Saudi Arabia allows Muslims holding a tourist visa to perform Umrah at any time of year except during the Hajj season, when entry rules change. For pilgrims living in the United States, the tourist eVisa is the fastest route: it is applied for online, usually issued within minutes to a few days, and permits multiple entries over one year.
If you hold a Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, or another passport but live in the USA, you are also covered: holders of a valid US Green Card — and in most cases a valid US visa — qualify for the Saudi eVisa or visa on arrival under Saudi eligibility rules for US residents. This guide walks through every route, the mandatory Nusuk app bookings, and a realistic total budget from US cities.
Eligibility
- US passport holders: eligible for the Saudi tourist eVisa online and for visa on arrival at Saudi airports.
- US Green Card holders of any nationality: eligible for eVisa and visa on arrival as US permanent residents.
- Holders of a valid US visit visa (B1/B2) and other US residence statuses: generally eligible for visa on arrival provided the US visa has been used at least once to enter the USA — verify your exact case on the official portal before flying.
- The tourist visa permits Umrah but is NOT valid for Hajj. Hajj requires the separate official Hajj quota and Nusuk Hajj platform registration.
- Women may perform Umrah without a mahram under current Saudi rules.
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
Required Documents
- Passport valid for at least 6 months with a blank page
- US Green Card or valid US visa / residence proof (for non-US passports)
- Recent digital passport photo with white background for the eVisa application
- Confirmed return or onward flight ticket from the USA
- Hotel bookings in Makkah and Madinah (recommended to arrange before arrival)
- Mandatory medical insurance — automatically included in the eVisa fee for tourist eVisas
- Nusuk app installed and registered for Rawdah Al-Sharifah prayer permits in Madinah
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Apply for the Tourist eVisa Online: Complete the application on the official Visit Saudi eVisa portal, upload your photo, and pay the fee by card. Most US-based applicants receive the eVisa by email within minutes to 24 hours.
- Book Flights to Jeddah or Madinah: Fly into King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) for Makkah, or Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport (Madinah). From the US East Coast, Saudia and Gulf carriers offer one-stop routes; book an open-jaw ticket (into Jeddah, out of Madinah) to avoid backtracking.
- Reserve Hotels Near the Haram: Book refundable hotels within walking distance of Masjid al-Haram and the Prophet’s Mosque. Distances matter more than star ratings after long days of worship.
- Register on the Nusuk App and Book the Rawdah Permit: Create your Nusuk account before departure and book your Rawdah Al-Sharifah slot as soon as your dates open — permits are limited and can only be booked once every 365 days.
- Enter Ihram and Travel to Makkah: Enter Ihram before crossing the Miqat — on flights to Jeddah the airline announces the Miqat point, and most US-based pilgrims put on Ihram garments at their departure or connection airport. From Jeddah, use the Haramain high-speed train or official taxis to Makkah.
Fees
Standard fee: Approx. SAR 395 (around USD 105) including mandatory medical insurance. Tourist eVisa fee published by Visit Saudi; includes the visa fee and compulsory insurance. Multiple-entry, 1-year validity, up to 90 days total stay. Visa on arrival carries a similar total payable by card.
Processing Time
Estimated: Minutes to 24 hours for most eVisa applications. Standard eVisa turnaround reported by the official portal; some nationalities or applications flagged for review take longer. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to Perform Hajj on a Tourist Visa: The tourist eVisa is legally invalid for Hajj. Pilgrims without an official Hajj permit face fines, deportation, and multi-year entry bans.
- Skipping the Nusuk Rawdah Booking: Arriving in Madinah without a Rawdah permit and finding all slots gone. Permits release in batches and disappear quickly in Ramadan and school holidays.
- Wrong Airport Logic: Flying into Jeddah while already in Ihram state is fine, but pilgrims must not pass the Miqat without Ihram. Plan the Ihram point with your airline’s announcement and, if unsure, enter Ihram before boarding your final leg.
- Unofficial Visa Websites: Paying inflated fees on look-alike agent sites. Only use visa.visitsaudi.com, ksavisa.sa, and the Nusuk app.
Practical Tips
- Cheapest US departure hubs for Saudi routes are usually New York (JFK), Washington Dulles (IAD), Houston (IAH), Chicago (ORD), and Los Angeles (LAX) — compare Saudia against Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, and Turkish Airlines one-stop fares.
- Travel outside Ramadan and US school holidays for dramatically lower hotel prices near the Haram, unless Ramadan Umrah is your specific intention.
- Carry printed copies of your eVisa, insurance, and hotel bookings — Saudi immigration and airline check-in staff in the US verify them before boarding.
Official Government Links
- Visit Saudi — Official eVisa Portal — The official tourist eVisa application for US citizens and eligible residents.
- KSA Visa — Unified National Visa Platform — Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs unified visa platform.
- Nusuk — Official Umrah Platform — Official platform and app for Umrah services and Rawdah Al-Sharifah permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Pakistani or Indian passport holder living in the USA get a Saudi visa on arrival?
Yes, in most cases. Saudi rules extend eVisa and visa-on-arrival eligibility to holders of US permanent residence (Green Card) and to holders of valid US visas that have been used to enter the USA at least once. Because individual cases vary, confirm your eligibility on visa.visitsaudi.com before booking non-refundable flights.
Can women travel for Umrah from the USA without a mahram?
Yes. Under current Saudi regulations, women may perform Umrah without a male guardian (mahram). A tourist eVisa is sufficient, and no mahram documentation is requested from US-based applicants.
How much does a complete Umrah trip from the USA cost?
A realistic self-booked budget outside peak season is USD 1,400-2,200 per person from the East Coast: roughly USD 700-1,100 for flights, USD 105 for the eVisa with insurance, and the rest for 10-12 nights of mid-range hotels near the Haram, food, and ground transport. Ramadan and December prices can double.
Is the tourist eVisa multiple entry?
Yes. The standard tourist eVisa is multiple-entry, valid for one year from issue, allowing stays of up to 90 days in total. It can be used for repeated Umrah trips within its validity, except during the Hajj period.
Official source: Visit Saudi / Saudi Tourism Authority. VisaGlobe is an independent travel information guide and is not affiliated with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Visit Saudi, or Nusuk. Umrah and entry rules are set solely by Saudi authorities and can change without notice.