When family or friends come to stay, hosting Umrah guests in Makkah means you become their guide, driver and planner. A little preparation makes their first Umrah calmer and saves you a lot of phone calls. This guide sets out the official rules on visas and permits, then the practical steps, based on the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s Umrah and Visit guide.
Quick answer
Short answer: Muslim visitors on any valid Saudi visa can perform Umrah, including tourist, family visit, transit and work visas. Every guest still needs an Umrah permit, which is issued only through the Nusuk app (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah guide). On foot, Umrah usually takes two to three hours, depending on crowds.
Key takeaways
- Any visa works: the ministry says all visa holders may perform Umrah.
- One permit each: Umrah permits are issued only through the Nusuk app.
- Time needed: two to three hours on foot, or one and a half to two hours by electric cart.
- Transit option: Saudia passengers stopping over in Jeddah or Madinah can get a transit visa of up to 96 hours to perform Umrah.
Which visas allow Umrah
In October 2025 the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that all visa holders can perform Umrah. Its list includes personal and family visit visas, transit or stopover visas, work visas and the tourist e-visa (Arab News). The ministry’s guide lists three channels for visas and packages: the Nusuk Umrah platform, the Saudi Visa Platform, and authorized external agents (Umrah and Visit guide, PDF).
Two more points from the guide are useful for hosts:
- The Umrah visa allows travel between cities in the Kingdom while it is valid, so guests can also visit Madinah.
- Passengers flying Saudia with a stopover in Jeddah or Madinah can get a transit visa of up to four days (96 hours) to perform Umrah, if they have a confirmed booking to their final destination.
The Nusuk permit: one for every guest
The guide is clear that all Muslim visitors, whatever their visa, need authorization to perform Umrah, and that the permit is issued only through the Nusuk app. Help each guest set up the app and book a slot before they arrive, then save the permits on their phones. For your own permit as a resident, see our guide to booking an Umrah permit on Nusuk.
Warning
Check each permit’s date and time slot before you set out. Book a separate permit for every person who will perform Umrah, rather than assuming one booking covers the group.
Arrival day: from Jeddah airport to Makkah
The ministry’s guide lists three ways from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to Makkah: the Haramain High-Speed Railway, whose station is in Terminal 1; direct shuttle buses; and taxis or approved ride apps. SIM cards and data packages are sold in the arrival hall, and card payments (credit cards, Mada and Apple Pay) are widely accepted alongside cash.
Guests arriving by air at Jeddah should enter ihram on the plane when the crew announces the Miqat. Remind them before they fly. Our Haramain train guide explains the Makkah station and commuting tips.
Planning the Umrah itself
A simple plan for your guests’ Umrah
- Pick a realistic time. The guide says Umrah takes two to three hours on foot. During peak times such as Ramadan, waiting for an electric cart can add up to another hour.
- Agree a meeting point before you start, such as a numbered gate inside the mosque, so no one is lost if the group gets separated.
- Know the Mataf rule. The ground floor of the Mataf is for people in ihram only. Hosts who are not in ihram can wait for the group elsewhere.
- Plan for after Sa’i. The public restrooms at the Haram are not meant for showering, so guests go back to their accommodation to bathe and change. Licensed barbers are in the outer courtyards on the Marwah side and in nearby malls and hotels.
- Keep the help numbers handy. The guide lists free numbers for religious questions at Masjid al-Haram: 8001222100 and 8001222400.
Tip
Elderly parents or relatives who find walking hard can use wheelchairs or electric carts. See our guide to wheelchairs and electric carts at Masjid al-Haram, and the ministry guide for current details.
Looking after guests at home
- Let them rest first. After a long flight, many guests are tired. If their permit allows, a short rest before Umrah can make the day easier.
- Health: the guide advises seeing a doctor about chronic conditions before travel and drinking enough water. Keep our page on emergency numbers and hospitals in Makkah handy.
- Getting around: the guide notes that Makkah buses cover a wide network and reach the central area. Our Makkah bus guide explains how to use them.
- Fridays: if guests want to pray Jumu’ah at the Haram, read our Friday planning guide first.
FAQ
Can my guest perform Umrah on a tourist or family visit visa?
Yes. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said in October 2025 that all visa holders may perform Umrah, including tourist e-visa, personal and family visit, transit and work visas.
Does each guest need a Nusuk permit?
Yes. The ministry guide says all Muslim visitors need authorization to perform Umrah, and the permit is issued only through the Nusuk app.
How long does Umrah take?
The ministry guide says two to three hours on foot, depending on crowds, and one and a half to two hours with an electric cart.
Can guests visit Madinah on the same trip?
Yes. The guide says the Umrah visa allows travel between cities in the Kingdom while it is valid, by train, air or road.
Last checked 17 October 2026. Rules can change in peak seasons, so confirm on Nusuk and the ministry’s channels.
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