Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has officially announced the Umrah season calendar for 1448 AH, confirming key dates for visa issuance, pilgrim arrivals, Nusuk permits, and final departure deadlines.
The ministry confirmed that Umrah visa issuance and the arrival of international pilgrims will begin on May 31, 2026, marking the official launch of the new Umrah season following the conclusion of Hajj 1447 AH.
In a separate announcement, the Saudi Supreme Court officially confirmed the Hajj and Eid al-Adha dates for 2026 following the verified sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon, setting Arafat Day on Tuesday, May 26, and Eid al-Adha on Wednesday, May 27.
Umrah Visa Issuance Starts May 31, 2026
According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, pilgrims from around the world can begin applying for Umrah visas from May 31, 2026.
The ministry said the official Umrah schedule has been announced to improve operational efficiency and allow Umrah enterprises, overseas agents, and pilgrims to plan.
The calendar covers details related to:
- Electronic visa services
- Contract procedures between Umrah companies and overseas agents
- Pilgrim arrival schedules
- Umrah permit processes through the Nusuk app
- Final travel and departure deadlines
The ministry urged all Umrah service providers and overseas agents to strictly adhere to the approved schedule and all regulations to ensure high-quality services for pilgrims throughout the season.
Umrah Permits Through the Nusuk App From June 1, 2026
Starting June 1, 2026, pilgrims will be able to:
- Enter Makkah and proceed to the Masjid al-Haram
- Apply for Umrah permits through the official Nusuk app
The Nusuk application is the official platform used by Saudi authorities to book and manage Umrah and pilgrimage services. Every pilgrim, regardless of visa type, must obtain a valid Nusuk Umrah permit before entering the Haram. Entry can be denied at the gate without one.
Nusuk also handles Rawdah visit bookings for the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, compares packages from licensed operators, and coordinates transport and accommodation.
Key Umrah 2026–2027 Dates and Deadlines (1448 AH)
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed the following official dates for the 1448 AH Umrah season:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Umrah visa issuance begins | May 31, 2026 |
| Pilgrims can enter Makkah and obtain permits via Nusuk | June 1, 2026 |
| Last date to issue Umrah visas | March 9, 2027 |
| Final entry date into Saudi Arabia | March 23, 2027 |
| Final departure date for all Umrah pilgrims | April 7, 2027 |
The 1448 AH Umrah season spans approximately 10 months, from June 1, 2026, through April 7, 2027.
Saudi Supreme Court Announces Hajj and Eid al-Adha Dates
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court announced the official Hajj and Eid al-Adha dates after confirming the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon.
According to the court:
- Monday, May 18, marks the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH
- Tuesday, May 26, is the Day of Arafat
- Wednesday, May 27, is the first day of Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Press Agency reported that the Supreme Court announced the decision after holding a session on Sunday evening, May 17, and reviewing testimony from witnesses who sighted the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah across the Kingdom. The Crescent Sighting Department of the Supreme Court officially confirmed the beginning of the Islamic month after verifying all submitted reports.
The Complete Hajj 1447 AH Schedule
| Hijri Date | Gregorian Date | Hajj Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dhul Hijjah 1447 | Monday, May 18, 2026 | First day of Dhul Hijjah confirmed |
| 8 Dhul Hijjah 1447 | Monday, May 25, 2026 | Yawm al-Tarwiyah — pilgrims enter Ihram, move to Mina |
| 9 Dhul Hijjah 1447 | Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | Day of Arafat — pinnacle of Hajj |
| 10 Dhul Hijjah 1447 | Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Eid al-Adha — Jamarat stoning, Qurbani, Tawaf al-Ifadah |
| 11 Dhul Hijjah 1447 | Thursday, May 28, 2026 | First day of Tashreeq |
| 12 Dhul Hijjah 1447 | Friday, May 29, 2026 | Second day of Tashreeq |
| 13 Dhul Hijjah 1447 | Saturday, May 30, 2026 | Third day of Tashreeq — Hajj concludes |
Day of Arafat — Tuesday, May 26, 2026
The Day of Arafat (Wuquf) is the most sacred day in the Islamic calendar and the spiritual peak of the Hajj pilgrimage. On this day, millions of pilgrims gather on the plains of Mount Arafat near Makkah, standing in prayer, supplication, and remembrance of Allah from midday until sunset.
For Muslims who are not performing Hajj, fasting on the Day of Arafat is a confirmed Sunnah; the Prophet ﷺ said it expiates the sins of the past and coming year.
This year carries a rare astronomical significance: for the first time in 33 years, the sun will be positioned directly overhead the Kaaba on the Day of Arafat, casting no shadow, a moment noted by observatories across the Islamic world.
Eid al-Adha 2026 — Wednesday, May 27, in Saudi Arabia
Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, will be celebrated in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, corresponding to 10 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH.
The celebration commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s complete submission to Allah, his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, and the divine provision of a ram in Ismail’s place. On Eid al-Adha, Muslims who are able perform Qurbani (ritual animal sacrifice), dividing the meat equally among family, relatives, and those in need.
Eid al-Adha is also the day Hajj pilgrims complete their central rites at Mina, the stoning of Jamarat al-Aqabah, Qurbani, and Tawaf al-Ifadah.
Note for expats: Eid al-Adha brings a public holiday in Saudi Arabia, typically 3–5 days. Exact holiday dates for government and private sector employees are confirmed separately by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. Roads, domestic flights, and intercity buses will be heavily booked; plan travel early.
The Supreme Court’s Prayer for Pilgrims and Saudi Leadership
In its official statement, the Supreme Court offered prayers for Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, praising their continued service to pilgrims visiting the holy sites of Makkah and Madinah.
The court also prayed for:
- Ease, comfort, and spiritual acceptance for all Hajj pilgrims
- Continued security, stability, and prosperity for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- The acceptance of pilgrims’ worship and rituals by Allah
Why Does Umrah Close Before Hajj Every Year?
Every year, Saudi Arabia pauses the issuance of Umrah visas weeks before Hajj to allow a structured transition. For the 1447 AH season that just concluded:
- Umrah visa issuance stopped: March 19, 2026
- Last date for pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia: April 3, 2026
- Final departure date for Umrah pilgrims: April 18, 2026
This gap, typically lasting 65–70 days before Hajj, gives Saudi authorities, hospitality operators, and transport providers critical time to:
- Clear post-Ramadan crowds from Makkah and Madinah
- Reconfigure hotel blocks from short Umrah stays to extended Hajj stays
- Deploy Hajj-specific transport routing and Haramain Metro scheduling
- Complete final safety inspections at Mina, Jamarat, and Arafat
- Process and verify Hajj permits for registered pilgrims
The 1448 AH season opening on May 31, 2026, just 4 days after Hajj concludes, reflects how tightly the ministry has optimized this transition window under the Vision 2030 Pilgrim Experience Program.
What Expats in Saudi Arabia Need to Know
For the Kingdom’s millions of expatriate residents, particularly from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Egypt, these dates carry direct practical importance:
Performing Umrah as a resident: Saudi Iqama holders do not need an Umrah visa. From June 1, 2026, residents can perform Umrah by obtaining a Nusuk permit through the app using their Iqama number; no additional visa is required.
Inviting family members for Umrah: If sponsoring a family visit for Umrah, the earliest they can arrive in Makkah is June 1, 2026. Their trip must end with departure from the Kingdom by April 7, 2027, at the latest.
Tourist e-visa holders: The Saudi tourist e-visa allows Umrah outside the Hajj season. Pilgrims on tourist visas must still obtain a Nusuk Umrah permit before entering the Haram, and book accommodation through Nusuk-approved providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Umrah visa issuance begins May 31, 2026. Pilgrims can physically enter Makkah and obtain permits through the Nusuk app from June 1, 2026.
Last date to issue Umrah visas: March 9, 2027. Last date to enter Saudi Arabia: March 23, 2027. All pilgrims must depart the Kingdom by April 7, 2027.
Hajj 1447 AH runs from May 25 to May 30, 2026. The Day of Arafat is Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia is on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
The Saudi Supreme Court held a session on Sunday evening, May 17, reviewed testimonies from moon-sighting witnesses across the Kingdom, and officially confirmed Monday, May 18, as the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH, setting all downstream Hajj and Eid dates accordingly.
Nusuk is the official Saudi government platform for Hajj and Umrah services. All pilgrims, whether on Umrah visa, tourist e-visa, or resident Iqama, must obtain a Nusuk permit before entering the Masjid al-Haram. Without a valid permit, entry at the Haram gates can be denied. Download at nusuk.sa or from the App Store / Google Play.
No. The Umrah season pauses before Hajj. During the Hajj period, only holders of an official Hajj permit and a Hajj visa are permitted to enter the Haram vicinity. Umrah access resumes from June 1, 2026, for the 1448 AH season.
A standard Umrah visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days from the date of entry. This cannot be extended and must comply with the season-wide departure deadline of April 7, 2027.
Yes, fasting on the Day of Arafat (May 26, 2026) is a confirmed Sunnah for Muslims not performing Hajj. Pilgrims at Arafat do not fast; fasting is specific to those not on Hajj.
Full Summary: All Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | Confirmed Date |
|---|---|
| First day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH | Monday, May 18, 2026 |
| Hajj begins (Yawm al-Tarwiyah) | Monday, May 25, 2026 |
| Day of Arafat | Tuesday, May 26, 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha (Saudi Arabia) | Wednesday, May 27, 2026 |
| Hajj concludes | Saturday, May 30, 2026 |
| Umrah visa issuance resumes (1448 AH) | May 31, 2026 |
| Pilgrims enter Makkah via Nusuk | June 1, 2026 |
| Last date for Umrah visa issuance | March 9, 2027 |
| Last date to enter Saudi Arabia | March 23, 2027 |
| All Umrah pilgrims must depart | April 7, 2027 |
Source: Saudi Press Agency (SPA); Ministry of Hajj and Umrah official announcement, May 18, 2026; Saudi Supreme Court crescent moon announcement, May 17, 2026. Reported by Saudi Scoop News Desk.
Disclaimer: Islamic calendar dates outside Saudi Arabia may vary by 1 day due to local moon sighting. Always confirm with your national Hajj mission and official Saudi government channels before making travel arrangements.
I’m Soha Owais, a law graduate with an LLB (Hons), blending my legal background with a passion for storytelling. As an author and writer at Saudiscoop.com, I craft engaging narratives that connect with both local and international audiences, bringing a fresh and informed perspective to the stories that matter.
