Getting an Umrah visa from Pakistan is no longer a matter of handing your passport to a local agent and waiting. Since Saudi Arabia moved Umrah onto its Nusuk system, every visa must come with a registered service package, the time you have to enter after the visa is issued has been shortened, and Pakistan now checks vaccination records digitally before departure. This guide explains the current rules for the 1448 AH season, what an Umrah package costs from Pakistan, and how to avoid the fake operators who take advance payments every year.
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How the Umrah visa works now
The Umrah visa is issued through Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk platform, run by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Pakistani citizens cannot apply for it directly as individuals. You book through a licensed Pakistani operator, which works with an approved Saudi Umrah company. The operator registers your package on Nusuk, including your hotels and transport, and the visa is issued against that booking.
The Saudi government’s base visa fee is SAR 300, roughly PKR 22,000 to 23,000 depending on the exchange rate. In practice you pay one package price to the operator, which includes the visa, the mandatory services and any extras you choose.
Visa validity and dates for the 1448 AH season
- Entry window: you must enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of the visa being issued
- Stay: up to 90 days inside the Kingdom
- Season: visas are issued from 31 May 2026 to 9 March 2027, and all pilgrims must leave by 7 April 2027
- Hajj period: Umrah visas are not issued during the Hajj months
The shorter 30-day entry window means you should apply only when your travel dates are fixed. If your flight is delayed beyond that window, the visa cannot be used.
Umrah package costs from Pakistan
Prices depend on the season, hotel distance from the Haram, and the airline. As a guide for the 2026-27 season:
- Off-peak months: around PKR 220,000 to 300,000 per person
- Ramadan, first 20 nights: around PKR 400,000 to 600,000
- Last ten nights of Ramadan: PKR 600,000 to 800,000 or more
The main parts of the cost are return flights (often PKR 100,000 to 220,000), hotels in Makkah and Madinah, transport between the cities, the visa and the operator’s fee. Shared rooms of four or five people bring the hotel cost down sharply, while hotels within walking distance of the Haram cost much more.
Because flights and Saudi hotels are priced in foreign currency, package prices move with the rupee. Our dollar rate in Pakistan page explains how exchange rates affect such costs.
What an Umrah package should include
Before you pay, get the following in writing:
- Hotel names in Makkah and Madinah, number of nights, and room sharing
- Distance of each hotel from the Haram
- Flight details, including baggage allowance and whether it is direct
- Transport between the airport, Makkah and Madinah
- Visa and Nusuk registration
- Whether meals and ziyarat tours are included
- Refund terms if the visa is refused or your trip is cancelled
A good operator will answer these questions clearly. If the answers are vague, look elsewhere.
Applying for an Umrah visa from Pakistan, step by step
- Fix your dates. Because of the 30-day entry window, decide your travel month and check flight availability before you book anything.
- Choose a licensed operator. Compare at least three. Ask for the full package details in writing and check the operator’s registration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
- Get vaccinated. Take the meningitis ACYW and polio vaccines at an approved centre at least ten days before travel, and make sure the record is registered digitally.
- Submit documents. Give the operator your passport details, CNIC, photographs and vaccination records.
- Pay against a receipt. Pay a deposit or the full amount only with a written contract that names the hotels, flights and refund terms.
- Check the visa. Once issued, the Umrah visa from Pakistan is electronic. Check the name, passport number and dates carefully.
- Install Nusuk. Register in the app before you fly, so you can book Rawdah permits as soon as possible.
- Travel. Carry printed copies of your visa, hotel vouchers, return ticket and vaccination proof.
Most families find the process takes two to four weeks from booking to visa, longer in Ramadan. Starting early gives you a better choice of hotels and flights, and more time to fix any mistakes in your documents.
Documents you will need
- Passport valid for at least six months from your travel date
- CNIC copy
- Recent photographs with a white background
- Meningitis (ACYW) vaccination certificate
- Polio vaccination record
- For women and children travelling with family, documents proving the relationship may be requested by the operator, such as a nikahnama, B-form or FRC
If your passport is close to expiry, renew it first. Our guide to the passport fee in Pakistan lists current charges and processing times.
Health and vaccination rules
Saudi Arabia requires the meningococcal ACYW vaccine at least ten days before arrival. Travellers from Pakistan also need proof of polio vaccination. Since 14 September 2026, Pakistan’s Border Health Services checks vaccination records digitally through a NADRA-linked system at departure, so get vaccinated at an approved centre and make sure the record is registered, not just written on a card.
If you have a medical condition, carry your medicines in original packaging with a doctor’s prescription.
Women and the mahram question
Saudi rules no longer require women to travel with a mahram for Umrah, and women can travel in organised groups. However, Pakistani operators may still ask for documents linking family members who travel together, mostly for group processing and room arrangements. Ask the operator about its own policy before you book.
The Nusuk app during your stay
Once you arrive, the Nusuk app is your main tool. You use it to view your permit, and to book permits for prayer in the Rawdah at Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah. Rawdah slots are limited and fill quickly, so book as soon as your dates are confirmed. Register in the app with the same passport details used for your visa.
Can you perform Umrah on a tourist visa?
Saudi Arabia allows Umrah outside the Hajj season on its tourist e-visa. Pakistani citizens are not generally eligible for that e-visa, but those who hold a valid US, UK or Schengen visa that has been used at least once, or residence in one of those places or a Gulf country, may qualify. If you are in that group, compare the cost of a tourist visa and your own bookings with a full package.
How to avoid Umrah scams
Every season, families lose money to fake operators. Protect yourself:
- Book only with operators registered with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and check the licence yourself
- Do not pay the full amount in cash without a written contract and receipt
- Be suspicious of prices far below the market
- Confirm your Nusuk registration and visa status before handing over your passport for long periods
- Keep copies of all payments and messages
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Umrah visa from Pakistan cost?
The Saudi base fee is SAR 300, about PKR 22,000 to 23,000, but the visa is sold only as part of a package through a licensed operator.
How long is the Umrah visa valid?
You must enter within 30 days of issue and can stay up to 90 days.
What is the cheapest time for Umrah?
The months after the Hajj season and before Rajab are usually cheapest. Ramadan, especially the last ten nights, is the most expensive.
Can I apply on Nusuk myself from Pakistan?
Not for the standard Umrah visa. Pakistani pilgrims apply through licensed operators.
For official information on Umrah services and permits, visit the Nusuk platform.
