The reform is primarily aimed at markets with a long-standing tradition of Islamic pilgrimage. Among the countries expected to benefit most are Indonesia, Egypt, Türkiye, and Bangladesh, all of which send large numbers of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia each year to perform Umrah. Saudi authorities believe that facilitating travel from these destinations will strengthen cooperation in religious tourism while deepening ties with some of the world's largest Muslim communities.
Indonesia, home to the largest Muslim population in the world, is one of the main beneficiaries of the updated system. The multiple-entry visa will allow Indonesian citizens to make repeated visits throughout the validity period, providing greater convenience for families, religious organizations, and individual travelers. The expanded digital process is also expected to simplify travel preparations before departure.
Egypt, another major source market for Saudi Arabia’s religious tourism sector, will also benefit from the new visa policy. The expanded system removes the need for pilgrims to submit a separate visa application for every journey, offering greater flexibility for those who travel frequently. In addition, digital tools will help travelers organize approved services and secure the required permits before arriving in the Kingdom.
Türkiye is likewise included among the countries benefiting from the revised visa framework. By allowing multiple trips during the visa’s validity period, Turkish pilgrims will enjoy greater flexibility in choosing their travel dates while reducing the administrative procedures associated with each visit. According to the initiative, the changes respond to growing demand for technology-driven solutions that make religious travel more efficient and accessible.
Bangladesh, where demand for Umrah travel remains consistently high, will also receive more favorable travel conditions. Saudi authorities believe that longer visa validity, combined with multiple-entry privileges and an improved digital environment, will simplify pilgrimage planning while strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of religious tourism.
The initiative extends well beyond these four countries. Travelers from Pakistan, Malaysia, India, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman are also expected to benefit from easier and more flexible access to Umrah. Through this broader approach, Saudi Arabia aims to expand the program’s international reach while strengthening global connectivity for pilgrims throughout most of the year.
A central component of the new system is the Nusuk digital platform, which has become the primary gateway for organizing pilgrimage travel. Through the platform, visitors can purchase approved service packages, obtain the necessary permits, and complete much of the required travel process before arriving in Saudi Arabia. The goal is to integrate pilgrims, service providers, and government authorities into a single digital ecosystem, improving coordination and delivering a more organized travel experience.
Although the reform significantly expands opportunities for performing Umrah, Saudi authorities have confirmed that the multiple-entry visa will continue to be suspended during the annual Hajj season. This temporary restriction is intended to ensure the safe and efficient management of the exceptionally large number of pilgrims who arrive for Hajj each year. Outside that period, however, the updated visa system is expected to provide travelers with much greater flexibility while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in religious tourism and advancing the long-term objectives of Vision 2030.
