Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca and sits among the acts of devotion in Islam. Often called “the lesser pilgrimage”, it takes place in the city of Mecca and can be performed at any time of the year except for the Hajj season. People perform their rituals seeking closeness to God. The journey carries importance, though it is not a pillar of Islam. Muslims often choose to go when they feel ready, and there is no set obligation upon them.
But what is Umrah, how does it differ from Hajj, and what visa types might you need in order to perform Umrah? If you have any of these questions, you can find the answer within the following text.
What’s the Duration of Umrah
The actual rituals of Umrah can be completed in several hours. Many pilgrims, however, stay longer in Mecca to:
- Spend more time praying at Masjid al-Haram in Mecca
- Perform multiple Umrahs during their visit
- Visit religious sites in Mecca
- Travel to Madinah to pray at the Prophet’s Mosque
So there’s no single answer to how long does Umrah take. Pilgrims adjust their stay based on personal schedules, budgets, and spiritual intentions. The usual duration of an Umrah trip is 7, 11, or 21 days.
Types of Umrah Visas
Travelers to Saudi Arabia can perform Umrah on any visa type, and we are going to discuss the most popular visas for Umrah in the following section.
Saudi eVisa (Saudi Tourist eVisa)
Nationals of most countries (except for nationals of the GCC) need a visa to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia issues a Saudi Tourist eVisa to citizens of many eligible countries. It allows visitors to perform Umrah (except during the Hajj season).
The eVisa is the recommended option since you won’t need to make any trips to any agencies, as the process is entirely electronic. It is also more affordable and allows multiple entries.
Key details include:
- Valid for one year
- Allows multiple entries
- Maximum stay of 90 days
- Requires a separate Umrah permit for entering specific holy sites
- The Saudi Arabia evisa simplifies travel but does not permit Hajj.
- To apply, you will have to complete a Saudi evisa application and wait for approval, which generally takes around 72 hours.
Traditional Umrah Visa
For many pilgrims, the traditional Umrah visa remains common. This visa:
- Is arranged through licensed travel agencies
- Grants a single-entry permit
- Requires proof of hotel bookings and return flights
- Has validity dates determined by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Pilgrims must obtain the Umrah permit
- Pilgrims must exit Saudi Arabia before the visa expires.
Umrah Permit
Regardless of visa type, pilgrims need an Umrah permit to perform the rituals inside Masjid al-Haram. This permit:
- Is obtained through official apps like Nusuk
- Controls the number of pilgrims allowed at each time slot
- Helps manage crowd safety, especially during busy seasons
- Assigns specific times for entry
- Pilgrims apply for the permit shortly before their planned Umrah date.