When Does Umrah Start After Hajj? 2026-27 Season Dates, Visa Rules and Booking Tips

  • banner

Every year, once the Hajj crowds head home, the same question lands in search bars: when does Umrah Packages start after Hajj? If you’re planning a trip, you don’t want to guess. Visa dates, flight prices and hotel availability all depend on it.


For the 2026-27 season (1448 AH), Saudi Arabia resumed Umrah visa issuance on 31 May 2026, only days after Hajj ended. Pilgrims could enter Makkah and get Umrah permits through the Nusuk app from 1 June 2026. The season runs until early 2027, so you can perform Umrah right now.

Our Agents Are Online. Talk Right Now!

We understand you need quick services. Here we are to assist you immediately. Chat or talk to one of our Umrah Consultant RIGHT NOW!!!

Why Umrah Pauses Before and During Hajj

Umrah is possible nearly all year, but it stops for a few weeks around Hajj. The reason is simple: Makkah and the holy sites can only handle so many people at once.

What Happens During the Pause

  • Umrah visa issuance is suspended in the weeks before Hajj
  • Entry into Makkah is restricted to Hajj pilgrims and authorized workers
  • Hotels, transport and crowd-control systems are fully focused on Hajj operations

Why the Pause Matters to You

If you ever see “Umrah visas closed” on a travel website, it doesn’t mean Umrah has been cancelled. It means the Hajj window is active. Once Hajj wraps up, the Kingdom reopens the doors in stages.

 

Umrah Season 2026-27: Key Dates at a Glance

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced the full calendar for the 1448 AH season. Here are the milestones that matter most.

MilestoneDate (Gregorian)What It Means for You
Umrah visa issuance resumes31 May 2026Agents can start processing visas again
Entry into Makkah and Nusuk permits open1 June 2026You can book your Umrah slot in the app
Final date to issue Umrah visas9 March 2027Last day to get your visa approved
Final entry date into Saudi Arabia23 March 2027Last day to arrive for Umrah
Final departure date7 April 2027You must have left the Kingdom by then

Dates can be adjusted by Saudi authorities, so confirm with your travel agent or official channels before you book.

 

When Did Umrah Open After Hajj in Previous Years?

Looking at the pattern helps you see what’s normal.

  • 2025: Visa issuance resumed in the second week of June, with the first foreign pilgrims arriving right after
  • 2026: Visa issuance resumed on 31 May, noticeably earlier, with Makkah entry the next day

Umrah typically restarts within one to two weeks of Hajj ending. Because the Islamic calendar moves about 10 to 11 days earlier each year, the reopening date moves earlier on the Gregorian calendar over time.

 

How Umrah Reopens: Step by Step

The reopening doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a gradual process.

Phase 1: Visa Issuance Restarts

Licensed operators and service providers begin processing visas for international pilgrims. Pakistan-based agents work through approved channels linked to Saudi-approved providers.

Phase 2: Pilgrims Begin Arriving

The first flights of Umrah pilgrims land in Jeddah and Madinah. Early arrivals often find calmer mosques and better hotel rates.

Phase 3: Nusuk Permits Go Live

You need a permit through the Nusuk app to perform Umrah, and a separate permit to pray in the Rawdah in Madinah. Slots fill quickly in busy months.

Phase 4: The Season Builds

Demand climbs through autumn and winter, peaks around Ramadan, and tapers off after Eid.

 

What You Need Before You Travel

Good preparation prevents most problems at the airport and in Saudi Arabia.

Documents Checklist

Visa and Stay Rules to Remember

  • Your permitted stay can’t exceed 30 days
  • Extensions are not available
  • You must leave before the final departure date of the season

 

Best Time to Perform Umrah After Hajj

The “best” time depends on what you value most: comfort, price or spiritual atmosphere.

Best for Fewer Crowds

Early in the season, from June through the summer months, mosques are quieter. The heat is intense, though, so it’s best suited to people who handle high temperatures well.

Best for Weather

Late autumn and winter, roughly from November to February, bring much milder temperatures. This is when families and older pilgrims tend to travel.

Best for Lower Prices

Shoulder periods outside school holidays and Ramadan usually offer cheaper flights and hotels. Booking weeks or months ahead helps even more.

Best for Spiritual Experience

Many people aim for Ramadan, which is expected in February 2027, for the extra reward and atmosphere. Be ready for higher prices, heavy crowds and limited availability.

Time of YearWeatherCrowdsPrices
June – AugustVery hotLight to moderateLower
September – OctoberHot, easingModerateModerate
November – FebruaryMild and pleasantBusyHigher
RamadanCool to mildVery heavyHighest
After EidWarming upDroppingFalling

 

Umrah Packages After Hajj: What to Expect

Once the season restarts, travel companies roll out fresh packages. Here’s what typically changes.

Package Types You’ll See

  • Economy packages: shared rooms, hotels with shuttle service
  • Standard packages: better hotel category, shorter walk to the Haram
  • Premium packages: 5-star stays near Masjid al-Haram
  • Family and group packages: designed for several travelers at once

Duration Options

Packages usually range from 7 days to 30 days. The 15-day and 21-day plans are especially popular with Pakistani families.

How to Get the Best Deal

  1. Book early in the season, before demand spikes
  2. Compare offers from at least three licensed agents
  3. Ask exactly which hotels are included and how far they are from the Haram
  4. Get every inclusion and the refund policy in writing

 

Common Mistakes People Make When Planning Umrah After Hajj

Waiting Too Long to Book

Prices rise and good hotels sell out as the season gets busier. Waiting for a “better” rate often backfires.

Ignoring the Visa Deadline

The final visa issuance date is real. If you plan a trip close to the end of the season, give yourself plenty of buffer.

Skipping the Nusuk Permit

Arriving without a permit can ruin your plans, especially for Rawdah visits in Madinah.

Choosing Only Based on Price

A very cheap offer can hide poor hotel locations, extra charges or an unlicensed agent. Always verify the company.

Planning Without Checking Dates

Trip dates, final entry date and departure date must all fit within the season calendar.

 

So, when does Umrah start after Hajj? For this season, the answer was 31 May 2026, and the doors have stayed open since. If you’re planning a trip, the smartest move is to choose your travel window early, confirm the season dates, book your visa through a licensed operator, and secure your Nusuk permit as soon as possible. A little planning now means a calmer, more meaningful journey when you arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Umrah start after Hajj in 2026?

For the 2026-27 season, Umrah visa issuance restarted on 31 May 2026, with entry into Makkah and Nusuk permits available from 1 June 2026.

How long after Hajj does Umrah open?

Normally within about one to two weeks. The exact date is announced by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah each year.

Can I perform Umrah right now?

Yes. The 2026-27 season is open, and pilgrims can travel until the final entry date in March 2027, provided they hold a valid visa and permit.

What is the last date for an Umrah visa this season?

The final date for issuing Umrah visas is 9 March 2027, with the final entry date on 23 March 2027 and the final departure date on 7 April 2027.

Do I need a permit to perform Umrah?

Yes. You need to book an Umrah permit through the Nusuk app. A separate permit is required to pray in the Rawdah at Masjid an-Nabawi.

Is Umrah cheaper right after Hajj?

Often yes. Early-season months tend to have lower demand, which can mean better flight and hotel prices than Ramadan or winter holidays.

Can I stay longer than 30 days?

No. The maximum permitted stay is 30 days, and extensions aren’t possible.

Is Umrah open during the whole year?

Almost. It pauses for a short period around Hajj, then runs through the rest of the season until the announced end dates.

Need a Umrah Package at Best Price?

Get
Offer
Get
Offers