What Is an Umrah Visa and Its Function?
How to Apply for an Umrah Visa
The process of obtaining an Umrah visa is often handled through officially registered travel agencies recognized by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, or it can be arranged independently as long as all required documents are complete. For pilgrims who choose to apply for an independent Umrah visa, the general steps include:
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Passport
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months. If not, renew it at the immigration office before proceeding to the next steps. - Official photo
Prepare a recent photo that meets Saudi visa requirements, usually with a white background and a clearly visible face.
- Round-trip flight ticket
Book an international round-trip ticket (Indonesia–Saudi Arabia–Indonesia) as proof of your travel plan.
- Meningitis vaccination
Get vaccinated at a hospital or clinic and keep the vaccination certificate as a mandatory document.
- Accommodation reservation
Book hotels in Makkah and/or Madinah according to the duration of your trip, either directly with the hotel or through booking platforms.
- Independent Umrah visa application
Once all documents are complete, apply for an Umrah visa through the official Nusuk Umrah platform or other parties appointed by the Saudi Arabian government.
All of these documents must be prepared and confirmed complete before submitting an independent Umrah visa application to ensure a smooth process.
Independent Umrah Visa: What’s the Difference?
An independent Umrah visa refers to arranging the permit without joining an Umrah package from a travel agency. Pilgrims who choose the independent route have greater flexibility in scheduling, hotel selection, and travel arrangements. However, the process tends to be longer and more complex because everything is handled personally, including coordination with official Saudi muassasah and preparation of all required documents.
Validity Period of an Umrah Visa
One of the most common questions is, “How long is an Umrah visa valid?” Currently, the general rule states that an Umrah visa is valid for approximately 90 days from the date of issuance, while the permitted length of stay in Saudi Arabia is usually around 30 days from the date of entry. This means the visa must be used before it expires, and pilgrims must leave Saudi Arabia before the allowed stay period ends.
Umrah Visa Cost and Pricing Factors
The cost of an Umrah visa frequently changes depending on Saudi regulations and travel seasons. In general, the Umrah visa fee is around 300 Saudi Riyals (approximately IDR 1.1 million) and usually includes basic insurance (health and accident coverage) as required by the government.
Activity Restrictions for Pilgrims Holding an Umrah Visa
An Umrah visa is issued specifically for worship purposes, namely performing Umrah in Makkah and making ziyarat visits to Madinah. Pilgrims are not permitted to engage in activities outside these purposes, such as working or staying longer than the permitted duration. While in Saudi Arabia, pilgrims must ensure that all religious activities—including tawaf, sa’i, and ziyarat—are completed within the stay period allowed by the visa.
