{
  "id": 1236706,
  "title": "Saudi Umrah visa valid for 365 days, but bookings required for every visit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/saudi-umrah-visa-valid-for-365-days-but-bookings-required-for-every",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T08:34:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-umrah-visa-valid-for-365-days-but-bookings-required-for-every-visit-1.500642585"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai: Saudi authorities have informed Umrah visitors that they must book services for each pilgrimage, despite the fact that the multiple-entry visa allows stays of up to 90 days over a 365-day period. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah explained that the visa's extended validity does not waive the need for approvals and permits. Pilgrims must secure an approved service package via the Nusuk platform and an Umrah permit before departing for Saudi Arabia. The ministry emphasized that each trip still requires separate service and permit arrangements, even though the visa is designed to offer more flexibility in planning visits.",
  "summary": "Dubai: Saudi Arabia has advised pilgrims using multiple-entry Umrah visas that they must book an approved service package for every visit, saying the visa’s year-long validity does not remove other requirements governing the pilgrimage. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said pilgrims holding the visa must purchase services through a licensed Umrah provider on the Nusuk platform and obtain an Umrah…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}