi permissions already allow repeat visits, which matters if your passport qualifies for them. The tourist eVisa lasts a year with up to 90 days in total, and the ETA for British citizens lasts 730 days with up to 180 days in total.
| Option | Valid for | Total stay | Who can get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple-entry Umrah visa | 365 days | 90 days | Pilgrims booking through Nusuk providers |
| Tourist eVisa | 365 days | 90 days | 66 listed nationalities and some UK residents |
| Saudi ETA | 730 days | 180 days | British citizens |
British passport holders can compare all their options in our British Umrah visa guide.
Who benefits most?
The visa is most useful for people whose passport is not on the eVisa list but who want two or more trips in a year. For many UK residents holding Egyptian, Iraqi, Kenyan or Sri Lankan passports, it removes the need for a fresh visa each time.
It also suits families planning a winter trip and a return visit in Ramadan. Our family Umrah packages and Ramadan packages can be quoted together so the dates fit inside one visa year.
It is less useful for a single trip, because a standard Umrah visa does the same job without a shared allowance to track. If you are unsure whether you will return within the year, start with a single-entry visa.
Timing your visits around Hajj
Because the visa is not valid in Hajj season, plan visits between mid-Dhu al-Hijjah and early Shawwal. Last season, Umrah visas stopped being issued on 1 Shawwal and the final entry date was 15 Shawwal; we confirm 2027 dates when they are announced.
For 2027, that makes November to early March the main window, with Ramadan expected to start around 8 February 2027, subject to moon sighting. A visa issued in, say, November 2026 would cover a winter trip and a Ramadan return.
What we need from you
When you request a quote, tell us how many trips you are planning and roughly when. We will say in writing whether the multiple-entry visa, a single-entry Umrah visa per trip or your own eVisa makes more sense. Use the contact page or WhatsApp to send the details.
The multiple-entry route is new, and we are still seeing how providers price and process it. We confirm the current fee on your quote and will not suggest it if a single-entry visa is simpler for your plans.
An example year
Imagine a pilgrim who takes a 10-night trip in December 2026 and a 14-night trip in Ramadan 2027 on the same visa. That uses 24 of the 90 days, and each trip has its own Nusuk package and permit.
If the same pilgrim wanted a third trip after Hajj, the visa would still be valid if fewer than 365 days had passed since issue. Each trip still has to avoid the Hajj blackout dates.
Common misunderstandings
Some people assume the visa lets them stay for a year; it does not, because total days are capped at 90. Others think one Nusuk booking covers every trip, but each entry needs its own package and permit.
It also does not change the six-month passport rule or the meningitis ACWY requirement. If your passport expires within the year, the visa will be cut short by it, so renew first.
