What documents required for Umrah?
To perform Umrah from outside Saudi Arabia, the documents and requirements you need depend heavily on whether you are applying for a Specific Umrah Visa (usually via an approved travel agency or the Nusuk platform) or traveling on a Saudi Tourist eVisa/Visa on Arrival (which now officially allows Muslims to perform Umrah).
The essential checklist of required documents includes:
1. Primary Identification & Travel Documents
- Valid Passport: Must be an international passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of application, with at least two blank pages.
- Passport Photographs: Recent color photographs (typically $2 \times 2$ inches) with a white background. Your face must directly face the camera (80% coverage), and no glasses are allowed.
- Confirmed Return Flight Tickets: A non-refundable, confirmed round-trip ticket.
- Proof of Accommodation: Confirmed hotel reservations in Makkah and/or Madinah booked through an approved platform (like Nusuk) or an accredited agency.
2. Health & Medical Requirements
- Meningococcal Vaccine Certificate: A valid vaccination certificate against Meningitis (ACYW135). It must be issued at least 10 days before your arrival and not more than 3 years prior. You must carry this physical certificate with you when entering Saudi Arabia.
- Mandatory Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance that covers medical emergencies and hospitalization within Saudi Arabia. (If you apply for an eVisa, this fee is usually bundled into the visa price automatically).
3. Demographics & Relationship Documents (If Applicable)
- Proof of Religion: If you have a non-Muslim name but are a practicing Muslim, you may need to submit a certificate from a local mosque or Islamic center confirming your faith.
- For Women & Children:
- While Saudi Arabia has largely relaxed the strict Mahram (male guardian) requirements for women over 18 traveling in groups for Umrah, rules can still vary by your country of origin.
- If traveling with family, bring documented proof of relationship, such as a Marriage Certificate (for spouses) or Birth Certificates (for children showing both parents’ names).
- Proof of Residency: If you are applying for the visa from a country that is not your original nationality, you must provide a valid residency permit (e.g., green card, visa, or resident ID).
Important App Prerequisite: Once your visa is granted, you must download the Nusuk App (the official Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah platform) to reserve your specific time slots for performing Umrah and visiting the Rawdah in Madinah.
