Saudi Arabia has announced the calendar for the new 1448 AH Umrah season, providing the tourism market and pilgrims with clear guidelines nearly a year in advance. Authorities confirmed that the issuance of Umrah visas and the arrival of pilgrims to the kingdom will start on May 31, 2026, and from June 1, pilgrims will be able to enter Mecca and obtain permits through the Nusuk application.
Essentially, this is an early signal for travelers, tour operators, airlines, and the hotel sector: bookings, logistics, and service packages for the 2026-2027 season can be planned in advance, based on official deadlines. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia has set March 9, 2027, as the final date for visa issuance, March 23, 2027, as the final day for pilgrims to enter the country, and April 7, 2027, as the deadline for their departure.
This is important for the travel market for two reasons. First, the Umrah season creates stable demand for flights, accommodation, transfers, and support services in Saudi Arabia. Second, the earlier the calendar is released, the easier it is for companies to allocate quotas, synchronize contracts with partners, and avoid peak disruptions before active periods.
Separately, the authorities emphasized the digital route for pilgrims. Nusuk remains the key official tool for obtaining permits and managing a portion of the services related to the trip. This means that travelers should not only monitor the dates but also check document requirements, package availability, and entry conditions in advance through official channels or accredited agents.
For the pilgrims themselves, the new calendar reduces uncertainty: it is already clear when the new application cycle will begin and by which dates the trip must be completed. For the Middle East tourism industry, this is another step toward more predictable and digital management of one of the largest religious flows in the world.