A friend of mine in Bradford typed “Umrah visa online” into a search engine last spring, clicked the first result, and paid £189 for what turned out to be the standard Saudi tourist eVisa. He could have applied for the same visa himself on the official site for a little over half that price. The site he used was not exactly a scam, but it was not the official one either, and it charged him for filling in a form he could have completed in ten minutes.
Applying for an Umrah visa online from the UK is straightforward once you know which route applies to you and which website is the real one. This guide walks through both, and explains when it makes more sense to let an all-inclusive package handle the visa for you.
Most British passport holders, and many UK residents with indefinite leave to remain or settled status, can apply online for the Saudi tourist eVisa at visa.visitsaudi.com. It allows Umrah outside the Hajj period and usually costs around £100–£120 including the compulsory insurance. If you do not qualify for the eVisa, a licensed agent must lodge an Umrah visa for you through Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk system, which is one reason all-inclusive packages are popular. Either way, you also need a free Umrah permit from the Nusuk app.
Which Online Visa Route Fits You
Whether you can apply online yourself depends on your passport and your status in the UK, not simply on living here.
| Your situation | Can you apply online yourself? | Route |
| British passport | Yes | Saudi tourist eVisa |
| Other passport, with indefinite leave to remain or settled status in the UK | Usually yes | Saudi tourist eVisa, under the rule for UK permanent residents |
| Other passport, holding a UK visa you have already used to enter the UK | Usually yes | Saudi tourist eVisa, under the rule for UK visa holders |
| Other passport, not covered by the rows above | No | Umrah visa lodged by a licensed agent through Nusuk |
The rules for UK permanent residents and UK visa holders came in during 2023, and many people still do not know about them. If you are in one of those groups, check your eligibility on the official portal before you assume you need an agent. First-degree relatives of eligible residents may also qualify.
The eVisa is normally valid for a year with multiple entries and allows up to 90 days in Saudi Arabia in total. It can be used for Umrah at any time except the Hajj period, but not for Hajj itself.
Applying for the Saudi eVisa Online, Step by Step
I have done this for my own family several times. It takes about ten to fifteen minutes per person if you have everything ready.
1. Gather your documents. A passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, a clear digital photo against a white background, an email address you check, and a debit or credit card. If you are applying as a UK resident, have your residence details to hand too.
2. Go to the official portal. Type visa.visitsaudi.com directly into your browser rather than clicking an advert.
3. Create an account and start an application. Choose the tourist eVisa and select the United Kingdom as your country.
4. Fill in your details carefully. Copy your name exactly as it appears in the passport, including middle names. Most refusals and delays I have seen came from a simple typo.
5. Answer the purpose of visit. Tourism is fine; Umrah is permitted on this visa outside the Hajj period.
6. Pay the fee. The portal shows the exact amount, including the mandatory medical insurance, before you pay. Expect around £100–£120 in total. The fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.
7. Wait for the email. Approval often arrives within a few days, sometimes within hours. Download the PDF, print a copy and keep it on your phone.
If you are applying for a family, complete one application per person, including children. Use the same email for everyone so nothing gets lost.
Do not forget the Nusuk permit
The visa only lets you into Saudi Arabia. To perform Umrah at Masjid al-Haram, you need a free Umrah permit booked in the Nusuk app for a specific date and time. Download the app once your visa is approved, register with your passport, and book your slot. You also need a meningitis ACWY vaccination given at least ten days before you arrive.
Watch Out for Copycat Visa Websites
Search for “Umrah visa online” and you will see plenty of sites that look official but are not. Some are simply middlemen who charge a large fee for submitting the same form you could submit yourself. A few are outright scams that take your money and never apply at all.
Here is how I tell them apart:
• Check the web address. The official eVisa portal is visa.visitsaudi.com. The official Umrah platform is umrah.nusuk.sa. Anything else is a third party.
• Look at the price. If the total is far above the fee the official portal shows, you are paying a service charge.
• Be wary of adverts. Paid results at the top of a search page are often third-party sites.
• Never send passport scans by WhatsApp to someone you have not checked. If you want help, use an established agent with a UK address and an ATOL number.
The UK Foreign Office has warned British Muslims about pilgrimage fraud for years, and visa sites are one of the easiest ways in. If something feels off, close the page and start again from the official address.
When an All-Inclusive Package Makes More Sense
Applying online yourself saves money, but it is not always the best choice. I usually suggest an all-inclusive package in these situations:
• Someone in your group does not qualify for the eVisa. Their Umrah visa must be lodged by a licensed agent through Nusuk, with hotels and transport booked in the same system. It is simpler for the whole family to book together.
• You are travelling with elderly parents or young children. Having one company responsible for flights, transfers and hotels removes a lot of stress.
• It is your first Umrah. An agent can explain the order of things and arrange guided Ziyarat.
• You are travelling at a busy time, such as Ramadan or the Christmas holidays, when good hotels near the Haram go quickly.
A proper all-inclusive package from the UK should include return flights, the visa or full visa support, named hotels in Makkah and Madinah with their walking distance to the Haram, all transfers, at least breakfast, guided Ziyarat and someone to call on the ground.
As a benchmark, the Umrah packages all-inclusive from UK pilgrims can compare at Islamic Travel set these details out clearly and are ATOL-protected, so you can see what a complete package looks like before weighing it against applying for the visa yourself and booking separately. Outside peak times, a full package for seven to ten nights usually costs around £800–£1,200 per person, sharing a room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for an Umrah visa online from the UK?
Yes, if you hold a British passport or qualify as a UK permanent resident or UK visa holder. Apply for the Saudi tourist eVisa at visa.visitsaudi.com, which allows Umrah outside the Hajj period.
How much does an Umrah visa online cost from the UK?
Around £100–£120 including the compulsory medical insurance on the official portal. Third-party sites often charge much more for the same visa.
How long does an online Umrah visa take?
Often a few days, and sometimes only a few hours. Apply at least two weeks before you travel to be safe.
Can I get an Umrah visa online with a Pakistani passport if I live in the UK?
Possibly. If you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status, or hold a UK visa you have used, you may qualify for the Saudi eVisa. If not, a licensed agent must lodge an Umrah visa for you.
Is the visa included in all-inclusive Umrah packages from the UK?
Usually, yes, or the agent will help you apply. For anyone who does not qualify for the eVisa, the agent must handle it.
Do I need anything apart from the visa?
Yes. You need a free Umrah permit in the Nusuk app and a meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate.
Applying for an Umrah visa online is one of the easiest parts of planning the journey, as long as you use the official site. Get that right, sort your Nusuk permit, and you can turn your attention to the trip itself.
