The Complete Guide to the Saudi Umrah Visa for Kenyan Passport Holders in the UK
For Kenyan Muslims, the spiritual journey to Makkah and Madinah is a profoundly cherished milestone. Historically, securing an Umrah visa on a Kenyan passport required navigating complex, paper-based applications through approved travel agencies, often resulting in rigid itineraries and higher costs.
However, if you are a Kenyan citizen residing in the United Kingdom, the process has been entirely revolutionised. Thanks to recent updates by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Kenyan passport holders with a valid UK visa or residency now qualify for Conditional Eligibility to apply for the Saudi Multiple Entry Tourist eVisa. This legally permits you to perform Umrah independently, giving you the freedom to design your own affordable travel package.
In this comprehensive 2026 guide, we will break down exactly how you can leverage your UK status to secure your Umrah visa quickly and effortlessly.
How Your UK Status Unlocks the Saudi eVisa
Under standard Saudi visa regulations, Kenya is not included in the “Group A” list of countries eligible for an automatic eVisa or Visa on Arrival. However, the Saudi government has introduced a special exception for foreign nationals holding high-tier residencies.
As a Kenyan citizen, you are fully eligible to apply for the digital Saudi Tourist eVisa if you meet one of the following “Group B” 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. (Note: If you possess a newly issued UK tourist visa, you must enter the UK with it first before it becomes valid for the Saudi eVisa system).
Expert Insight: By applying for the eVisa, you are no longer tied to specific group dates. You can book direct flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester directly to Jeddah or Madinah, and arrange your own boutique or budget-friendly accommodation in the holy cities.
eVisa vs. Traditional Umrah Visa for Kenyans
Why is the Tourist eVisa the superior choice for Kenyans living in the UK compared to a standard, agency-issued Umrah visa?
| Feature | Saudi Multiple Entry eVisa (via UK Status) | Traditional Kenyan Umrah Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Application Process | 100% Online (Approved in hours) | Paper-based via the Saudi Embassy or an agent |
| Visa Validity | 1 Year (Multiple Entry) | Usually 30 to 90 Days (Single Entry) |
| Allowed Duration of Stay | Up to 90 days per visit | Strictly tied to your agent’s itinerary |
| Freedom of Movement | Travel freely across all of Saudi Arabia | Often restricted to Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah |
| Female Travellers | No Mahram (male guardian) required | Age and Mahram restrictions may apply |
2026 Requirements for Kenyan Applicants in the UK
To ensure your digital application is approved without unnecessary delays, gather the following documents before you begin the online process:
Valid Kenyan Passport: Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining from your intended date of arrival in the Kingdom.
Proof of UK Residency or Visa: A clear, scanned copy of your UK BRP, settlement status, or the valid, used UK visa stamped inside your passport.
Digital Photograph: A recent passport-style photo featuring a solid white background (avoid heavy editing, shadows, or glare).
Payment Method: A UK debit or credit card to cover the online processing fees.
Note: While you do not need to upload medical records during the application, Saudi immigration requires all arriving pilgrims to carry a valid Meningococcal (ACWY) vaccination certificate.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online
The digital application is highly streamlined and completely eliminates the need for physical embassy appointments.
Access the Official Portal: Navigate to the official Visit Saudi eVisa website.
Select the Exception Category: When prompted for your nationality, select Kenya. The system will then ask if you hold a valid UK, US, or Schengen visa/residency. Select “Yes” and input your UK details.
Enter Personal Data: Input your personal information exactly as it appears on the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of your Kenyan passport.
Upload Documentation: Securely upload the scan of your passport bio-page and your UK BRP or used UK Visa.
Process the Payment: The fee is typically between £80 and £114 (approximately 402 to 535 SAR). This cost crucially includes both the visa processing fee and the mandatory Saudi health insurance required for your stay.
Receive Your Visa: The vast majority of applications are processed, approved, and emailed to you within 24 to 48 hours. Print a physical copy of the PDF to present to airline staff and border control.
Important Rules and Regulations to Remember
To ensure a seamless spiritual journey and maintain compliance with Saudi law, keep the following regulations in mind:
The Nusuk App is Mandatory: Once your eVisa is granted, you must download the official Saudi Nusuk App. You will need this application to book your mandatory time slots for performing Umrah and securing your prayer appointment in the Rawdah Mubarak at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
Hajj Restrictions: The Tourist eVisa legally permits you to perform Umrah throughout the year, but it cannot be used to perform Hajj. During the designated Hajj season, entry to Makkah is strictly restricted for all eVisa holders.
Respect the 90-Day Limit: Do not exceed your 90-day maximum stay per visit. Overstaying will result in severe daily fines and potential bans from re-entering Saudi Arabia.
Conclusion
Residing in the United Kingdom offers Kenyan citizens a distinct advantage, removing the traditional barriers to performing Umrah. By utilising your UK residency or visa status, you can secure a 1-Year Multiple Entry Saudi eVisa online with unparalleled ease. Ensure your documents are up to date, download the necessary applications, and embrace the freedom to plan a peaceful, customised spiritual journey that perfectly fits your schedule and budget.
Yellow fever and polio: when they apply
Saudi Arabia's Umrah health rules list Kenya as a country with a risk of yellow fever, and also require polio vaccination from travellers arriving from Kenya. Yellow fever certificates are valid for life, starting 10 days after the jab.
These rules follow where you travel from, not the passport you hold. A direct flight from Heathrow or Manchester does not trigger them, but flying on from Nairobi or Mombasa after a family visit would, so carry both certificates in that case.
Residence and the tourist eVisa
Since July 2023 Saudi Arabia has allowed permanent residents of the UK to apply for the tourist eVisa, even when their nationality is not on the list. A Kenyan with indefinite leave to remain may qualify, while someone on a Health and Care Worker visa usually will not.
If you are unsure, the Umrah visa is the reliable option. It is already part of our package price and includes cover for medical treatment.
Documents to prepare
- Kenyan passport with six months' validity after arrival in Saudi Arabia.
- Meningitis ACWY certificate from at least 10 days before arrival.
- Yellow fever and polio records if the trip starts in Kenya.
- UK eVisa linked to your Kenyan passport in your UKVI account.
Kenya replaced its older passports with the East African e-passport some years ago. If you have recently switched or renewed at the High Commission in London, update the new number in your UKVI account before travelling.
The airline checks your UK permission at check-in in Saudi Arabia, using the details in your UKVI account. Keep a share code on your phone; it lasts 90 days and can be used more than once.
Dual Kenyan-British citizens
If you hold a British passport too, travel on it and you gain the eVisa, ETA and visa waiver routes. Our British passport guide sets them out. Use one passport for the visa, flights and borders.
Choosing dates
Kenyan families in the UK often travel during school holidays. The family Umrah packages work well in the Christmas break or the February half-term, which in 2027 falls during Ramadan, expected from around 8 February, subject to moon sighting.
Umrah pauses for international pilgrims around Hajj. Last season, issuing stopped on 1 Shawwal with the last entry on 15 Shawwal; we confirm 2027 dates when announced.
Families with children on different passports
Children born in the UK to Kenyan parents may hold British passports while their parents travel on Kenyan ones. The children can then use British routes, but on a package we simply arrange the Umrah visa for everyone so the dates match.
Each child aged one and over needs the meningitis ACWY vaccine at least 10 days before arrival. Our family Umrah packages list every traveller on one written quote.
Ihram on the flight from the UK
Pilgrims flying from Britain pass the Miqat, the boundary where Ihram must be entered, while still in the air. Ihram is the state of consecration, marked for men by two white unstitched cloths, and the crew usually announce when the aircraft is near the Miqat.
Most people change into Ihram clothing at home or at the airport and make their intention on board. Women wear modest everyday clothing.
Steps after you accept a quote
- Send a photo of your Kenyan passport data page.
- Share ACWY certificates, plus yellow fever and polio records if starting in Kenya.
- Confirm your UK permission is valid for the return.
- We lodge the Umrah visa within 30 days of departure.
Problems we see most often
- Adding a stopover in Nairobi without the yellow fever certificate.
- A Health and Care Worker visa nearing its end date during the trip.
- A new e-passport not yet added to the UKVI account.
- Middle names left off the ticket.
