How to Apply for Umrah E-Visa from USA: A Complete Guide

To apply for an Umrah e-visa from the USA, use the official Visit Saudi visa website. Create an account, complete the form, upload your documents, pay online, and wait for the visa by email.

The whole form usually takes 15 to 30 minutes if your files are ready. We tell families to prepare every passport scan and photo before starting. This avoids time-outs and rushed mistakes.

Umrah is separate from Hajj and may be performed through much of the year. The Saudi tourist eVisa allows eligible US passport holders to perform Umrah outside the Hajj period.

The visa is valid for 12 months and allows multiple entries. The USA is one of 66 countries included in the tourist eVisa scheme. You don’t normally need to visit a Saudi embassy.

This Umrah guide covers eligibility, documents, costs, common errors, Makkah travel, and planning for Madinah. Always check the Visit Saudi and Nusuk platforms before travelling, as entry and health rules can change.

What visa do US pilgrims need?

US citizens can usually perform Umrah with the Saudi tourist eVisa. It is an electronic travel approval issued through the Saudi system. You receive it by email as a PDF.

The visa can be used for visits to Makkah and Madinah. It allows stays of up to 90 days, with no more than 90 days spent in Saudi Arabia during its validity.

Mandatory health insurance is included with the eVisa. Keep both a digital copy and a printed copy. Airport staff may ask to see it before boarding or after you land.

This is where some people get it wrong: an eVisa doesn’t replace every Umrah permit. You may still need the Nusuk app for ritual bookings and access arrangements.

Travellers without the right visa may be refused boarding in the USA. They may also be denied entry in Jeddah or Riyadh. Recent figures reported more than 1.2 million US Muslims completing Umrah, while online visa grants rose by 22%.

Quick hotel distance and price comparison

Pilgrims usually ask about two things first: the walk to the Haram and the room price. A short distance on a map can feel much longer in heat or heavy crowds.

Hotel	Walk to the Grand Mosque	Rating	Nightly rate
Makkah Towers	2 min walk	5-star	From $135
Makkah Hotel	1 min walk	5-star	—

These rates start with the lowest room type and change by season. Treat them as a guide, not a final quote. Also check which entrance you’ll use and how busy the hotel lifts become after prayer.

Who can apply from the USA?

US citizens are included in the Saudi eVisa programme. They don’t need the Hajj quotas or local sponsor arrangements used for some other visa types.

The main eligibility rules are:

• Age and faith: Applicants should be at least 18. A traveller under 18 needs a guardian. Umrah is for Muslims, while non-Muslims may apply only for permitted tourism.
• Passport: The usual rule is six months’ validity after entry. US citizens may have an exception allowing entry while the passport itself remains valid. Confirm this before booking.
• Residence: US citizens and eligible green card holders may apply. Dual nationals should use their US passport for the whole journey.
• Health: Pilgrims must meet current health rules. The meningococcal ACYW-135 vaccine is compulsory for Umrah under the stated Ministry of Health requirements.
• Travel record: Travel bans, previous overstays, or serious security concerns may stop approval or entry.

Women aged 18 to 65 no longer need a mahram under the stated reforms. Families may apply together for children over five. Each traveller still needs the correct passport details and supporting documents.

Green card holders who aren’t US citizens should upload proof of permanent residence. If you have a felony, travel ban, or previous Saudi overstay, ask the Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C. before paying.

Which documents should you prepare?

Prepare clear digital copies before opening the application. Blurred scans and badly cropped photos are common reasons for delay.

• Passport copy: A clear colour scan of the information page, usually under 2MB.
• Passport photograph: A recent 4.5 x 3.5 cm image with a white background. Your face should fill about 80% of the picture. Use JPEG format between 5 and 100 KB.
• Hotel booking: A confirmed place to stay in Makkah or Madinah.
• Travel plan: Your intended dates and return flights, such as New York to Jeddah.
• Insurance: Health cover is included with the eVisa. Attach your current policy if the application asks for it.
• Financial proof: Bank statements showing at least $700 per person are advised, especially for group applications.
• Nusuk registration: Keep a screenshot of your Nusuk account or app ID for permit arrangements.

Non-citizen residents should add a green card scan. Children may need birth certificates showing their link to their parents. English documents are normally accepted, though certified Arabic translations may sometimes be requested.

Use a proper scanning app and check every corner of the page. Poor images have been linked with 30% of rejections. Don’t photograph a passport under a bright lamp, as glare can hide the numbers.

How do you apply online?

Step 1: Open the official website

Go directly to visa.visitsaudi.com. Register with your email address and a strong password. You may need to confirm the account by SMS using your US phone number.

Avoid unofficial websites that look similar. Some charge large service fees, while others may not submit the form correctly.

Step 2: Start your application

Select “Apply Now” and choose the tourist eVisa. Give Umrah as your travel purpose where the form requests it.

Enter your name exactly as printed in your passport. Add your date of birth, nationality, passport number, and planned travel dates. Even a missing middle name can cause trouble at check-in.

Connect your Nusuk account if the system asks. If you don’t have one, register through the official Nusuk service.

Step 3: Upload your documents

Upload the passport page, photograph, hotel details, and travel plan. Follow the file rules shown on the website. Most files must be PDF or JPEG and under 2MB.

Family applications can usually sit under one main adult profile. Still, check every traveller separately. Parents often upload the same child’s passport twice by mistake.

Step 4: Check and pay

Read every answer before paying. Check names, passport numbers, expiry details, and travel dates. The visa must match the passport used at the airport.

Payment can be made with Visa or Mastercard. US cards are generally accepted. Save the receipt and take a screenshot of the payment confirmation.

Step 5: Submit and track it

After submission, you’ll receive a reference number. Use it to check the application dashboard and watch your email, including the spam folder.

Approval usually arrives within one to three days. About 85% of US applications have been reported as moving quickly. Busy Umrah periods can take longer, so apply four to six weeks before travel.

Once approved, download the PDF and print at least two copies. Add the visa details to Nusuk if required. If the application is refused, correct the stated problem before applying again.

How much does it cost and take?

The stated eVisa fee is SAR 535, about $142 at the quoted exchange rate of 1 SAR to roughly $0.266. This includes the required insurance.

There are no official extra charges listed, though Nusuk services may add $30 to $70. Agents may charge $300 or more for handling the same application.

Normal processing takes 24 to 72 hours. Ramadan and other busy periods can slow it down. Don’t book a tight connection based only on the fastest approval time.

The visa can’t simply be extended after expiry. You must make a new application where required. Overstay penalties may reach SAR 10,000, or about $2,664.

How can you avoid visa delays?

Use a laptop and reliable internet rather than completing everything on a phone. Mobile browsers sometimes freeze during photo uploads or payment.

Arrange the meningococcal vaccine early. Pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens may provide it, and insurance often covers the cost. Carry the certificate in your hand luggage.

We usually tell families to make one folder for each traveller. Put the passport, visa, vaccine record, flight details, and hotel booking inside. Keep digital copies on two phones as well.

Print the eVisa even if the journey is meant to be paperless. A flat battery or weak airport Wi-Fi is a poor start to Umrah.

For group applications, choose one organised adult as the lead traveller. That person should keep all reference numbers and check that every family member has approval.

Read current US State Department notices before departure. Also check Saudi health and entry updates close to your flight.

What mistakes cause visa problems?

The most common mistakes are simple ones. They include an expired passport, a blurred scan, the wrong photograph, or a name that doesn’t match the passport.

Another mistake is forgetting Nusuk after receiving the visa. The visa allows travel, but Nusuk may still be needed for Umrah permits and certain visits.

Don’t assume your airline will fix a visa error at check-in. Airport queues can be stressful, especially with children and several suitcases. Staff must follow the details shown in the system.

Check your hotel location carefully too. A 400-metre walk may sound easy, but it feels longer with a pram, an older parent, or midday heat. Cheap hotels farther away may offer shuttles, but waiting after prayer can take time.

What should you do after approval?

Download the visa, print it, and check every detail again. Complete any Nusuk bookings and keep your vaccine certificate ready.

Then arrange your Makkah and Madinah stays. For Makkah, look at the real walking route rather than the straight-line distance. Ask about lifts, step-free access, shuttle times, and space for luggage.

HotelsInMakkah.com lists Makkah and Madinah accommodation, including hotels near the Haram. It can help you compare locations, room types, and prices in US dollars.

How should you choose your hotel?

HotelsInMakkah.com includes both higher-end and budget choices. Makkah Towers is listed about 0.1 km away, while Al Kiswah Towers is listed at $36 per night and about 0.9 km away.

• Distance: A nearby hotel saves energy, especially for older pilgrims. The trade-off is that rooms close to the Haram usually cost more.
• Rates: Listed savings may reach 30%, with some Makkah hotel rates starting at $36 per night. Prices depend on dates, room type, and demand.
• Booking: The site offers USD pricing, live availability, secure payment, and round-the-clock support. You can also compare comments from other travellers.

Before paying, check whether breakfast is included and whether the room has enough beds. Ask how many lifts serve your floor. Lift queues can become tiring just before and after prayer.

You can browse HotelsInMakkah.com for pilgrimage accommodation. Compare the final price, cancellation rules, and walking route before confirming.

Book only after checking the details

Learn how to apply for an Umrah e-visa from the USA, then match your hotel dates to your approved travel plan. May Allah make your journey easy and accept your ibadah.

Planning Umrah from another country? Read the related eVisa guides:

• UK Umrah eVisa guide
• Canada Umrah eVisa guide
• Australia Umrah eVisa guide

You can also read How to Book 5-Star Umrah Packages at Cheaper Rates for practical hotel and transport advice.

For the Madinah part of your journey, compare Madinah hotels near the Prophet’s Mosque. Check the walking distance, entrance location, room size, and total price for your dates.