Now perform Umrah any day of the year; if you’re from the GCC

Saudi Arabia has announced that citizens and residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can now perform Umrah at any time of the year. Pilgrims can enter the Kingdom through all land, air, and sea ports, with permits available via the official Nusuk app.

The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to streamline pilgrimage procedures and enhance the overall experience for worshippers.

GCC residents can now perform Umrah using various visa types, including Umrah visas from nusuk.sa, transit visas issued in partnership with Saudi Airlines and Flynas, and tourist visas available through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' portal (ksavisa.sa).


To access the holy sites, all pilgrims, whether citizens or residents, must obtain prior permits via the Nusuk app to perform Umrah and offer prayers at Rawdah Al Sharifah in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.

The Ministry resumed issuing Umrah visas for international pilgrims on June 10 and began issuing Nusuk Umrah permits the following day, June 11.

For the current Umrah season, the last day to issue Umrah visas is the first of Shawwal. Pilgrims will be allowed to enter until the 15th of Shawwal, and they must depart the Kingdom by the first of Dhul Qi’dah.

The Ministry also confirmed that new applications from external agents will not be accepted. Contracts must be finalised and documented by the first day of Shaaban next year.

About Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political and economic union of six Arab states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Established in 1981, the council aims to promote cooperation among its member countries across various fields, including economics, security, culture, and social matters.