The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that the validity of Umrah visas which will now be limited to one month from the date of issuance, instead of the previous three months. The new rule will come into effect next week, according to a report by Al Arabiya.net.

Under this updated policy, Umrah visas will automatically be cancelled if the pilgrim does not enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of issuance. However, once pilgrims arrive, they will still be allowed to stay for up to three months inside the kingdom to perform their pilgrimage and other religious activities.

Officials explained that this change aims to manage the increasing number of visitors to Makkah and Madina, especially during the cooler months when pilgrim traffic tends to rise sharply. Ahmed Bajafar, adviser to the National Committee for Umrah and Visit, said the step will help authorities prevent overcrowding and improve crowd management during peak seasons.

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Earlier in October, Saudi authorities introduced additional regulations for Umrah pilgrims, making it mandatory to pre-book accommodation and transport through the official Nusuk or Masar platforms. These measures ensure that all logistics are verified before arrival, enhancing comfort and safety for visitors.

The kingdom has also clarified that holders of all types of visas, including tourist and family visit visas, are permitted to perform Umrah during their stay in Saudi Arabia, provided they follow official registration procedures.