Can I perform Umrah with the Saudi electronic visa waiver?

Yes, when Saudi Arabia issues you a valid waiver and you follow their rules — including Umrah outside the official Hajj season unless you hold the correct Hajj permit. After approval you book Umrah and Rawdah permits in the Nusuk app. The waiver is not a Hajj visa and is not for work in Saudi Arabia.

What is the Saudi electronic visa waiver for British passport holders?

The Saudi electronic visa waiver (often called the Saudi eVisa Waiver) is an online entry authorisation from the Saudi authorities for eligible British passport holders applying from the United Kingdom when Saudi rules allow. When issued, it is usually single entry, with up to six months validity and up to six months permitted stay as printed on your PDF. It can cover Umrah outside Hajj season, tourism, business, medical treatment, and study when Saudi rules allow — not Hajj or work on this route. The government waiver fee does not bundle travel or medical insurance; that is separate from our £49 Standard or £65 Priority assistance, which also does not include insurance. It is not the Saudi tourist eVisa — we do not sell assistance for that product.

Do you only help British passport holders?

Yes. Assisted applications on this website are only for people who hold a British passport and are applying from the United Kingdom. Pricing is in pounds: the Saudi waiver fee is usually about £30–£35, plus £49 Standard or £65 Priority per person for our help; medical or travel insurance is not included in those amounts.

What is the Saudi eVisa Waiver (electronic visa waiver)?

The Saudi eVisa Waiver is the same product as the electronic visa waiver: an online authorisation for eligible British passport holders, usually single entry with up to six months validity and stay depending on what you are issued. Common permitted reasons include Umrah (outside Hajj unless you have the correct Hajj permit), tourism, business, medical treatment, and study. The official fee paid to Saudi Arabia is typically about £30–£35 (often around £33) in pounds after conversion and does not include emergency medical or travel insurance. Our paid assistance is £49 Standard or £65 Priority per person on top — only for British passport holders — also without insurance. Rules and fees are set by the Saudi authorities.

How do I apply for the Saudi eVisa Waiver from the UK?

As a British passport holder you apply through Saudi Arabia’s official online process (visa.mofa.gov.sa): passport and scans, any supporting items their form asks for, a compliant photo, itinerary and flight details as required, and payment in pounds. There is no embassy visit. With our help you upload here and we review your file before you pay our £49 Standard or £65 Priority assistance fee on top of the usual ~£30–£35 official waiver fee — neither includes medical or travel insurance.

Do I need the Nusuk app for Umrah?

Yes. After your entry authorisation is approved, Nusuk is the official Saudi app to book Umrah and Rawdah permits. Our Nusuk guide walks British passport holders through setup.

Can I perform Hajj on the Saudi eVisa Waiver?

No. Hajj needs an official Hajj visa or permit through your country’s quota. The electronic visa waiver is for Umrah outside Hajj season (when rules allow), tourism, business, medical treatment, and study — not Hajj and not employment in Saudi Arabia.

Do children need their own Saudi eVisa Waiver?

Yes. Every traveller, including infants, needs their own authorisation. Each child needs their own application, photo, and British passport scan. The same official fee and assistance pricing apply per person; insurance is not included in either.

What are the photo requirements for the Saudi eVisa Waiver?

A recent passport-style colour photo (last six months), plain white background, face the camera, neutral expression, head and shoulders only. No glasses unless medically required; religious covering is allowed if the face is fully visible. We check quality before submit.

How long does my passport need to be valid?

Usually at least six months from entry into Saudi Arabia, with two blank pages. Damaged or emergency documents may be refused.

How long does the Saudi eVisa Waiver take for British passport holders?

Saudi guidance is to apply online at least 48 hours before your flight and up to 90 days in advance, with flight details as required — check visa.mofa.gov.sa for the latest. Many decisions then arrive within 24–72 hours; in busy periods (Ramadan, school holidays, or before Hajj) allow up to about a week. Our Priority assistance aims for a quicker queue than Standard on our side; the final decision is always with the Saudi authorities.

How much does the Saudi eVisa Waiver cost for British passport holders?

The official Saudi electronic visa waiver fee is usually about £30–£35 (often around £33) per person when you pay the authorities directly — it does not include travel or medical insurance for your trip. Our assistance is £49 Standard or £65 Priority per person on top of that official fee and also does not include insurance. We show pounds totals at checkout before you pay.

What happens if my waiver application is refused?

Refusals are possible; Saudi authorities decide and may not publish a reason. Common issues include passport validity under six months, poor scans, or eligibility not matching the waiver. Our assistance fee is non-refundable if the authorities refuse after submission, but we review documents first to reduce risk.

Umrah Visa UK 2026 — Saudi eVisa Waiver for British Pilgrims

Umrah from the UK: Saudi electronic visa waiver (2026)

A practical, plain-English guide for British Muslims planning Umrah from the United Kingdom. We only assist British passport holders with the Saudi electronic visa waiver (eVisa Waiver) — documents, Nusuk, timings, and common pitfalls.

Last reviewed: 11 May 2026 · Written by the Saudi eVisa Waiver team. British passport holders only — independent waiver assistance, not affiliated with the Saudi government.

Which entry route do British pilgrims use for Umrah with your help?

Our team helps British passport holders only with the Saudi electronic visa waiver (eVisa Waiver) when you meet Saudi eligibility rules. You do not need a separate label called an "Umrah visa" — your waiver plus Nusuk permits covers Umrah steps. See the full UK waiver guide for eligibility and documents. We do not assist with the Saudi tourist eVisa.

Key facts at a glance

Our product

Saudi electronic visa waiver (British passport holders only)

Assistance (per person)

£49 Standard · £65 Priority

Official charges

Saudi waiver fee (~£30–£35 typical) — no bundled insurance

Permits

Free Umrah & Rawdah via Nusuk after approval

Best time

Outside Hajj season

Madinah

Allowed when your waiver covers it

Which entry route do we help with for Umrah?

We only assist British passport holders with the Saudi electronic visa waiver (eVisa Waiver) when Saudi Arabia's rules say you qualify — you must hold a British passport and apply from the United Kingdom to use our service.

Start with our full UK electronic visa waiver guide — eligibility, documents, and £49 / £65 assistance.
Saudi tourist eVisa is a different official product. We do not sell assistance for it.
Short layovers — see our transit information (we do not assist with transit visas).

When can you go for Umrah?

You can perform Umrah throughout the Islamic year except during the official Hajj season (typically the 15th of Dhul-Qi'dah to the end of Dhul-Hijjah). During those weeks, only those with a Hajj permit may travel for pilgrimage. Outside that window, a valid Saudi entry authorisation — including the electronic visa waiver we assist with — can cover Umrah subject to Saudi rules.

What UK pilgrims need to prepare

Passport valid 6+ months beyond your travel date.
Passport-style colour photo on a plain white background — see the photo rules in our Saudi visa requirements guide.
Makkah hotel booking and return flight confirmation.
Mahram details for sisters under 45 (no longer mandatory but useful at customs).
Nusuk app installed and verified before you fly.

Step-by-step: from UK to Makkah

Confirm the electronic visa waiver route with our team.
Upload passport, qualifying visa evidence (if required), photo, Makkah hotel, and flight bookings.
We verify your data with you, then you pay the official Saudi waiver fee (typically about £30–£35) plus our assistance (£49 Standard / £65 Priority per person). Insurance is not included.
Receive your waiver approval by email within 24–72 hours in most cases.
Verify your passport in the Nusuk app and book your Umrah permit (free).
Travel — print your waiver approval and keep Nusuk QR codes saved offline.
Optional: book a Rawdah permit when visiting Madinah.

Most common Umrah visa rejection reasons

Passport with less than 6 months' validity.
Selfie used instead of a passport-style photo, or photo on a non-white background.
Children added as "dependants" instead of separate applications.
Trying to travel during Hajj season without a Hajj permit.
Hotel booking dates that don't match the flight dates.

Umrah travel checklist for UK pilgrims

See our full Umrah travel checklist for a printable, week-by-week packing and document list — including Ihram clothing, medications, currency, e-SIMs, and prayer essentials.

Frequently asked questions