Hajj and Umrah Visa Made Simple with Baitullah Travel
Thousands of British Muslims wish to visit Makkah and Madinah every year to perform the religious pilgrimage of Hajj and Umrah. Pilgrims have to plan before the Hajj or Umrah trip, and one of the first steps is to secure a valid Saudi visa. The visa process may be confusing at the beginning. The rules change for Hajj and Umrah, and the requirements shift every year. If your documents are not correct, you will face delays. This is where planning becomes difficult for many people.
Forget the visa stress. Baitullah Travel is the Hajj and Umrah expert in the UK, dedicated to making your travel preparation easy and reliable. We guide you through the entire visa application: we check your documents, confirm your eligibility, and submit everything through our approved channels. We manage the complexity so you can focus on your spiritual journey.
Our job is simple: we remove the red tape and stress. You won't have to worry about the forms, so you can give all your attention to getting ready for this holy and essential trip.
The Emotional Meaning Behind Your Visa
Dealing with a visa application might feel technical, but the result is fantastic. These visas are more than just travel papers; they are your key to Makkah and Madinah. If you are going for Hajj, the visa allows you to perform one of the five pillars of Islam. And if you are going for Umrah, it's a way to strengthen your bond with Allah (SWT). When you hold your visas in your hand, it means you have permission to stand in front of the Kaaba, walk on the ground where the Prophet (PBUH) has once walked, and pray in the places where millions of prayers have been answered. This journey is more than travel; it comes with emotions. It is a time to start, asking for forgiveness, and feeling thankful. It is your chance to stand before the Kaaba with a peaceful heart, letting go of all the burdens that you have carried for an extended period of time.
Difference Between Hajj and Umrah Visa
Simply put, the difference between a Hajj visa and an Umrah visa lies in the timing of the visit and the visa's value, specifically whether it is difficult to obtain.
Hajj Visa
The Hajj visa is highly exclusive; it is issued once a year during the major pilgrimage (Hajj). And pilgrims must visit within a specific number of days of Dhu al-Hijjah. Due to the high number of people interested in going, there are extremely rigid restrictions (quotas), and you must make the entire journey through a special, approved agent.
Visa Requirements for Hajj
If you want to apply for a Hajj visa from the UK, you'll need:
- Valid passport
- The official Hajj visa application form
- Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine certificate (Seasonal Flu (Influenza) Vaccine, COVID-19 Vaccine, Standard UK Vaccinations are recommended to vulnerable individuals, especially the elderly)
- Proof of your Muslim faith
- A confirmed flight ticket
- If applicable, provide proof of relationship for a male guardian (mahram) to accompany women and children.
Umrah Visa
Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. So, the Umrah visa is far more lenient: it is open throughout the year (except during the busy Hajj season). It is intended to be the shorter, optional pilgrimage with fewer requirements. It is usually validated within approximately 30 days and is easier to acquire as a travel package.
Visa Requirements for Umrah
You'll need the following documents to apply for the Umrah visa.
- A passport valid for at least six months,
- A completed application form
- A passport-sized photograph
- Proof of a Meningitis vaccination at least ten days before travel.
- Return flight ticket
- Confirmed hotel bookings
Step-by-Step Umrah Visa Process for UK Residents
The Government of KSA has updated its Umrah visa rules for the next season. The new rules use a digital app called Nusuk to manage everything. This app ensures your stay is officially approved and helps prevent scams. It's all designed to give pilgrims a safer and more authentic religious experience. Here's how the process usually works.
Choose a Licensed Umrah Travel Agency
The very first thing you need to do is choose an official, licensed Umrah Travel agency in the UK, like Baitullah Travel. It's important because only these approved companies handle everything on your behalf and obtain the Umrah visa for you through the official Saudi government platform, simplifying the process. Give us a call for an initial consultation, and we'll guide you through the whole process, alleviating your worries so you can focus on your spiritual journey.
Choose Your Umrah Package
The next step to your Umrah visa is to book a package. You have to confirm your flight and hotel. Want to skip the stress? Book an Umrah package with us, and it gets everything you need (flights, hotel, travel inside Saudi Arabia, and a guide) done at once.
Prepare Your Documents
You'll need a valid UK passport with at least six months' validity, recent passport-size photographs, proof of relationship for women or minors travelling with a guardian, and the required vaccination certificates (including meningitis and any current health regulations).
Submit Your Application
Your agent will fill out the Umrah visa form for you and send it straight to the Saudi government using the Nusuk Platform on your behalf.
Visa Approval and Issuance
When your Umrah visa is ready, we'll let you know. We will then help you with the rest of your travel plans. Plus, we'll make sure you understand all the rules and guidelines you need to know before you leave. When you receive your visa, you can freely focus on the spiritual and practical things you need for your trip.
Hajj Visa Process for UK Residents
For UK pilgrims going to Hajj in 2026, the visa is only available through a website called Nusuk Hajj. First, you have to register on Nusuk, and then you must choose a UK agent (like us!) who has an approved Hajj package. The good news? You don't have to worry about any of that! Just contact us, and we'll handle the whole complicated process for you.
What We Need From You:
To apply, we'll need three simple things:
- Your passport details and personal info.
- Proof that you've had the required ACWY meningitis shot.
We submit everything through the official Saudi system. Once it's approved, your visa is issued.
Important Note: This visa is only valid for the Hajj season and is directly linked to the package you book. You can't use it for any other travel or extend it after Hajj is over. And Hajj visas are only issued two months before Hajj.
Hajj and Umrah Processing Time
Umrah visa processing time is fast! They take about 1 or 2 days, or you can rush them in 1 hour. Hajj visas are slower. They take 5 to 10 days. Because of this, you must apply for your Hajj visa long before you plan to travel, especially when everyone else is using it.
Umrah Visa Processing Times
- Normal: 1-2 working days.
- Rush: 6-12 hours.
- Super Rush: Within 1 hour.
Hajj Visa Processing Times
- General: 5-10 business days.
Different Visa Options for UK Pilgrims
If you are a British pilgrim, you'll have several choices for your visa, like the Umrah visa, the Saudi Tourist eVisa, the Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW), or a Stopover Visa. You can choose what works best for you.
Umrah Visa
This visa is made only for Umrah. It is valid for 90 days for a single entry. You can visit only Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah with it. You can apply for your Umrah visa on your own by using an official platform called Nusuk App. Still, if you want to avoid the headaches of paperwork, choose an approved travel agent like Baitullah Travel that handles everything for you so you can focus on what matters most: your Ibadah. This is an excellent option if your only purpose is to perform Umrah.
Saudi Tourist eVisa
The Saudi tourist e-visa is a very popular and easy choice for British pilgrims. It is valid for up to one year with multiple entries. Each trip can be 90 days long. With this visa, you can travel anywhere in Saudi Arabia. It is the best option if you want to perform Umrah and explore other cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Ula. Baitullah Travel makes every step of your journey easy for you.
Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW)
The EVW is a cheap and easy visa only for British people. It's a single-trip visa that lasts up to 180 days (six months). You can use it to go anywhere in Saudi Arabia and do Umrah. The best part is that you can apply online quickly, and it's usually approved in one day. It's best for tourism, business, and medical reasons, which include performing Umrah.
Transit/Stopover Visa
You can get a visa if you have a long stopover flight in Saudi Arabia and want to do Umrah! It lasts for 96 hours (four days). You get the visa when you buy your ticket from an official airline. Use it if your flight has a long stop!
Why Choose Baitullah Travel for your Hajj and Umrah Visa
You need to pick the right agency for Hajj or Umrah, just like you need to get ready spiritually. We at Baitullah Travel understand the significant responsibility and handle every pilgrim's journey with complete care and respect.
Experienced Guidance
We have years of practice helping people from the UK travel for Umrah and Hajj. We are experts in visas and travel details. Because of our knowledge, you will always know what's happening and never be left uncertain.
Approved and Trusted
As an authorised travel agent, we work directly under Saudi regulations and have earned the trust of countless pilgrims across the UK. Many families return to us year after year because they know their journey will be in safe hands.
Complete Support
You'll get our team's support throughout the process from start to finish. From the moment you first contact us until you get home, we are here with you at every step of your journey. This includes answering quick questions, walking you through paperwork, or giving you help when you are actually in Saudi Arabia.
Begin Your Spiritual Journey Today
Your pilgrimage is more than just a trip: it's a life-changing journey. With Baitullah Travel, you can focus on your worship while we take care of the details. Contact us today to start your Hajj or Umrah visa application and take the first step towards Makkah and Madinah.