Saudi Arabia will restart the issuance of Umrah visas and allow international pilgrims to enter the Kingdom from May 31, 2026, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The annual suspension and resumption of Umrah visas is part of Saudi Arabia’s pilgrimage management system, which is designed to regulate travel flows around the Hajj season and ensure smooth coordination of crowd control and services in Makkah and Madinah. Once Hajj arrangements conclude, the Kingdom typically reopens Umrah access for foreign pilgrims in phases.

The reopening is closely watched in countries with high pilgrimage demand, particularly Pakistan, which is among the largest sources of Umrah travelers globally. Pakistani pilgrims usually make up a significant share of Umrah applicants each season, supported by travel agencies offering group and individual pilgrimage packages.

The resumption of visas is expected to restart religious travel activity after the Hajj period, with travel operators anticipating a fresh wave of bookings, particularly from families planning short-term visits to the holy cities.