Umrah visa for US citizens: options, fees and rules for 2026–2027
How US citizens get a visa for Umrah: tourist eVisa vs Umrah visa, fees, the Nusuk permit, the 30-day rule, the Hajj-season closure and the 1448 season dates.
Updated · by the UmrahFinder team
Your three options
| Visa | Cost (approx.) | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi tourist eVisa | About SAR 535 (≈ $140) incl. insurance | 1 year, multiple entry, up to 90 days per stay | Apply online yourself. Valid for Umrah outside the Hajj season. |
| Visa on arrival | About SAR 480 (≈ $128) plus insurance | Same as eVisa | Available to US passport holders at major airports. |
| Umrah visa (through a package) | Usually $225–$250 when an operator charges it | Must enter within 30 days of issue; 90-day stay | Issued only with a Nusuk-registered package booking. |
The Nusuk permit is separate from the visa
Whatever visa you use, you need a free Umrah permit from the official Nusuk app for a specific time slot. The visa lets you enter Saudi Arabia; the permit lets you perform Umrah. Packages usually arrange this for you; on your own, you book it in the app.
Rules that catch people out
- 30-day entry window. Since late 2025, an Umrah visa is cancelled if you don't enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of it being issued.
- Hajj-season closure. Tourist and Umrah visa holders can't enter Makkah from 1 Dhul Qa'dah to 14 Dhul Hijjah. Fines reach SAR 20,000.
- Season dates for 1448. Umrah visas run from May 31, 2026; the last is expected around March 9, 2027, last entry around March 23, 2027, and departure by about April 7, 2027.
- Passport and vaccine. Your passport should be valid for at least six months, and the ACWY meningitis vaccine is required at least 10 days before arrival.
Which should you choose?
If you're booking a package, let the operator handle the visa and check whether its price includes it: many US packages add $225–$250 on top. Compare packages with the visa included. If you're travelling independently, the tourist eVisa is usually simpler and lasts a year. Rules change often; confirm on the official Saudi visa portal before you book. Information current as of November 2026.