British travellers now have three ways to enter Saudi Arabia for Umrah. We compare the new Saudi ETA, the tourist e-Visa and the electronic visa waiver, then cover Nusuk permits, the meningitis vaccine and Ramadan 2027 timing.
Getting an Umrah visa from the UK has never been easier, but it has also never been more confusing. Since Saudi Arabia introduced the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) in 2026, British passport holders can choose between three different permits that all allow Umrah outside the Hajj season. This guide explains each option in plain English, tells you which one suits your trip, and lists everything else you need before you fly: the Nusuk permit, the meningitis vaccine and your passport. Everything below was checked against the UK Foreign Office travel advice for Saudi Arabia, last updated on 17 October 2026.
Umrah visa from the UK at a glance
For full British citizen passport holders
Do British citizens need a visa for Umrah?
Yes. Every visitor to Saudi Arabia needs permission to enter, and Umrah is no exception. The good news is that you no longer need a special pilgrimage visa arranged through an agent. According to GOV.UK travel advice, British citizens can perform Umrah outside the Hajj season on any of three permits: the Saudi ETA, the tourist e-Visa or the electronic visa waiver (EVW). Each has different validity, length-of-stay and insurance rules, so the right choice depends on how often you travel and how long you plan to stay.
Option 1: The Saudi electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
The ETA is the newest route and the most flexible for frequent travellers. It covers tourism, business, study, medical treatment and Umrah outside the Hajj season. An ETA is valid for 730 days from the date of issue and allows multiple entries, with a maximum of 180 days in Saudi Arabia across that two-year period. You apply online before you travel. One important detail: the ETA does not include health insurance, so you should buy a travel insurance policy that covers medical treatment in Saudi Arabia before you fly.
Option 2: The Saudi tourist e-Visa
The tourist e-Visa is the route most UK pilgrims have used since Saudi Arabia opened to tourism. It is valid for 365 days from issue, allows multiple entries, and lets you spend up to 90 days in total in the country during that year. You can apply online through the official Visit Saudi e-Visa portal or on arrival at Saudi Arabia’s international airports. Its biggest advantage for families and older pilgrims is that it includes health insurance for your visit, covering up to 100,000 Saudi riyals of medical costs. You may still want additional cover for flights, cancellations and costs above that limit.
Option 3: The electronic visa waiver (EVW)
The visa waiver suits a single, longer trip. It allows one entry and a stay of up to 180 days, and it can be used for tourism, business, study, medical treatment and Umrah outside the Hajj season. You must apply at least 48 hours before your flight and no more than 90 days in advance, and you will be asked for your flight details. Like the ETA, the visa waiver does not include health insurance. Visas issued before the ETA was introduced remain valid under their original conditions, so if you already hold a valid permit, check its dates before applying again.
Which Umrah visa should you choose?
If you are going once, for example a ten-day Umrah during the last nights of Ramadan, the tourist e-Visa is usually the simplest choice because the health insurance is already built in. If you expect to return to Makkah and Madinah several times over the next two years, the ETA saves you from reapplying, as long as you arrange your own insurance. If you are planning one long stay of several months, the visa waiver gives you the longest single visit. Travelling with elderly parents or young children? Insurance matters more than flexibility, which again points to the e-Visa.
Booking Umrah as a package instead
Many British families prefer not to handle the paperwork themselves. When you book one of our Umrah packages from the UK, flights, hotels near the Haram and transfers are arranged together, and our team will guide you through the visa and Nusuk steps that apply to your passport. Departures are available from London, Manchester and Birmingham. If you are still comparing budgets, our Umrah prices guide shows what is included at each level. Our guide to Umrah flights from the UK compares direct and connecting routes.
Beyond the visa: Nusuk, vaccines and your passport
A visa gets you into the country, but it is not the only document you need. First, you must book your Umrah slot through the official Nusuk app; the same app is used to reserve a visit to the Rawdah in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Second, Saudi Arabia requires a certificate showing you received the quadrivalent ACWY meningitis vaccine at least 10 days before you arrive. Third, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival date. GOV.UK also warns that you may be refused entry if your passport shows travel to, or birth in, Israel. Use our Umrah checklist and packing list so nothing is forgotten. Our guide on how to book the Rawdah in Nusuk explains the rules and the instant route.
How much does an Umrah visa cost from the UK?
Official fees are set by the Saudi authorities in riyals and change from time to time, so always check the live price on the official portal at the moment you apply. When comparing options, look at the total rather than the headline fee: the e-Visa price includes medical insurance, while for the ETA and visa waiver you need to add the cost of your own policy. Be careful with unofficial websites that look like government portals but add large service charges. A licensed agent may charge more than the official fee, but that should be clearly itemised and usually comes with help on Nusuk bookings.
Timing your visa for Ramadan 2027
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, subject to the moon sighting, and it is the busiest Umrah season of the year. Apply for your permit as soon as your flights are confirmed, and remember that a visa waiver can only be requested within 90 days of travel. Book your Nusuk Umrah slot and any Rawdah visit early, because availability during the last ten nights is limited. You can see departure dates and hotels for that period on our Ramadan Umrah 2027 page, or read when is the best time for Umrah if your dates are flexible. Note that around Hajj, Saudi authorities restrict non-Hajj visitors from flying into Jeddah, Madinah and Taif. The expected dates are in our guide to when Ramadan 2027 starts in the UK.
How to avoid Umrah scams in the UK
The UK government warns that organised crime groups target people planning Umrah and Hajj, often older travellers. Make sure any travel company you book with is ATOL protected, research it before paying even if friends recommended it, pay by credit card where possible, and get every promise confirmed in writing with clear terms and conditions. Be wary of deals that look too good to be true. If you think you have been targeted, contact your local police or Action Fraud.
Umrah visa UK: frequently asked questions
Can I perform Umrah on a tourist visa?
Yes. The tourist e-Visa, the ETA and the visa waiver all allow Umrah outside the Hajj season. You still need a Nusuk Umrah permit and the meningitis vaccine certificate.
I live in the UK but I am not a British citizen. Which visa do I need?
The guidance above applies to full British citizen passports. Eligibility for other nationalities depends on your passport and residence status, so check the official Visit Saudi portal or ask the Saudi Embassy in London. Our team can also check which route applies to you when you enquire about a package.
Can I use these permits for Hajj?
No. Hajj requires a separate Hajj visa, and from the UK a Hajj place can only be booked through the official Nusuk Hajj platform. For the basics, read what Umrah is and how it differs from Hajj.
Explore our Umrah packages from the UK or read our 2027 UK Umrah packages guide.
Yuusr.com helps pilgrims from the UK, Europe and around the world plan Umrah with confidence: flights, hotels close to the Haram in Makkah and Madinah, transfers and guidance on visas and Nusuk, all in one place.