Strategic Reopening Follows Supreme Court Eid Declaration

Following the official sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon, the Saudi Supreme Court announced that the Day of Arafat will fall on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with the global Muslim community celebrating Eid Al-Adha on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

To ensure a seamless transition between the concluding Hajj operations and the upcoming 1448 AH Umrah season, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has established a swift operational restart. International pilgrims, particularly corporate and luxury travelers from major Turkish hubs like Istanbul and Ankara, can formally submit visa applications starting May 31, 2026.

Mandatory Nusuk App and Digital Permit Enforcement

A critical regulation updates crowd control policies for the post-Eid season. Beginning June 1, 2026, access to the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) for performing Umrah and praying in the Rawdah at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah will strictly require active digital permits generated through the official Nusuk App.

Tour operators and independent pilgrims must synchronize their hotel bookings and arrivals with these digital time slots to eliminate gate delays. Furthermore, a strict 30-day physical entry window is now attached to all issued Umrah visas; the visa becomes void if border control is not crossed within 30 days of approval.

Full 1448 AH Umrah Season Operational Deadlines

For agencies and families mapping out their spiritual journeys for late 2026 and early 2027, the Ministry has finalized the seasonal bookends:

• Visa Issuance Reopening: May 31, 2026 (14 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH)
• Makkah Entry & Nusuk Activation: June 1, 2026
• Final Season Visa Cutoff: March 9, 2027
• Final Seasonal Departure Deadline: April 7, 2027