· indianinsaudi · hajj-umrah  · 4 min read

Hajj & Umrah — Complete Guide for Indian Expats in Saudi Arabia

Everything about Hajj and Umrah — applying through Nusuk, permits, eligibility, insurance, leave rules, and the latest quota system. Your complete pilgrimage reference.

Everything about Hajj and Umrah — applying through Nusuk, permits, eligibility, insurance, leave rules, and the latest quota system. Your complete pilgrimage reference.

Performing Hajj and Umrah is a dream for every Muslim, and living in Saudi Arabia gives you a unique advantage — you’re already in the Kingdom. But the process has changed significantly with the Nusuk app, quota systems, and new regulations. This guide covers everything you need to know.

Table of Contents

Umrah Visa via Nusuk

The Nusuk app is the official platform for Umrah permits. Residents of Saudi Arabia book their Umrah permit in Nusuk; visitors from abroad get an Umrah visa through Nusuk or a licensed Umrah agent, and also need a Nusuk permit before entering Makkah for Umrah.

Key steps:

  1. Download the Nusuk app
  2. Create an account (residents log in with their iqama details through Nafath; visitors use their passport/visa details)
  3. Select your Umrah dates and group
  4. Pay for your package, if you are booking one (visitors from abroad need a package)
  5. Receive your digital permit

📖 Full guide: How to Apply Umrah Visa Online Using Nusuk

Umrah Permits 2026

The latest Nusuk updates for 2026 include new booking windows, group requirements, and eligibility criteria for Indian expats.

📖 Full guide: Umrah Permits 2026 — Latest Nusuk App Updates

Umrah Quota System 2026

Our linked guide looks at reports of a quota system for the 1448 season. We could not find an official Saudi announcement of per-country Umrah visa quotas, and in September 2026 the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s Umrah undersecretary said there were no new requirements for Umrah performers (Asharq Al-Awsat). Check Nusuk for the current rules.

📖 Full guide: Saudi Umrah Visa Quota System 2026

Umrah Season Opens 1448

The 1448 Umrah season opened on 31 May 2026 (visas) and 1 June 2026 (Nusuk permits for Makkah). The last date to issue Umrah visas is 9 March 2027, the last entry date is 23 March 2027, and Umrah visa holders must leave by 7 April 2027 (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah). Single-entry Umrah visas must be used within 30 days of issue, and a one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa was launched in July 2026.

📖 Full guide: Saudi Arabia Opens Umrah Visa Applications for 1448 Season

Hajj Eligibility via Absher

You can check if you’re eligible for Hajj through the Absher portal. You need a valid iqama and must be at least 15 years old; there is no upper age limit. People who have not performed Hajj before get priority until the end of Shawwal, after which anyone eligible can book (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah FAQ).

📖 Full guide: How to Check Eligibility for Hajj Through Absher

Hajj Insurance Status

Health insurance is mandatory for pilgrims coming from abroad and is issued with the Hajj or Umrah visa. You can check its status online with the Council of Health Insurance (CHI).

📖 Full guide: How to Check Your Hajj Insurance Status Online

Hajj & Umrah Leave — Paid or Not?

Under Article 114 of the Saudi Labor Law, a worker who has not performed Hajj before and has served the employer for at least two consecutive years is entitled to paid Hajj leave of 10 to 15 days (including the Eid al-Adha holiday), once during their service; the employer may limit how many workers get it each year. The law does not provide a separate Umrah leave. Here’s what the law says.

📖 Full guide: Is Hajj and Umrah Leave Paid as per Saudi Labor Law?

Eid Qurbani Procedure

If you’re performing Hajj or want to do Qurbani (sacrifice) during Eid, here’s the complete procedure for doing it in Saudi Arabia.

📖 Full guide: Procedure to Perform Eid Qurbani in Saudi Arabia

Hajj 2026 Concludes

The 2026 Hajj season concluded with 1,707,301 pilgrims (1,546,655 from abroad and 160,646 domestic), according to GASTAT. Here’s a summary of how it went.

📖 Full guide: Saudi Arabia Concludes Hajj 2026

Prohibited Places During Hajj

During Hajj season, Makkah and the Holy Sites are restricted to those with valid Hajj permits (or a Makkah iqama or work permit for the holy sites). For 1447 AH, performing Hajj without a permit carried a fine of up to SAR 20,000, and helping violators up to SAR 100,000.

📖 Full guide: Don’t Try to Enter These Places During Hajj Season Without Permit

Smart Tawaf Golf Carts

Saudi Arabia introduced smart golf carts to help elderly and disabled pilgrims perform Tawaf more easily.

📖 Full guide: Saudi Arabia Introduces Smart Golf Carts for Easy Tawaf

🔗 Related Guides

Last updated: November 2026. Hajj and Umrah regulations change annually — always verify with Nusuk or the Saudi Hajj Ministry.

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