Saudi Arabia has clarified that holders of the newly introduced one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa cannot travel to the Kingdom whenever they choose, and must instead complete a fresh service package and obtain an Umrah permit before each individual trip.
The multiple-entry Umrah visa was launched in July and remains valid for 365 days from its date of issue, allowing eligible pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia more than once during that period, according to foreign media reports.
Saudi authorities have now clarified that holding a valid one-year visa does not by itself guarantee entry at any time chosen by the pilgrim.
Under the new procedure, pilgrims must obtain an updated service package ahead of every visit, after which an Umrah permit will be issued. This means that anyone wishing to perform Umrah a second or third time within the same one-year period must repeat the process for each new trip.
Saudi authorities said the clarification was intended to make the travel and Umrah procedures clear to visa holders, so that pilgrims do not mistakenly assume that the visa alone is sufficient for travel.
The one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa therefore allows pilgrims to visit Saudi Arabia several times during the year, but fresh approval of the service package and Umrah permit will be required before each separate visit.
