The Complete Guide to the Saudi Umrah Visa for Tunisian Passport Holders in the UK
For Tunisian Muslims residing in the United Kingdom, the spiritual journey to Makkah and Madinah is a profoundly significant milestone. Historically, securing an Umrah visa on a Tunisian passport involved submitting paperwork through the Saudi Embassy or relying entirely on an approved travel agency for a strict, pre-arranged package.
Today, the landscape has completely transformed. Thanks to Saudi Arabia’s updated digital visa regulations, Tunisian passport holders living in the UK have a distinct advantage. Because of your UK residency or visa status, you fall under “Group B” Conditional Eligibility. This allows you to apply for the highly flexible Saudi Multiple Entry Tourist eVisa, granting you the legal right to perform Umrah independently.
In this comprehensive 2026 guide, we will walk you through exactly how to leverage your UK status to obtain your Saudi Umrah visa quickly and seamlessly.
The UK Resident Advantage: Unlocking the Online eVisa
Typically, Tunisia is not on the “Group A” list of countries eligible for the standard Saudi Tourist eVisa. However, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) grants exceptions for foreign nationals holding premium visas or residencies from specific Western nations.
As a Tunisian citizen, you are entirely eligible to apply for the Saudi Tourist eVisa online if you meet one of the following mandatory conditions:
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. (Note: If you have a brand-new UK visa, you must use it to enter the UK first before it becomes a valid qualifying document for Saudi Arabia).
Expert Insight: Securing the eVisa allows you to perform a DIY Umrah. You are completely free from the constraints of rigid agency timelines. You can book your own flights from London, Manchester, or Birmingham and arrange your own boutique or budget accommodation in the holy cities.
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eVisa vs. Traditional Umrah Visa for Tunisians
Why is the Tourist eVisa the superior choice for a Tunisian residing in the UK?
| Feature | Saudi Multiple Entry eVisa (via UK Status) | Traditional Tunisian Umrah Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Application Method | 100% Online (Approved in minutes or hours) | Paper-based via a physical agency |
| Visa Validity | 1 Year (Multiple Entry) | Usually 30 to 90 Days (Single Entry) |
| Allowed Stay | Up to 90 days per visit | Tied to the specific travel package |
| Travel Freedom | Travel anywhere across Saudi Arabia freely | Often restricted strictly to holy cities |
| Mahram Requirement | Not required for female pilgrims | Depends on age and agency policies |
2026 Requirements for Tunisian Applicants in the UK
To ensure your application is approved smoothly without delays, you must gather the following digital documents before starting the process:
Valid Tunisian Passport: Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining from your intended date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
Proof of UK Status: A clear, scanned colour copy of your UK BRP, settlement status, or the valid, used UK visa stamped inside your passport.
Passport-Style Photograph: A recent digital photograph with a plain white background, free from glare or heavy editing.
Payment Method: A valid UK debit or credit card to process the application fee securely.
Note: You are also required to carry a valid Meningococcal (ACWY) vaccination certificate when travelling, as Saudi immigration officials will check this upon your arrival.
How to Apply for the Umrah eVisa Online (Step-by-Step)
The digital application process is incredibly streamlined, eliminating the need for embassy appointments. Follow these steps:
Visit the Official Portal: Go to the official Visit Saudi eVisa website.
Select the Exception Category: When prompted for your nationality, select Tunisia. The system will ask if you hold a valid UK, US, or Schengen visa/residency. Select “Yes” and input your UK credentials.
Enter Personal Details: Fill in your details exactly as they appear on the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of your Tunisian passport.
Upload Documentation: Upload the scanned copy of your passport bio-page and your proof of UK residency (BRP or used visa).
Pay the Processing Fees: The total cost typically ranges between £80 and £114 (roughly 402 to 535 SAR). This fee conveniently includes the mandatory Saudi health insurance required for your stay.
Receive Your Approval: The majority of applications are approved and emailed within 24 to 48 hours. Print the PDF document to present to airline staff and immigration officers.
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Important Rules and Travel Restrictions
To maintain compliance with Saudi law, please keep the following regulations in mind:
Hajj Season Exclusion: The Tourist eVisa legally permits you to perform Umrah, but it cannot be used to perform Hajj. During the designated Hajj season, strict entry restrictions apply to Makkah.
The Nusuk App is Mandatory: After your visa is approved, you must download the official Saudi Nusuk App. You will need this app to book your specific time slots for performing Umrah and praying in the Rawdah Mubarak in Madinah.
No Employment: The eVisa is strictly for tourism, visiting friends and family, and performing Umrah. You cannot undertake any form of paid work in Saudi Arabia.
Conclusion
Living in the United Kingdom provides Tunisian citizens with a unique and highly beneficial pathway to perform Umrah. By utilising your UK residency or visitor visa, you bypass complicated paperwork and secure a 1-Year Multiple Entry Saudi eVisa with ease. Prepare your documents, book your preferred flights, and embark on a peaceful, highly personalised spiritual journey.
A second European passport
France, Italy, Germany and other EU states are on the eVisa list. A Tunisian who also holds one of those passports can apply for the eVisa on it, which allows Umrah outside Hajj season.
Use that European passport for the whole trip, and make sure your UK permission, whether EU Settlement Scheme status or another eVisa, is linked to it. Otherwise you may be stopped when checking in for the return flight.
If you are a British citizen as well, travel on the British passport. It gives access to the eVisa, ETA and visa waiver, explained in our British passport guide, and needs no UK eVisa check.
Permanent residents and the eVisa
UK permanent residents of any nationality have been able to apply for the Saudi tourist eVisa since July 2023. A Tunisian with indefinite leave to remain may be eligible, though the portal makes the decision.
Students and workers on temporary visas should plan on the Umrah visa.
Names and spellings
Tunisian passports usually use French transliteration, such as Mohamed, Hedi or Ben Salah. Copy it exactly onto the booking, including spaces in compound surnames, because airline systems may join or split them. Hyphenated first names, such as Mohamed-Ali, may lose the hyphen on a ticket, which is acceptable if every letter matches.
Your Nusuk account must use the same spelling as the visa. If your name appears differently in the app, correct it before booking your Umrah permit.
Documents to prepare
- The passport you will travel on, valid six months beyond arrival.
- Meningitis ACWY certificate, vaccine given at least 10 days before arrival.
- UK eVisa or settled status linked to that passport.
- A UK share code, valid for 90 days, saved on your phone.
If you have renewed your Tunisian passport at the consulate in London, add the new number to your UKVI account before booking flights. The airline checks that record when you check in for the flight home.
Restrictions before Hajj
Tunisia was one of 14 countries whose nationals faced a pause on new business, family visit and tourist eVisas from April 2025, ahead of Hajj. Umrah visas kept to their own calendar, which closes for every nationality before Hajj.
Last season, issuing stopped on 1 Shawwal with the final entry on 15 Shawwal; we confirm 2027 dates when announced. For Ramadan travel, see our Ramadan Umrah packages and book early.
Many families aim for the last ten nights of Ramadan, expected to begin around 27 February 2027, subject to moon sighting. Those nights sit close to the seasonal cut-off, so early booking matters.
Students and young pilgrims
The winter break suits many Tunisian students at UK universities. Our youth Umrah packages suit groups of friends, and each student's visa depends on their own passport.
If your Graduate or Student visa is ending soon, check the dates before booking, as you need valid permission to return.
On a tight budget, compare our 3-star and 4-star options; a 7-night trip also keeps time away from lectures short.
Visiting Tunisia on the same trip
If you want to see family in Tunis or Sfax before or after Umrah, tell us first. Our packages fly from UK airports, so another start or end point changes the price.
The Umrah visa still follows the passport you travel on, and a separate return to the UK needs valid UK permission. Check too that your Tunisian passport keeps at least six months of validity for the Saudi part of the trip.
Common problems we see
- Visa applied for on the Tunisian passport, flights booked on the French one.
- Compound surnames split differently on the ticket.
- EU Settlement Scheme record still showing an old passport.
- Students travelling too close to the end of their visa.
