Indian pilgrims perform Umrah on an Umrah eVisa issued through the Nusuk platform or a Ministry of Hajj and Umrah approved agent: SAR 535 all-in (SAR 300 visa fee plus mandatory insurance and VAT), single or multiple entry, valid for stays of up to 90 days and approved in 24 hours to 7 days. Umrah and Rawdah permits are booked free on the Nusuk app, the quadrivalent ACWY meningitis vaccine is compulsory, and Umrah visas are not issued during the Hajj season (roughly 1 Dhul Qa'dah to 15 Dhul Hijjah). Indians who hold a used US, UK or Schengen visa may instead use the 1-year tourist eVisa, which also permits Umrah outside the Hajj season.
The short version with the price card and checklist is on the Saudi Arabia Umrah visa route page. This article is the long version: who qualifies, the Nusuk and agent routes, fees and package costs, the permits, health rules, the timeline, the Hajj-season closure and the reasons applications are refused.
Who qualifies for a Saudi Umrah visa?
Any Muslim Indian passport holder may apply, with a passport valid 6 months from arrival, a photo on a white background, confirmed accommodation in Makkah and Madinah and return flights. Since 2019 women may travel without a mahram, and since 2022 the Umrah eVisa is open directly to individuals on Nusuk as well as through approved agents; children travel on their own visas with a parent. The visa is for Umrah, visiting the Prophet's Mosque and travelling within the Kingdom, and permits tourism elsewhere in Saudi Arabia during the stay.
Pilgrims on an Umrah visa may not work, study or perform Hajj. Hajj requires the separate Hajj visa allocated to India through the Haj Committee of India (about 70 per cent of the quota) and registered private tour operators (about 30 per cent), with applications opening the previous autumn. Indians already in the Kingdom on an iqama or a family visit visa, described in the Saudi family visit visa guide, perform Umrah with Nusuk permits and need no additional visa.
How much does an Umrah visa cost for Indians?
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Umrah eVisa (Nusuk or approved agent) | SAR 535 all-in | SAR 300 visa plus insurance and 15 per cent VAT; single or multiple entry |
| Tourist eVisa used for Umrah | SAR 535 all-in | Eligible Indians only; 1 year multiple entry |
| Umrah and Rawdah permits | Free | Booked on the Nusuk app by date and time |
| Approved agent service | INR 3,000 to 10,000 | Visa handling; packages priced separately |
| Umrah package from India, 10 to 14 days | INR 70,000 to 150,000 per person | Flights, hotels, transport; varies with hotel distance from the Haram |
| ACWY meningitis vaccine | INR 2,500 to 4,500 | Government or private clinic; certificate required |
| Extension beyond 90 days | Not available | Leave and re-enter on a multiple-entry visa |
The SAR 535 figure includes the medical insurance that covers emergency treatment and repatriation. Vistolane charges the SAR 535 at the official rate and shows the agent and package costs separately on the Saudi Arabia destination page.
How do the Nusuk route and the approved agent route compare?
| Feature | Nusuk (individual) | Approved Umrah agent |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies | The pilgrim online | The agent on the pilgrim's behalf |
| Fee | SAR 535 all-in | SAR 535 plus agent service and package |
| Bookings | Pilgrim arranges hotels, flights, transport | Included in the package |
| Permits | Pilgrim books on the Nusuk app | Agent or pilgrim books |
| Time | 24 hours to 7 days | 24 hours to 7 days; agents handle peaks |
| Best for | Repeat pilgrims, families with Gulf experience | First-time pilgrims, groups, elderly travellers |
Approved agents are listed on the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah portal; Indian agents must also be registered with the Ministry of Minority Affairs' operator list for Hajj but not for Umrah, so check the Saudi listing. Group Umrah from India peaks in Ramadan, the winter school holidays and after Hajj in Muharram.
What are the health and entry rules?
The ACWY meningococcal vaccine must be given at least 10 days before arrival and within the previous 3 years (5 years for conjugate vaccines), with the certificate carried alongside the passport. Oral polio vaccine is required from travellers whose Indian state has reported cases when the Saudi Ministry of Health notifies it, and seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination are recommended. Pilgrims aged 65 and over and those with chronic conditions should carry prescriptions and a doctor's letter.
Ihram is worn before crossing the miqat; pilgrims flying into Jeddah enter ihram on the aircraft, and those arriving in Madinah first enter at Dhul Hulaifah. Nusuk permits are mandatory for Umrah and for Rawdah visits in Madinah and are checked at the entrances; without a permit entry to the Haram for Umrah can be refused during busy periods.
How does the application run?
- Book Makkah and Madinah hotels and return flights, or choose an approved agent's package, for dates outside the Hajj season.
- Take the ACWY vaccine at least 10 days before travel and obtain the certificate.
- Apply on Nusuk (or through the agent): upload the passport, photo, vaccination certificate and bookings, buy the insurance and pay SAR 535; approval in 24 hours to 7 days.
- Book Umrah and Rawdah permits on the Nusuk app for each pilgrim by date and time slot.
- Travel with the eVisa printout, vaccination certificate and permits; perform Umrah and leave within the visa validity, before the Hajj-season cut-off if travelling in Shawwal.
How long does an Umrah visa take?
| Stage | Typical time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Bookings and vaccine | 2 to 4 weeks before | Hotels, flights, ACWY |
| Visa approval | 24 hours to 7 days | Nusuk or agent |
| Permits | Instant on the app | Book early for Ramadan |
| Stay | Up to 90 days | Single or multiple entry |
| Closure | About 6 weeks from 1 Dhul Qa'dah | No Umrah visas issued |
Why are Umrah visas refused or pilgrims turned back, and what fixes each reason?
Hajj-season dates. Travel dates inside the closure period. Move the trip to Shawwal or after Dhul Hijjah.
Vaccination certificate missing or too recent. ACWY not taken, or taken under 10 days before travel. Vaccinate early and carry the certificate.
Passport validity short. Under 6 months at arrival. Renew before applying.
Photo or data rejected. Non-white background or name mismatch. Match the passport and use a compliant photo.
Previous overstay or unpaid fines. Earlier violation on any Saudi visa. Clear fines and check the ban status through the embassy before paying.
How Vistolane files it
Vistolane lodges the Nusuk eVisa or coordinates with an approved agent, checks the vaccination and dates and charges the SAR 535 at the official rate. Start with the free eligibility check or the Saudi Arabia Umrah visa route page. Pilgrims combining Umrah with a Gulf visit can read the UAE tourist visa guide and the Qatar visa-free entry guide.