Saudi Arabia has announced that it will resume issuing Umrah visas beginning Tuesday, June 10 (14 Dhul Hijjah 1446), just days after concluding what has been widely described as one of the safest and most efficiently managed Hajj seasons to date. According to a confirmation by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the first wave of international pilgrims for the new Umrah season is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, June 11.
Timeline for Visa Issuance and Operator Dates
The new Umrah period, which will continue well into 2026 ( 1447H), officially begins on June 10th, with the standard immigration release time of June 10. The Ministry directed Umrah businesses and international travel agencies to finalize their service agreements by May 27 ( 29 Dhul Qadah 1446 ). Important components of Saudi Arabia’s wider efforts to enhance the traveller experience are provided by this operational requirement, which ensures that pilgrims did get coordinated services upon arrival, including accommodations, transportation, and guidance.
A Safe and Effective Hajj Follows a Seamless Move
The powerful Hajj year, which ended in earlier June 2025, came to an end with the reopening of Umrah permits. More than 1.6 million pilgrims from all over the world took part in this year’s trip, according to official images shared by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The Hajj is a huge undertaking, and this year was no exception. A number of well-executed protection and operational measures helped to facilitate easy rituals throughout Mecca and Medina during the festive season. Important functional features included:
- 314 planes were a result of 62 airlines ‘ 314 airlines.
- Airlines connected 238 places in 71 nations.
- proactive campaign for public health
A comfortable and proper return to Umrah activities is a result of the success of Hajj 2025, which resulted in little disturbance and effective crowd control.
Why Are Umrah Visas Temporarily Suspended Before the Hajj?
Royal government typically halt the issuance of Umrah visas a few weeks before the Hajj officially begins. This delay is crucial to ensuring that the entire administrative, health, and security resources of the country are focused solely on accommodating the Hajj journey, which takes place over a timed period and involves a considerably larger number of pilgrims than Umrah. By temporarily suspending Haram activities, the Kingdom ensures:
- Unhindered Hajj planning and execution
- All travelers will have safer problems.
- Use of assets more effectively at the top of trip season
What to Expect Future and Year-Round Umrah Access
Umrah is accessible year-round, in contrast to Hajj, which is restricted to a particular Islamic solar period. Saudi Arabia is gearing up to welcome a new flood of pilgrims who wish to make the less-than-pilgrim route in the upcoming months as card issuance is presently resumed. Updates will continue to be made in the near future, according to the Ministry regarding:
- Pilgrim restrictions
- go guidelines
- recommendations for health and safety
Saudi Arabia is expected to add lessons learned from Hajj 2025 into the continuous development and streamlining of the Umrah practice as part of its long-term perspective.
