Umrah 2026–2027: The New Nusuk Rules Explained (No Booking, No Visa)

Saudi Arabia has overhauled how Umrah works for the 1448 AH season (mid-2026 into spring 2027), and the changes are big enough to catch out even experienced pilgrims. The headline: Umrah now runs entirely through the Nusuk platform, and you cannot be issued a visa until your accommodation and transport are booked. Below is a clear, practical breakdown of what changed and exactly what you need to do to stay compliant. Figures and dates here were verified in July 2026 — always confirm the current rules on the official Nusuk platform before you book flights.

What changed, at a glance

• Nusuk is mandatory for every pilgrim, on every visa type.
• "No Booking, No Visa" — no Umrah visa is issued until a Nusuk-approved hotel and your ground transport are confirmed.
• The entry visa is valid for 30 days from issue (cut from three months in late 2025).
• You can still stay up to 90 days once you arrive.
• All visa types — tourist eVisa, visit, transit, work — can be used for Umrah outside the Hajj season.

1. Nusuk is now the only way in

Nusuk — the official app and portal of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — is no longer optional. Every pilgrim, whatever their nationality or visa type, must have their Umrah booked and their permits issued through Nusuk. Without a Nusuk-linked booking, an Umrah permit will not be issued, even if your passport already carries a valid visa. If Nusuk is new to you, our step-by-step Nusuk app guide covers registration and permits.

2. "No Booking, No Visa" — the rule that trips people up

This is the biggest practical change. You can no longer get the visa first and sort out the details later. The Ministry now requires the following to be confirmed before your visa is approved:

• A confirmed stay in a Nusuk-approved hotel in Makkah, Madinah, or both.
• Pre-booked ground transport — your airport transfer and any intercity travel, such as Makkah to Madinah.
• A Booking Reference Number linking those bookings, which the visa system checks before approval.

You can arrange both on Wadana Go before you apply: browse stays in Makkah and Madinah and pre-book a private airport transfer or intercity car so your transport is confirmed and ready to reference.

3. Your visa now expires in 30 days — not three months

The good news: the stay limit after you arrive is unchanged at up to 90 days, so there is still plenty of time on the ground for Umrah, Ziyarat and travel around the Kingdom. The 30-day rule only governs when you must enter.

4. Almost any visa now works for Umrah

Outside the Hajj season, Saudi Arabia accepts all common visa types for Umrah — the dedicated Umrah visa, the tourist eVisa, and visit, transit and work visas. If you are weighing the dedicated Umrah visa against the tourist eVisa, our Umrah visa vs tourist eVisa comparison breaks down which suits your trip. Whichever you use, the same Nusuk booking requirement applies.

5. Season dates and deadlines (1448 AH)

The 1448 Umrah season opened for visa issuance at the end of May 2026 and runs into spring 2027. The dates announced for the season are:

6. Your compliance checklist

1. Register on the Nusuk app with your passport details.
2. Book a Nusuk-approved hotel in Makkah and/or Madinah.
3. Pre-book your ground transport — airport transfer and any Makkah–Madinah travel.
4. Note your Booking Reference Number, then apply for the visa and enter within 30 days of issue.
5. Once in Madinah, book your Rawdah permit on Nusuk — slots open weekly and fill fast.

How Wadana Go makes this easy

Because the new rule requires a confirmed hotel and transport before your visa, having both ready in one place saves a lot of back-and-forth. On Wadana Go you can choose a stay near the Haram and pre-book a fixed-price private car — a Jeddah Airport to Makkah transfer, an intercity Makkah–Madinah car, or a Ziyarat driver — so your transport is confirmed and easy to reference when you apply. Verified drivers, transparent pricing, and meet-and-greet at the airport.

Official sources

These rules come from the Saudi authorities — always confirm the current details directly before you book:

• Nusuk — the official platform for Umrah permits, packages and bookings.
• Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — the authority behind the rules and season dates.

Rules verified July 2026. Umrah policies change from season to season, so treat this as a guide and confirm the specifics on Nusuk before you finalise your trip.