Hajj vs Umrah visas 2026: What Indian pilgrims must know as Saudi Arabia bars visit visas, tightens entry normsSaudi Arabia has implemented stricter entry rules for Hajj 2026, barring visit visa holders and requiring official permits for access to ho...
20 Apr, 2026, 12.36 PM IST
Saudi Arabia bars visit visa holders from Hajj, entry restricted without permitSaudi Arabia has prohibited all visit visa holders from performing Hajj this year, restricting entry to Mecca and holy sites solely to thos...
19 Apr, 2026, 10.40 AM IST
Saudi Arabia restricts Makkah entry from April 13; permit mandatory for residents and foreign nationalsSaudi Arabia has implemented new Hajj season regulations. Foreign nationals and residents without official permits are barred from entering...
13 Apr, 2026, 09.56 AM IST
Saudi Arabia extends validity of visit visas till April 18 as travel disruptions persistSaudi Arabia is offering a lifeline to foreigners with expired visit visas and exit permits. The Kingdom has extended these documents until...
26 Mar, 2026, 12.05 PM IST
Saudi Arabia eases Umrah departure rules, warns pilgrims against visa overstaysSaudi Arabia has implemented new measures to expedite Umrah pilgrim departures, mandating exits by April 18 to avoid penalties. Overstayers...
24 Mar, 2026, 11.35 AM IST
Saudi Arabia sets Umrah visa, travel deadlines ahead of HajjSaudi Arabia has set strict deadlines for Umrah visas and pilgrim travel to ensure a smooth transition to the Hajj season. Umrah visas will...
20 Mar, 2026, 01.06 PM IST
War in the Middle East ensnares many Muslim pilgrims in travel chaosThousands of Muslims performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia face travel chaos due to the Middle East war. Many are stranded, with return flights ...
07 Mar, 2026, 09.56 AM IST
Saudi Arabia issues Umrah guide in 16 languages for overseas pilgrimsSaudi Arabia has launched a new digital guide for international pilgrims performing Umrah. This guide is available in 16 languages, making ...
24 Feb, 2026, 05.08 PM IST
Saudi Arabia shortens Umrah visa validity to one month; unused visas to be cancelled after 30 daysSaudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reduced Umrah visa validity to one month from issuance, with unused visas automatically cance...
31 Oct, 2025, 12.26 PM IST
All types of visa holders now eligible to perform Umrah in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that all foreign nationals holding any valid visa can now perform Umrah. This significa...
06 Oct, 2025, 10.21 AM IST
Saudi Arabia resumes e-visa, Umrah visa services after Hajj concludesSaudi Arabia has reactivated its e-visa system for tourists and Umrah pilgrims after the Hajj pilgrimage concluded, starting June 10. Trave...
14 Jun, 2025, 12.30 PM IST
Saudi Arabia: Umrah season calendar 2025-26 announced; important dates pilgrims must knowSaudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the Umrah season calendar for 1447/2025-2026, with international pilgrims permitted...
13 May, 2025, 03.52 PM IST
Saudi asks Pakistan to prevent beggars from entering Gulf country under Umrah visasSaudi Arabia has raised concerns about Pakistani beggars entering the Kingdom under religious pilgrimage visas and urged Pakistan to take a...
24 Sep, 2024, 06.36 PM IST
Saudi Arabia opens Umrah pilgrimage to all visa holdersSaudi Arabia has expanded access to Umrah pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, allowing individuals with any type of visa to participa...
27 Apr, 2024, 12.01 PM IST
Saudi Arabia introduces 96-hour Umrah stopover visa for Indian travelersThe Umrah Visa, valid for 90 days, enables holders to reside and travel within Saudi Arabia, ensuring an efficient and convenient pilgrimag...
06 Dec, 2023, 10.30 AM IST
Saudi Arabia removes restrictions on Hajj pilgrim numbers, age limitSaudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah tweeted, "During the opening of #Hajj_Expo 2023, H.E. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq AlRab...
10 Jan, 2023, 07.46 AM IST
Saudi Arabia empties Islam's holiest site for 'sterilisation'On Wednesday, the kingdom halted the umrah pilgrimage for its own citizens and residents. The move came after authorities last week suspend...
05 Mar, 2020, 10.47 PM IST