The gates are open. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah released the official Umrah season calendar for 1448 AH on May 17, 2026, and the season starts off immediately.
Visas start flowing on May 31.
Makkah entry opens June 1.
The window runs all the way through April 2027.
The longest, most clearly mapped pilgrimage season the Kingdom has put out to date. For the millions of pilgrims already planning their spiritual journey, this calendar is the foundation everything else gets built on.
Here is what it says, in full, and what you need to act on now.
Every Key Date on the 1448 AH Umrah Season Calendar
The Ministry published a clean, sequential set of dates. Pilgrims and operators should treat all of them as firm.
- May 31, 2026 marks the start of Umrah visa issuance and the first day pilgrims enter the Kingdom.
- June 1, 2026 opens Makkah entry and activates Umrah permit issuance through the Nusuk application.
- March 9, 2027 is the final date for issuing Umrah visas.
- March 23, 2027 is the absolute deadline for pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia.
- April 7, 2027 is the last day for all Umrah pilgrims to depart the Kingdom.
This Umrah season calendar runs for approximately ten months, one of the broadest windows in recent years, giving pilgrims considerable flexibility in timing their visits outside the rush periods around Ramadan and the school holiday peaks.
What Happened Before the Season Opened
Preparatory meetings for the 1448 AH season were held on May 5, followed by the qualification and final contracting process for external agents on May 11. Service provider contracts and package designs were completed through the electronic platform ahead of the start of visa issuance on May 31, 2026.
This sequencing matters for international Umrah travel agents and Saudi religious tourism operators. The contracting phase determines which operators can legally issue packages and book pilgrims into the system. Anyone working outside qualified channels risks visa complications down the line. The Ministry’s electronic platform now handles all contracts; there is no paper-based alternative.
The Nusuk App Is No Longer Optional
Every pilgrim entering Makkah during the 1448 AH season needs more than a valid visa. The Nusuk app is Saudi Arabia’s official digital gateway for both Hajj and Umrah, and for the 2026 pilgrimage cycle, using Nusuk is no longer optional. Only pilgrims with a valid Nusuk-issued permit are allowed entry to Masjid al-Haram. Officials at every gate scan the QR code directly from the app. A valid Umrah or Hajj visa on its own is no longer enough.
The platform has grown to over 51 million users globally as of April 2026, up from 30 million in September 2025, with users from more than 190 countries. It brings together over 130 digital services, permits, transport, accommodation, Rawdah appointment bookings, prayer times, and emergency contacts, under one account. Download it before departure. Register as soon as the visa arrives. Secure the permit before heading to the Haram. In that order.
Saudi Arabia also launched a zero-data access feature that lets pilgrims use the Nusuk app without consuming mobile data or needing Wi-Fi, so essential services like permits, maps, and emergency contacts work even in low-connectivity areas.
What the Tourist Visa Route Looks Like in 1448AH
Pilgrims without a dedicated Umrah visa have an alternative route. The Saudi tourist e-visa allows Umrah outside the Hajj season. Pilgrims must still book accommodation and transport through Nusuk-approved providers and issue an Umrah permit via the Nusuk app.
This option significantly opens up the Umrah season calendar for independent travelers who prefer not to book through group packages. It does, however, place the burden of compliance entirely on the individual — every booking must run through Nusuk-approved providers, and the permit must be active before any attempt to enter the Haram.
Rules That Operators and Agents Must Follow
The Ministry called on Umrah companies and overseas agents to adhere to the approved schedule and comply with all regulations and instructions issued by the ministry to ensure the delivery of high-quality services. Violations carry legal consequences under Saudi law.
The Ministry also confirmed that the updated Umrah season calendar forms part of broader digital transformation goals: streamlining procedures, cutting out inefficiencies, and improving the pilgrim experience through integrated operational services. For Umrah package registration, every step now routes through the electronic platform. Agents who delay contracting or operate outside registered channels face exclusion from the season entirely.
The Season Closes in Spring 2027. Plan Accordingly
The Umrah season calendar for 1448 AH gives pilgrims a ten-month runway, but that window has internal pressure points. Ramadan 2027 falls in late March, meaning the final entry deadline of March 23 coincides almost exactly with the start of the holy month — historically the busiest booking period of the entire Umrah calendar. Pilgrims must also keep a close eye on the Umrah 2026 Hajj overlap dates to make sure their entry does not conflict with the strict regulatory closures that protect annual Hajj movements.
The practical advice is to plan for an early-season or mid-season visit: June through November 2026 offers the widest availability, the most competitive pricing, and the least operational pressure on the Haram’s entry systems.
A Season That Begins the Same Way It Always Does
Somewhere, a family is already cross-checking the 1448 AH Umrah season calendar against school breaks and annual leave, counting days, circling dates in March or September or January. The logistics are different every year, the digital permits, the app, the contracted operators, but the pull remains unchanged. Makkah at Fajr, the Kaaba in the early morning half-light, the crowd moving in a single direction with a single intention. The Umrah season calendar 1448 AH opens that door from May 31, 2026. The planning begins now.
FAQs
What is the Umrah season calendar for 1448 AH?
The 1448 AH Umrah season calendar, released by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on May 17, 2026, runs from May 31, 2026 to April 7, 2027. It covers visa issuance, Makkah entry, and final departure deadlines.
When does the 1448 AH Umrah season open?
Umrah visa issuance and pilgrim entry into Saudi Arabia begin May 31, 2026. Makkah entry and Nusuk permit issuance open the following day, June 1, 2026.
Do I need the Nusuk app to perform Umrah in 2026?
Yes. The Nusuk app is mandatory for all pilgrims. A valid Umrah visa alone no longer guarantees entry to Masjid al-Haram. Pilgrims must secure a Nusuk-issued digital permit before arriving at the Haram gates.
What is the final date to enter Saudi Arabia for Umrah 1448?
The last date for pilgrims to enter the Kingdom is March 23, 2027. The final visa issuance deadline is March 9, 2027. All pilgrims must depart by April 7, 2027.
Can I perform Umrah on a tourist visa during 1448 AH?
Yes. The Saudi tourist e-visa permits Umrah outside the Hajj season. Pilgrims must book accommodation and transport through Nusuk-approved providers and obtain an Umrah permit through the Nusuk app.
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