Overview
- Umrah visas will be automatically cancelled if holders do not enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of issuance, with the change expected to take effect next week.
- The pre-entry validity has been cut from three months to one month, while the permitted stay after arrival remains up to three months.
- Authorities report issuing more than four million Umrah visas since early June, reflecting record momentum this season.
- Adviser Ahmed Bajaeifer said the measure aims to prevent overcrowding in Mecca and Medina as arrivals increase.
- Saudi Arabia recently broadened access by allowing visitors on tourist, visit, transit, work and other visa types to perform Umrah.