The Complete Guide to the Saudi Umrah Visa for Philippine Passport Holders in the UK
For Filipino 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 Philippine passport required applying through a licensed travel agency, securing a sponsor, and purchasing a fixed package.
However, if you are a Filipino citizen living in or visiting the UK, the process is now remarkably simple. Under Saudi Arabia’s revised digital visa system, Philippine passport holders with a valid UK visa or UK residency qualify for “Group B” Conditional Eligibility. This grants you the ability to apply for the highly flexible Saudi Multiple Entry Tourist eVisa, allowing you to perform a DIY Umrah independently.
In this comprehensive 2026 guide, we will outline how you can leverage your UK immigration status to secure your Saudi Umrah visa online.
The “UK Resident” Advantage: Unlocking the eVisa
While the Philippines is not on the standard list of eligible countries for the standalone Saudi eVisa, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has granted a special exemption for high-tier visa holders.
As a Philippine passport holder, you are fully eligible to apply for the online Saudi Tourist eVisa if you meet one of the following criteria:
You hold a valid UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or permanent residency.
You hold a valid UK Standard Visitor Visa that has been used at least once. (Note: If you have a newly issued UK visa, you must enter the UK and receive an entry stamp before it becomes valid for the Saudi eVisa).
Expert Insight: By securing this eVisa, you can perform a completely independent Umrah. You do not need a Saudi sponsor, a recruitment agency, or an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), as this is strictly a tourist and pilgrimage visa, not a work permit.
Traditional Umrah Visa vs. Saudi eVisa for Filipinos
Why should a Filipino in the UK opt for the Tourist eVisa rather than a traditional Umrah visa processed by an agency?
| Feature | Saudi Multiple Entry eVisa (via UK Status) | Traditional Philippine Umrah Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Application Method | 100% Online (Approved in 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 strictly to your agency’s schedule |
| Flexibility | Travel anywhere in Saudi Arabia freely | Often restricted to Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah |
| Mahram Rule | Not required for female travellers | Varies by agency and age restrictions |
2026 Requirements for Filipino Applicants in the UK
To ensure your application is processed smoothly and without rejection, gather the following documents before starting:
Valid Philippine Passport: Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining from your intended date of arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Proof of UK Status: A clear digital scan of your UK BRP, settlement status, or the valid, used UK visa sticker stamped inside your passport.
Passport-Style Photo: A recent, high-quality digital photograph with a solid white background.
Payment Card: A valid UK debit or credit card to cover the online processing fee.
Note: You must carry a valid Meningococcal quadrivalent (ACWY) vaccination certificate when travelling, as it is a mandatory health requirement for all pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia.
How to Apply for the Umrah eVisa Online (Step-by-Step)
The application process is entirely digital, saving you the hassle of visiting the Saudi Embassy in London.
Visit the Official Portal: Go directly to the official Visit Saudi eVisa website.
Select the Exemption Category: When prompted for your nationality, select the Philippines. The system will ask if you hold a valid UK, US, or Schengen visa/residency. Select “Yes” and input your UK details.
Fill in Personal Data: Enter your personal information exactly as it appears on the bio-page of your Philippine 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 fee is generally between £80 and £114 (approximately 402 to 535 SAR). This cost conveniently includes the mandatory Saudi health insurance required for your stay.
Receive Your eVisa: Approved eVisas are typically emailed as a PDF within 24 to 48 hours. Print a physical copy to present to airline staff and immigration officials.
Crucial Restrictions to Keep in Mind
Hajj is Excluded: The Tourist eVisa permits you to perform Umrah, but it cannot be used to perform Hajj. During the Hajj season, entry to Makkah is heavily restricted and eVisa holders will be turned away.
Download the Nusuk App: Once your visa is granted, you must download the official Saudi Nusuk App. You will need this to book your mandatory time slots for performing Umrah and praying in the Rawdah Mubarak in Madinah.
No Employment: This visa strictly prohibits engaging in any form of paid or unpaid work within Saudi Arabia.
Conclusion
For Filipino Muslims residing in the United Kingdom, performing Umrah has never been more accessible. By utilising your UK residency or visitor visa, you can bypass complex agency procedures and secure a 1-Year Multiple Entry Saudi eVisa online. Prepare your documents, plan your itinerary, and embark on a peaceful, self-guided spiritual journey to the holy cities at your own pace.
Working in the UK on a sponsored visa
A Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa does not stop you travelling for Umrah, but it does not count as permanent residence for the Saudi eVisa either. The Umrah visa is therefore the route for most Filipino workers.
Shift rotas are often set weeks ahead, so agree leave before we book flights. A 7-night package uses three nights in Makkah and four in Madinah, which fits within a single week of annual leave plus travel days.
Married names and passport surnames
Philippine passports often show a married surname, sometimes with the maiden name as a middle name. Your ticket, visa and Nusuk account must copy the passport exactly, even if your NMC registration or payslip uses another form.
If you have changed your name since your passport was issued, travel on the passport as it is, or renew it first. Do not book under a name that does not appear in the passport.
Once you have indefinite leave
After settling in the UK, a Filipino citizen with indefinite leave to remain may be able to apply for the Saudi tourist eVisa through the residence rule introduced in July 2023. The portal decides each application, so check before relying on it.
Documents to prepare
- Philippine passport valid for six months after arrival in Saudi Arabia.
- Meningitis ACWY certificate, vaccine given at least 10 days before arrival.
- UK eVisa linked in your UKVI account to the Philippine passport.
- Confirmation of leave from your employer before flights are booked.
If you renewed your passport at the Philippine Embassy in London, update the new number in your UKVI account straight away. The old number will not match the passport you carry.
The airline checks your UK status at check-in for the flight home. Make sure your work visa is still valid on that date, and carry a share code in case of a query.
Travelling as a woman or with a friend
Current Saudi rules allow women of any age to perform Umrah without a mahram in an organised group; rules can change, so we confirm when you book. Our women's Umrah packages suit friends travelling together, and the guide on Umrah without a mahram explains the details.
Timing and the Hajj closure
Umrah closes to international pilgrims for several weeks around Hajj. Last season, visas stopped being issued on 1 Shawwal and the final entry date was 15 Shawwal; we confirm 2027 dates when announced.
Winter months are cooler, with Makkah daytime highs around 31 to 32°C in December and January, which many first-time pilgrims find easier for tawaf, the seven circuits of the Kaaba.
Your first Umrah: what to expect
Flights from the UK cross the Miqat, the boundary for entering Ihram, before landing in Jeddah. Ihram is the state of consecration for Umrah; women wear modest everyday clothing and men wear two white unstitched cloths.
After immigration, our coach takes you to Makkah to check in and perform Umrah: tawaf around the Kaaba, then sa'i, walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa. Later the group moves to Madinah.
Fitting Umrah around shifts
Care homes and hospital wards often plan rotas several weeks ahead. Ask for leave first, then accept the quote, because the price is only fixed once we confirm it in writing.
Overnight flights after a long shift are tiring, so leave a rest day before departure if you can.
Bank or agency staff with flexible hours may find it easier to travel outside school holidays, when package prices are often lower.
Steps after you accept a quote
- Send a photo of your Philippine passport data page.
- Share your ACWY certificate.
- Confirm your UK visa end date and approved leave.
- We lodge the Umrah visa within 30 days of the flight.
