How UAE residents can perform Umrah in 2026–2027: who qualifies for Saudi Arabia's GCC resident eVisa, the documents, fees and insurance, the Nusuk permit, what visit-visa holders and Emirati citizens need, and how to drive or take the bus from Dubai to Makkah.
If you live in the UAE, Umrah is closer than for almost any other expat community: a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Dubai or Abu Dhabi, or a long day's drive. Since Saudi Arabia opened its eVisa to residents of the Gulf states, most UAE residents no longer need an agent to get a visa. They apply online, then book their Umrah permit in the Nusuk app. This guide explains which route applies to you, what you need, what it costs, and how to plan around the busy winter weeks in November, December and the run-up to Ramadan 2027.
Which route applies to you?
- Emirati citizens: no visa is needed. GCC nationals can enter Saudi Arabia with a valid Emirates ID or passport. You only need the Umrah permit in Nusuk. - UAE residents of any nationality (residence visa holders): apply for Saudi Arabia's GCC resident eVisa online. This is the route most expats use. - Visit-visa holders in the UAE: you are not a resident, so the GCC resident eVisa does not apply. Check whether your nationality qualifies for the standard Saudi tourist eVisa or visa on arrival; if not, you will need a visa arranged through a licensed Umrah agent. - Transit passengers: Saudi Arabia also offers a short stopover (transit) visa for passengers flying with Saudia or flynas, which some travellers use for Umrah. Check the airline's current terms before relying on it.
GCC resident eVisa at a glance
As published on ksavisa.sa and in guides updated October 2026; check before you apply
How to apply for the eVisa, step by step
1. Go to the official platform, ksavisa.sa (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and choose the tourist eVisa for GCC residents. Avoid look-alike sites that add large service fees. 2. Prepare your documents: passport scan, a clear photo, your UAE residence visa or Emirates ID details, and your expected travel date. 3. Choose the medical insurance offered during the application; it is mandatory and is added to the visa fee. 4. Pay online and keep the reference number. Many applicants receive the visa within minutes to a few days, but apply at least a week or two before travel, longer before UAE public holidays. 5. Download the visa and keep a copy on your phone and on paper. The eVisa lets you enter Saudi Arabia; it is not your Umrah booking. Hajj cannot be performed on a tourist visa.
Then book your Umrah permit in Nusuk
Every pilgrim needs an Umrah permit, issued free of charge in the Nusuk app. Once your visa is issued, register with your passport and visa details, then choose a date and time slot for Umrah. In busy periods (UAE public holidays, the December school break, Rajab and Ramadan) slots fill quickly, so book as soon as your dates are fixed. If you are visiting Madinah, book your Rawdah slot in Nusuk too. Our guide on how to book the Rawdah in Nusuk explains the rules and the instant route.
Flying or driving: Umrah from Dubai by road
By air, flights from Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi to Jeddah take about two and a half hours, and there are also direct flights to Madinah. If you fly into Jeddah, you will pass the miqat in the air, so enter ihram before landing. By road, the usual crossing is Al-Ghuwaifat (UAE) to Al-Batha (Saudi Arabia). From Dubai to Makkah via Riyadh is roughly 1,900 km, or about 18 to 20 hours of driving, so most families split the trip with an overnight stop in Riyadh. If you drive your own car, carry the vehicle registration (mulkiya), a valid UAE driving licence and Saudi car insurance (available at the border); rental cars need written permission from the rental company to cross. Coming by road from the Gulf, your miqat is Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sayl al-Kabir), so enter ihram there or before. By bus, many UAE agencies run Umrah bus trips, especially around long weekends. They are cheaper than flying but tiring: expect around a day on the road each way. Our guide to the five miqat and entering ihram on a plane explains exactly when to make your intention.
When to go: the busy weeks to plan around
Searches for Saudi visas from the UAE peak in November, ahead of the UAE National Day long weekend in early December and the winter school break. Rajab 1448 begins around mid-December 2026, and Ramadan around 8 February 2027, so the whole period from December to March is high season. If you can travel on weekdays in late October, November or early December, you will find calmer mosques and better hotel prices. If you want to perform Umrah in Ramadan, apply for the visa and book hotels by December. You can compare dates and prices on our Umrah from the UAE page; our Umrah packages from Dubai currently start from $487 per person for 8 nights (departing 30 November 2026, flights, hotels, shared transfers and visa included, at the time of writing). For the season ahead, see Ramadan Umrah 2027. Travelling in December or January? Read our guide to Umrah in Rajab 1448.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying with less than three months left on your UAE residence. Renew first, then apply. - Booking flights before the visa is issued. Choose flexible fares or wait for the visa. - Assuming the eVisa includes the Umrah permit. It does not; book Nusuk separately. - Using unofficial visa websites. Only apply on the official Saudi platform or through a licensed agent. - Forgetting the miqat on the road or in the air. Plan where you will enter ihram before you set off.
Frequently asked questions
Can UAE residents perform Umrah on a tourist visa? Yes. The GCC resident eVisa allows Umrah outside the Hajj season, together with a Nusuk permit. Can I perform Umrah on a UAE visit visa? Not with the GCC resident eVisa. You will need a visa based on your nationality or one arranged by a licensed agent. How long does the eVisa take? Often minutes to a few days, but apply at least one to two weeks before you travel. Do children need their own visa? Yes. Each family member, including children, needs their own visa and Nusuk permit.
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