Rules for Performing Umrah on a Visit Visa and Health Insurance Guide 2026

As a result of the Saudi Arabian government's modern tourism and visa liberalization policy, family members of expatriate Bangladeshis can arrive in the country on a tourist or family visit visa and directly perform the holy Umrah. Previously, permission for Tawaf of the Kaaba was limited only to specific Umrah visa holders, but under the current digital infrastructure, performing Umrah has been made extremely easy and legally approved for visit visa holders. However, to keep this holy journey smooth, it is extremely important to obtain approval through the correct process and know the appropriate health insurance terms.

1. On Which Visit Visas Can Umrah Be Performed?

Based on the coordinated decision of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, multiple categories of visitors are covered by this facility:

Family Visit Visa: Single or multiple entry visa issued for expatriates' parents, spouse, and children.

Personal Visit Visa: Any personal travel visa arriving at the invitation of a Saudi citizen.

Tourist e-Visa and Transit Visa: International travelers arriving on a tourism or 4-day transit visa.

GCC Resident Visa: Travel visa for foreign expatriates working in other Gulf countries.

In this case, even if the primary purpose of your visa is tourism or meeting relatives, you have the full legal right to perform Umrah at the Holy Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. However, keeping the government permit active through a smartphone is mandatory for this.

2. Method for Obtaining the Umrah Permit for a Visit Visa on the Nusuk App

For crowd control and security reasons at Holy Masjid al-Haram, showing a permit is essential for any visa holder while performing Umrah. The steps for obtaining a permit for those arriving on a visit visa are detailed below:

Install the Nusuk app: Download the official Nusuk mobile application from the Google Play Store or Apple Store.

Sign up as a visitor: Select the 'Visitor' option on the app's login page. Then activate your account by entering your passport number, nationality, date of birth, active mobile number, and Saudi visa number.

Collect the border number: When passing immigration at a Saudi airport, correctly enter the 10-digit border number handwritten or printed with a seal on the passport. For detailed instructions, you can follow our Nusuk Umrah Permit and Rawdah Slot Booking Guide.

Set the slot: Enter the Umrah service menu, select family members' names, and choose the set date and time. Click on a green-marked empty time to complete the application.

Once the permit is successfully confirmed, the QR code will be visible inside the app. This digital permit must be shown at the security checkpoint when entering Mecca.

3. Visit Visa Health Insurance (CCHI) and Medical Coverage

Every visitor arriving in Saudi Arabia must purchase mandatory government health insurance along with the visa application. This insurance is regulated by the Saudi Council of Health Insurance (CCHI). If any health complication or emergency physical accident occurs during Umrah, full benefits are received under this insurance:

Emergency medical service: Direct admission and medication at the emergency department of any approved government and private hospital in Mecca and Medina.

Accident and surgery: Coverage of up to 100,000 (one hundred thousand) Saudi riyals for road accidents or any unexpected physical injury.

Ambulance facility: Emergency rescue and air ambulance service through the Red Crescent Society (997).

Mortal remains management in death: Full cost coverage for sending the body home or local burial in an unfortunate death. To learn about other legal processes, you can see our Bangladesh Embassy Service and Passport Guide.

Remember, when extending the visit visa term, a newly approved CCHI insurance premium must be paid each time through the Absher or Nafath system. Performing Umrah or traveling while the insurance is expired is legally punishable.

4. Protocol for Tying Ihram at Miqat and Entering Mecca

For those coming on a visit visa with the intention of Umrah, wearing Ihram and making the intention for Umrah before crossing the Sharia-designated Miqat is mandatory when entering Mecca:

Arrival by air: If you land directly at Jeddah Airport from Bangladesh or another Middle Eastern country, complete the intention by wearing the Ihram garment before crossing the Miqat on the plane.

Road travel from Riyadh or Dammam: When going to Mecca by car from Riyadh or the eastern region, Ihram must be tied while crossing the 'Qarn al-Manazil' (Sail al-Kabir) Miqat. You can choose the Haramain High-Speed Train Ticket Booking and Fare Service as a comfortable way for fast travel.

Traveling from Medina to Mecca: When coming to Mecca after completing ziyarat in Medina, you must reach the 'Dhul Hulaifah' (Bir Ali) Miqat, complete ablution/bathing, and take Ihram.

At the security forces and traffic police checkpoint at Mecca's entry point, family members' passports and the Nusuk app's permit barcode are scanned. Trying to enter Mecca without approval can result in punitive action.

5. Visa Term and Legal Precautions

Visit visa holders should follow certain legal precautions extremely strictly during their stay in Saudi Arabia:

Hajj season restrictions: Generally from mid-Dhul Qa'dah month to the end of Dhul Hijjah month, the Saudi Hajj Ministry completely suspends visit visa holders' entry into Mecca and performance of Umrah. Trying to enter Mecca on a visit visa during this time risks a fine of up to 50,000 Saudi riyals and permanent expulsion.

Overstaying the visa term: Do not stay illegally even one day beyond the visa's approved days. Overstaying incurs a fine of 500 to 1000 riyals per person and a ban on future entry.

Work restriction: Being involved in any kind of commercial or personal work is strictly prohibited on a visit visa.

Regularly keep an eye on our Umrah and Daily Living Guide corner to get detailed information on Saudi Arabia's latest immigration and Absher services.

7. Special Regulations for Umrah on Family Visit Visa, Multiple Tourist, and Transit Visa

Under the Saudi government's Vision 2030, tourism and religious restrictions have been considerably liberalized. In the past, only special Umrah visa holders could enter Mecca. But according to current rules, anyone arriving with any valid Saudi visa can perform Umrah.

Umrah facilities by visa type:

Family Visit Visa: Expatriates' spouses, children, or parents who come on a visit visa can visit Mecca and Medina with an Umrah permit on the Nusuk app at any time after arriving in Saudi Arabia.

Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (1-year term): Those arriving on this visa can enter Saudi Arabia as many times as they wish and stay up to a maximum of 90 days per entry, completing holy Umrah and ziyarat.

Stopover Transit Visa (96 hours): If you take a transit in Saudi Arabia on the way to a third country via Saudia or Flynas airlines, you get a completely free 96-hour transit visa, with which you can leave the airport and quickly complete Umrah.

8. Technical Steps for Visit Visa Term Extension and Insurance Renewal

Relatives staying on a single entry or multiple entry family visit visa must extend the visa at least 7 days before it expires. Otherwise, a late fine is imposed in the Ministry of Interior's system.

Documented steps for extending the term:

Medical insurance renewal: Before applying on Absher, the visitors' health insurance term must first be extended through Tawuniya, Bupa, or another approved insurance company. Absher does not accept the visa extension until the insurance data is updated on the CCHI server.

SADAD fee payment: Go to the Ministry of Interior's SADAD service code through any Saudi banking app and pay the 'Extend Visit Visa' fee (100 riyals per person).

Confirmation from Absher: Logging into the host's Absher Individual account, selecting 'Extend Visit Visa' from 'Family Members Services', and confirming the application instantly issues a new-term digital visa.

9. Overstay Fine and Precautions to Avoid Airport Deportation Blacklist

Staying even one day beyond the visit visa's term is an extreme violation of Saudi law. If a visitor stays beyond the visa's term, a 500 riyal late fine per person must be paid the first time. If the delay exceeds 30 days, one must appear in person at the Jawazat office, pay the fine, and collect a special exit permit.

If a person illegally overstaying is caught by police, they are sent to their home country through the Tarheel deportation center, and a permanent ban on entering any Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country in the future may be imposed. So regularly mark family members' visa expiry dates on a calendar.

Rules for Free Emergency Hospital Treatment for Relatives Arriving on a Visit Visa

If any family member arriving in Saudi Arabia on a visit visa suddenly suffers a heart attack, stroke, or serious road accident, according to the Saudi government's humanitarian health policy, life-saving treatment is immediately ensured free of charge at the emergency ward of any government or military hospital.

When receiving emergency service, the patient's passport number and a copy of the visa insurance policy must be presented. At any network hospital approved by the Saudi Council of Health Insurance (CCHI), the cost of visitors' general illnesses and emergency operations is settled in a cashless process under insurance coverage. However, general OPD consultation or medication for pre-existing chronic diseases is not included in the coverage.

If any medical outstanding bill remains before returning to the country, it can show up as a notification at airport immigration, so it is safe to keep the discharge paper with you.

Nusuk Permit and Vaccination Card Policy for Children on Visit Visa

International health protection regulations must be followed for minor children arriving on a visit visa. It is advisable to keep the international certificate of children's polio and meningitis vaccination when entering Saudi Arabia. On the Nusuk app, children over 5 years old must have an independent permit issued against their own passport. To prevent children from getting lost in the holy Haram courtyard, it is extremely wise to put a wristband with the parents' mobile number and hotel name on children's wrists. Additionally, it is good to keep preparation ready in advance for using the Haram's electric cart for elderly family members.