Umrah visa for US citizens: options, fees and rules
US citizens have 3 ways to enter Saudi Arabia for Umrah. The lowest fee is SAR 52.50 (about US$14) for the stopover visa. These are Saudi government rules, each with its source. They are separate from religious guidance.
The options and their fees
| Visa | Fee per person | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa | SAR 395about US$105 | Apply online before you go, or get it on arrival. Saudi Arabia's tourism site says it can be used for Umrah outside the Hajj season. Medical insurance is included in the fee.Includes the application fee and medical insurance. The fee is not refundable.Visit Saudi, visa regulations, checked 10 November 2026 |
| Umrah visa | SAR 300about US$80 | Issued through Nusuk Umrah or a licensed agent. The Ministry says it cannot be issued without a service package (hotel and transport), so it only partly fits a do-it-yourself trip.The Ministry calls this an estimate. It is the visa fee only: the package it must come with is priced separately and no price is published.Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, questions and answers, checked 10 November 2026 |
| Stopover visa | SAR 52.50about US$14 | For a stay of up to 96 hours when you fly Saudia or flynas and break your journey in Saudi Arabia. The visa is free; you pay an application fee and insurance.Both amounts are described as rough by the source, and insurance is a starting price.Visit Saudi, visa regulations, checked 10 November 2026 |
Converted at 0.2667 USD to the riyal. Rate: Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), checked 10 November 2026
Tourist visa: the rules
- You can use the tourist visa to perform Umrah, but not during the Hajj season.Visit Saudi, visa questions, checked 10 November 2026
- A multiple-entry visa is valid for one year and allows up to 90 consecutive days per stay.Visit Saudi, visa regulations, checked 10 November 2026
Umrah visa: the rules
- An Umrah visa cannot be issued without a service package covering accommodation and transport.Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, questions and answers, checked 10 November 2026
- For the 1448 AH season, Umrah visas stop being issued on 9 March 2027 and the last day to enter on one is 23 March 2027.Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Umrah season calendar for 1448 AH, checked 10 November 2026
Stopover visa: the rules
- The stopover visa allows a stay of up to 96 hours and can be used to perform Umrah.Visit Saudi, visa regulations, checked 10 November 2026
- It allows a stay of up to 96 hours.
When these visas can be used for Umrah
- The Umrah visa has a season. For 1448 the last day to enter on one is 23 March 2027 and the last day to leave is 7 April 2027.Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Umrah season calendar for 1448 AH, checked 10 November 2026
- In 1447 (2026) Umrah permits were suspended from 18 April to 31 May, and from 18 April holders of every kind of visa except a Hajj visa were not allowed to enter or remain in Makkah. The dates for 1448 have not been announced; the same Hijri dates would be about 8 April 2027 to 20 May 2027.Saudi Ministry of Interior, Hajj season arrangements 1447 AH, checked 10 November 2026
Before you travel
- A valid passport. Saudi Arabia's tourism site sets a six-month validity rule and says it does not apply to citizens of the United States.Visit Saudi, visa regulations, checked 10 November 2026
- Meningococcal (ACYW) vaccine, at least 10 days before you arrive. Saudi Arabia's health ministry requires it of everyone performing Umrah, from every country: a conjugate vaccine within the last 5 years, or a polysaccharide vaccine within the last 3. Keep the certificate with the vaccine's name and date. The published document is the 1447 AH (2026) edition; no later edition was posted when this was checked.Saudi Ministry of Health, health requirements for Umrah 1447H (2026), checked 10 November 2026GOV.UK, pilgrimage advice for Saudi Arabia, checked 10 November 2026
- Medicines in their original packaging, enough for the whole trip. Saudi Arabia's health ministry asks pilgrims to carry sufficient quantities of their medications in original packaging. Medicines that contain narcotic or psychotropic substances need a personal clearance permit from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, for no more than a 30-day supply or the length of your stay, whichever is shorter.Saudi Ministry of Health, health requirements for Umrah 1447H (2026), checked 10 November 2026Saudi Food and Drug Authority, permits for pilgrims' medicines, checked 10 November 2026
- Nusuk app installed and registered. The Ministry says visitors can register from outside the Kingdom once they hold a valid visa, so do this after the visa arrives.Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, questions and answers, checked 10 November 2026
- Umrah permit booked in Nusuk (free). Entry to the Haram to perform Umrah is tied to the time on your permit. Entering to pray needs no permit.Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Umrah permit application, checked 10 November 2026Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, questions and answers, checked 10 November 2026
- Rawdah permit booked in Nusuk if you are going to Madinah (free). Praying in the Prophet's Mosque needs no booking. Praying in the Rawdah does.Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Rawdah permit, checked 10 November 2026Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, questions and answers, checked 10 November 2026
- Declare cash or jewellery worth SAR 40,000 or more. Saudi customs also asks travellers to declare gifts or personal purchases worth SAR 3,000 or more, and goods in commercial quantities.Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, what to declare, checked 10 November 2026
What the US Department of State says now
“Level 3: Reconsider travel”. Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to risk of drone and missile targeting of American interests by Iran and the Iranian-supported Houthis, armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans , and local laws regarding social media activity. Updated 22 October 2026. US Department of State, Saudi Arabia travel advisory, checked 10 November 2026
Questions about Umrah visas from the USA
How much is a visa for Umrah from the USA?
The tourist visa is SAR 395, about US$105, per person. The umrah visa is SAR 300, about US$80, per person. The stopover visa is SAR 52.50, about US$14, per person. Fees were read from the sources named on this page on 10 November 2026.
What is the tourist visa and can it be used for Umrah?
Apply online before you go, or get it on arrival. Saudi Arabia's tourism site says it can be used for Umrah outside the Hajj season. Medical insurance is included in the fee. You can use the tourist visa to perform Umrah, but not during the Hajj season.
What is the umrah visa and can it be used for Umrah?
Issued through Nusuk Umrah or a licensed agent. The Ministry says it cannot be issued without a service package (hotel and transport), so it only partly fits a do-it-yourself trip. An Umrah visa cannot be issued without a service package covering accommodation and transport.
What is the stopover visa and can it be used for Umrah?
For a stay of up to 96 hours when you fly Saudia or flynas and break your journey in Saudi Arabia. The visa is free; you pay an application fee and insurance. The stopover visa allows a stay of up to 96 hours and can be used to perform Umrah.
Is a permit needed for Umrah as well as a visa?
Umrah permit booked in Nusuk (free). Entry to the Haram to perform Umrah is tied to the time on your permit. Entering to pray needs no permit.
Plan the rest
- Plan Umrah from New YorkWith the visa fee already in the budget.
- Plan Umrah from ChicagoWith the visa fee already in the budget.
- Plan Umrah from HoustonWith the visa fee already in the budget.
- Plan Umrah from DallasWith the visa fee already in the budget.
- The Umrah calendar
- Visa options for other countries