Umrah Visa from UK | Cost, Requirements & Online Application Guide
Planning your Umrah trip usually starts with one practical question: how do you get the visa sorted? For UK Muslims, the process has changed over the last few years, what used to mean paperwork sent through a travel agent can now often be done from your phone. But the rules, the umrah visa fee, and the documents you need still trip people up if nobody explains them properly. This guide covers what you need before you apply for umrah visa approval, whether you're booking through Meqaat Travel from UK or applying independently.
What Is an Umrah Visa?
An Umrah visa is the permission granted by the Saudi government that allows Muslims to travel to Makkah and Madinah specifically to perform Umrah. It's separate from a Hajj visa, which is only issued during Hajj season with its own quota system, and from a general tourist visa, although the two have started to overlap recently. If you're a British citizen or resident planning to perform Umrah, this is the visa for umrah you'll need before booking flights and accommodation — without it, airlines won't let you board and Saudi immigration won't let you in.
Umrah Visa vs Saudi Tourist eVisa | What's the Difference?
Technically, they're two different visa categories, but Saudi Arabia now allows tourist eVisa holders to perform Umrah too, which has blurred the line for many pilgrims. The tourist eVisa offers more flexibility, a longer validity and multiple entries — while the traditional Umrah visa is more tightly tied to the pilgrimage itself, arranged through a licensed agent and the Nusuk platform. Either route gets you to Makkah, but the paperwork isn't identical, so check which applies to you before committing.
Online Umrah Visa | How the Nusuk eVisa System Works
A few years ago, getting an Umrah visa meant handing your passport to an agent and waiting. That's changed. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah now runs the process through Nusuk, an official online platform handling everything from visa applications to hotel bookings. For UK travellers, this means the online umrah visa can often be applied for without setting foot in a travel agency. That said, "online" doesn't mean "simple" — Nusuk asks for specific information in a specific format, and small mistakes like a mismatched name or an incomplete profile can hold up an application or get it rejected. This is why most UK pilgrims still choose a licensed agent to manage the process.
Applying for an Umrah eVisa Yourself vs Through an Agent
Applying yourself gives more control and can be cheaper on paper, since there's no service fee on top of the government charge, but you're responsible for getting every detail right and sorting flights and hotels separately. Going through an agent costs a little more, but the visa, flights, accommodation and transfers are bundled into one process, and if something goes wrong, there's someone whose job it is to fix it. For first-time pilgrims especially, that tends to matter more than the extra pounds it costs.
Is the Online Umrah Visa Available to All UK Passport Holders?
British passport holders are generally eligible to apply through the eVisa system, provided their passport has at least six months' validity remaining. UK residents holding a passport from another country usually need to show a valid UK residence permit alongside it, and in some cases the online route isn't available at all, meaning the application has to go through a licensed agent instead.
How to Apply for an Umrah Visa (Step-by-Step)
The exact steps vary slightly depending on whether you go direct or through an agent, but the overall process looks like this for most UK applicants:
- Decide on your route: Apply independently through the Nusuk eVisa portal, or use a licensed travel agent to apply for umrah visa approval on your behalf.
- Gather your documents: Passport, photographs, proof of accommodation and return flights (more on this below).
- Complete the application: Either directly online, or by sending your documents to your chosen agent.
- Pay the umrah visa fee: This varies depending on the route you take and whether you're booking a full package.
- Wait for confirmation: Typically a few days for an independent eVisa, longer during busy periods or through an agent.
- Confirm your travel arrangements: once the visa is approved, your flights, hotels and transfers can be finalised.
It sounds straightforward written out like this, and for many people it is. Where it gets complicated is usually document mismatches, unclear accommodation proof, or applying too close to a busy travel period like Ramadan, when processing slows down simply because of demand.
How Meqaat Travel Handles Your Umrah Visa Application
At Meqaat Travel, we apply for your Umrah visa through the official Nusuk platform once your booking is confirmed, so it's built into the package rather than a separate task you have to chase up. We check your documents properly before submission and keep you updated throughout — one reason pilgrims who've booked affordable umrah packages with us tend to come back for their next trip.
Umrah Visa Requirements
Before you apply for umrah visa approval, whichever route you choose, you'll need to have the following ready:
- A passport valid for at least six months from your date of travel.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs, meeting the standard specifications.
- A confirmed return flight itinerary.
- Confirmed accommodation — either a hotel booking or your Umrah package confirmation.
- Proof of required vaccinations, including meningitis (ACWY) and, where applicable, COVID-19.
- A valid UK residence permit, if you're not a British citizen applying from the UK.
- A completed application form, submitted either directly or through your agent.
Missing or outdated documents are one of the most common reasons applications get delayed, so check passport expiry dates and vaccination certificates well before you plan to travel.
Requirements for Women Travelling for Umrah (Mahram Rules)
Under current Saudi regulations, women over 18 can perform Umrah without a Mahram, but must travel as part of an approved group or with a licensed package provider rather than entering independently. This has opened Umrah up to far more women travelling from the UK — solo, with friends, or as a family group. Booking with a recognised agency isn't just convenient here; it's part of meeting the requirement.
Umrah Visa Requirements for Children and Elderly Parents
Children need their own passport and photographs, and if travelling with only one parent or guardian, it's worth carrying proof of parental consent. For elderly parents, the main considerations are medical fitness and vaccination certificates — the visa requirements are the same, but agencies like Meqaat Travel often build in extra support, from wheelchair assistance at airports to hotels closer to the Haram.
Additional Documents for Non-British Passport Holders
If you hold a passport from a country other than the UK but apply from within Britain, you'll typically need your valid UK residence permit alongside your passport. Processing times can run slightly longer, and documents sometimes need to be posted rather than submitted online, so build in extra time.
Umrah Visa Cost UK | 2026 Price Breakdown
One of the most common questions we get asked is simply: how much is this going to cost? It depends on the route you take and the time of year.
As a rough guide, expect £80 to £150 for a standard eVisa if applying independently. Through a licensed agent, the fee is often folded into the overall package cost, which is generally the case with our own affordable umrah packages.
What's Included in the Umrah Visa Fee?
The core umrah visa fee typically covers the government processing charge and, in most cases, basic medical insurance required for entry. It doesn't usually cover agent service fees, express processing, or admin charges added by whoever handles your application. Always ask for a full breakdown before you pay.
Why Umrah Visa Costs Vary by Season
Prices climb during Ramadan and other peak windows because demand rises sharply while capacity stays roughly the same. Airlines raise fares, hotels near the Haram fill up months in advance, and visa processing can slow down purely from the volume of applications. Travelling outside Ramadan and school holidays is the most reliable way to keep costs down — though for many pilgrims, Ramadan specifically is the whole point, which is why we work hard to keep our cheap Ramadan Umrah Packages genuinely competitive.
Umrah Visa Cost vs Full Umrah Package Cost
The visa fee is just one part of what you'll spend overall. Your total Umrah package cost includes flights, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, transfers, and the visa itself. When you book affordable umrah packages through Meqaat Travel, the visa is included in one written price rather than an extra you discover later, which makes budgeting far more straightforward for families travelling together.
How Long Does an Umrah Visa Take to Process?
For an independent eVisa, processing usually takes two to five working days, assuming your documents are in order. Through a licensed agent it can take a little longer — typically one to two weeks — since the agent is coordinating the visa alongside flights and hotel booking. During Ramadan and other peak periods, both routes can slow down, so applying three to four weeks before your travel date gives you a comfortable buffer.
Common Reasons an Umrah Visa Application Is Rejected
Rejections are frustrating, but most come down to avoidable issues: a passport without six months of validity, mismatched details between passport, photographs and application form, missing accommodation, an incomplete Nusuk profile, or using an unlicensed agent. Booking with a Ministry-approved agency like Meqaat Travel removes much of this risk, since your application is checked before it's submitted.
Why Apply for Your Umrah Visa Through Meqaat Travel?
We're a UK-based, ATOL protected Islamic travel agency, approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and every visa we arrange goes through the official Nusuk platform — not a third party. Since 2021, more than 10,000 pilgrims have travelled with us, and we're rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google and 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Our founder, Muhammad Rehan, has performed Hajj ten times himself and leads our Hajj groups in person.
Choosing Meqaat Travel from UK means you're not left figuring out visa paperwork alone. We handle the application and combine it with flights, hotels and transfers in one clear, written price — whether you're after affordable umrah packages for a first trip or something more comfortable. With UK and Saudi contact numbers running around the clock, there's always someone to call if anything comes up.
Ready to Apply for Your Umrah Visa?
If you're ready to apply for umrah visa approval and get your Umrah booked properly, we're here to help. Call 02081788400, email [email protected], or visit us at 30 Romford Road, Stratford, London, E15 4BZ. We'll talk you about your options and give you one written quote covering the visa fee, flights and hotels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Umrah visa cost from the UK?
As of 2026, an independent eVisa typically costs £80 to £150. Through an agent, the umrah visa fee is often included in the package price.
Can I apply for an Umrah visa online myself?
Yes, through the official Nusuk eVisa portal, though many still use a licensed agent like Meqaat Travel to reduce the risk of mistakes.
What documents do I need for an Umrah visa?
A valid passport, passport photos, confirmed return flight, confirmed accommodation, and proof of required vaccinations. Non-British passport holders also need a UK residence permit.
How long does an Umrah visa take to process?
Independent eVisa applications usually take two to five working days; agent-assisted applications can take one to two weeks, especially during Ramadan.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Umrah?
Yes, either an Umrah visa or a Saudi tourist eVisa before travelling to Makkah and Madinah.
Can women travel for Umrah without a Mahram?
Women over 18 can, provided they travel with an approved group or a licensed package provider.
