Online Umrah Visa 2025 from Pakistan

Planning a spiritual journey to perform Umrah is a deeply cherished aspiration for Muslims around the world. If you're a resident of Pakistan seeking to embark on this spiritual voyage, obtaining an Umrah visa is a crucial step in the process. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps of acquiring an Umrah visa from Pakistan, ensuring a smooth and rewarding pilgrimage experience.

Understanding the Umrah Visa

An Umrah visa is a special travel permit that allows Muslims to visit the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia for the purpose of performing the Umrah pilgrimage. Unlike the Hajj pilgrimage, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, making it a flexible choice for Muslims seeking spiritual rejuvenation.

Eligibility Criteria

Before initiating the visa application process, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria set by the Saudi government. Generally, you must be a practicing Muslim with a valid Pakistani passport, and you should not have performed Umrah in the same Islamic year. Women under the age of 45 must be accompanied by a mahram (male relative), as per Saudi regulations.

Umrah Visa Application Process

• Choose a Licensed Travel Agent: Select a licensed and reputable travel agency in Pakistan that specializes in arranging Umrah packages and visas. These agencies are well-versed with the application process and can provide valuable guidance.
• Required Documents: Gather the necessary documents, including a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity, recent passport-sized photographs with a white background, and a completed visa application form provided by the travel agency.
• Booking Umrah Package: Most travel agencies offer Umrah packages that include transportation, accommodation, and other essential services. Choose a package that suits your budget and preferences, and book it through the agency.
• Visa Application Submission: Submit the required documents to your chosen travel agency along with the Umrah package booking. The agency will process your application and submit it to the Saudi embassy for approval.

Umrah Visa Processing Time

The processing time for an Umrah visa varies but usually takes around 7 to 10 working days. It's recommended to apply well in advance to secure your travel dates and make necessary preparations.

Visa Approval and Confirmation

Once your visa is approved, the travel agency will provide you with a visa confirmation and other necessary travel details. This confirmation is crucial for your journey and should be kept safely.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced significant changes to its Umrah visa rules for 2025 (1447H), with a major focus on enhancing the pilgrim experience, ensuring higher standards of service, and streamlining logistical management. These updates are particularly important for international pilgrims, including those from Pakistan.

New Umrah visa rules for 2025:

1. Mandatory Confirmed Hotel Bookings via Nusuk Masar

• Effective Date: The most significant new rule came into effect on June 10, 2025 (14 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH).
• No Visa Without Booking: Umrah visas will not be issued to international pilgrims without confirmed hotel bookings made through the official Nusuk Masar platform.1 This means pilgrims can no longer obtain a visa and then arrange accommodation independently.
• Ministry of Tourism Licensed Hotels: Only hotels licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism will be accepted for bookings.
• Electronic Submission and Approval: All accommodation contracts must be submitted electronically and approved on the Nusuk Masar platform before the visa application can be processed.
• Purpose: This policy aims to:
  • Protect pilgrims' rights and prevent fraud.
  • Eliminate unauthorized and fraudulent housing practices.
  • Prevent overbooking.
  • Ensure a high standard of accommodation.
  • Enhance the professionalism of service delivery.
  • Improve the experience for both visitors and Umrah performers.
  • Guarantee that pilgrims stay in licensed, compliant facilities.
• Consequences of Non-Compliance: Failure to upload verified hotel contracts through Nusuk Masar could lead to visa delays, rejection, or penalties for both pilgrims and licensed Umrah operators.

2. Elimination of "Visa Only" Applications

• Integrated Packages: This new rule reinforces that pilgrims must apply for an Umrah visa as part of a comprehensive Umrah package. This package must now include confirmed accommodation and transportation arrangements, pre-booked through an authorized travel agency.
• No Individual Visa-Only Option: The days of booking your own hotel and applying for a visa separately are over, unless all arrangements are done officially through Nusuk Masar and approved partners.

3. Updated Umrah Visa Validity and Travel Flexibility

• Extended Validity: Umrah visas are now generally issued with a validity period of 3 months (90 days). This allows pilgrims to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days.
• No Movement Restrictions: Once the visa is issued, pilgrims generally have the flexibility to travel freely within the Kingdom without specific movement restrictions, allowing for visits to other cities or sites beyond Makkah and Madinah during their 90-day stay.

4. Resumption of Visa Services Post-Hajj 2025

• Umrah Visa Applications Restarted: Following the conclusion of Hajj 2025, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that the issuance of Umrah visas resumed on June 10, 2025.
• Entry to Makkah: Entry into Makkah was once again permitted from June 11, 2025, for those with valid travel and religious permits.

5. Relaxed COVID-19 Protocols

• No Vaccination Documentation Required: Pilgrims generally do not need to provide COVID-19 vaccination documentation, unless they are confirmed to be infected or have been near infected persons.
• No PCR/Antigen Tests: No rapid antigen tests or PCR documents are required upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
• No Quarantine: Pilgrims are not required to undergo quarantine.
• Masks and Social Distancing: Masks are generally not mandatory in public places, including the Two Holy Mosques, but are still required when praying indoors.

6. Mandatory App Usage (Nusuk and Tawakkalna)

• Nusuk App: This remains the central official app for pre-booking Umrah permits, prayer permits (e.g., for Rawdah), and managing various logistics.
• Tawakkalna App: Mandatory for accessing many public venues, including mosques, restaurants, and hotels, as it contains health and vaccination records.
• Muqeem App: Registration through the Muqeem app upon arrival is no longer mandatory, though vaccinated pilgrims are encouraged to register to update their immunization status on Tawakkalna.

7. Mahram Rule for Women

• Relaxation for Group Travel (Over 45): Women over the age of 45 are generally not required to have a mahram if they are traveling within a team or group.
• Pakistani Context: While Saudi regulations have eased, Pakistani authorities may still have specific requirements regarding consent for women traveling for Umrah, even if without a mahram, provided they are in a reliable female group. It's essential to confirm with a licensed travel agency.

8. Umrah Visa Fees 2025

• The approximate base Umrah visa price is around 980 Riyal.
• The total cost for pilgrims will be part of a comprehensive Umrah package, which includes airfare, hotel accommodation, ground transportation, and other services. Prices can vary significantly based on the package inclusions, duration, and time of year.

In Summary:

The new Umrah visa rules 2025 represent a significant shift towards a more organized, digitally integrated, and controlled Umrah pilgrimage experience. The central theme is mandatory pre-booked and confirmed accommodation via Nusuk Masar as a prerequisite for visa issuance, coupled with the requirement for pilgrims to travel as part of comprehensive, pre-arranged packages through licensed operators. These measures aim to enhance pilgrim safety, ensure high service standards, and manage the growing influx of Umrah visitors efficiently.

Procedure For Getting Umrah Visa

You need to follow the following steps to obtain your umrah visa permit:

• To apply for an umrah visa, go to a Saudi government-approved travel agency in your home country. They will be responsible for getting your application approved for umrah visa 2025 online and for umrah journey preparations. Furthermore,there are various umrah packages available in various prices from which you can choose according to your budget.
• You must prepare your umrah journey documents. Confirm that your important umrah documents are updated and ready for sending to your selected travel agency. The travel agency will process your umrah application.
• Please carry out Umrah app registration. You will need to download the approved obligatory smartphone apps like Tawakkalna app (mandatory and contain vaccination records required to enter masjid, restaurants, and hotels) and Etmarna app (prayer permits linked to Tawakkalna)

Umrah Visa 2025 Requirements

There are many benefits of carrying out the umrah pilgrimage. Muslims know the value of jihad, and all wish for martyrdom in the way of Allah. However, not everyone is lucky, but you can achieve blessings equal to Jihad by doing umrah pilgrimage.

You need certain documents as follows to be submitted for obtaining an umrah visa:

• One recently taken passport photo
• Valid passport with 6 months' validity
• Official Umrah visa form
• Proof of purchased flight ticks (non-refundable)
• Proof of 'mahram' (father/brother/husband)as evidence of female pilgrims' relationship
• Covid 19 health insurance
• Vaccination proof of meningitis (not older than 3 years)

Address common queries regarding Umrah visa application, requirements, rituals, and travel preparations. Providing answers to these questions can offer clarity to prospective pilgrims.

Embarking on an Umrah pilgrimage from Pakistan is a profound and spiritually enriching endeavor. By following this guide and seeking guidance from licensed travel agencies, you can navigate the visa application process and pilgrimage rituals with ease. Remember that your intentions and sincerity are key to making your Umrah journey a truly transformative experience..

Umrah visas are available.