Umrah is one of the most popular trips for Muslims living in the UK. Every year, thousands of people fly from London, Manchester and Birmingham to Saudi Arabia to perform it. Yet if you have never been, the words and rules can be confusing. What is the difference between Umrah and Hajj? Which visa do you need? What does “all inclusive” actually include?
This guide answers the most common questions in plain English. Whether you are planning your own first trip or just want to understand what friends and family are talking about, it should help.
What is Umrah?
Umrah is a short pilgrimage to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It is sometimes called the “lesser pilgrimage”. Muslims perform a set of simple rites there:
- Ihram. They enter a state of worship and wear simple clothes. Men wear two plain white cloths. Women wear modest everyday clothes.
- Tawaf. They walk seven times around the Kaaba, the black cube-shaped building at the centre of the mosque.
- Sa’i. They walk seven times between two small hills called Safa and Marwah.
- Cutting the hair. Men shave or trim their hair. Women cut a small piece.
The rites themselves take a few hours. Most people from the UK stay for one to two weeks and also visit Madinah, the city of the Prophet’s Mosque.
How is Umrah different from Hajj?
This is one of the most common questions.
- Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every adult Muslim who is able to go must do it once in their life. It happens only once a year, on fixed dates, and lasts about five days.
- Umrah is not required in the same way, but it is highly valued. It can be done at most times of the year.
Hajj has more rites, is much busier and costs a lot more. Many people from the UK do Umrah once or more before they go for Hajj.
When can you do Umrah?
You can do Umrah in most months of the year. The main exception is around the Hajj season, when Umrah is not allowed during the days of Hajj.
Some months are more popular than others:
- Ramadan is the busiest and most expensive time, as the reward for Umrah in this month is believed to be very great.
- December is popular with UK families because of the school holidays and the cooler weather.
- September to November is often the quietest and cheapest time to go.
- Summer is cheaper but very hot. Temperatures in Makkah often go over 40°C.
Do you need a visa?
Yes. Everyone needs permission to enter Saudi Arabia, and to do Umrah. There are two things to sort out:
- A visa that lets you enter the country.
- A permit on Nusuk, the official Saudi app for pilgrims, that lets you perform Umrah.
If you have a British passport
British passport holders have it fairly easy. You can apply online, either for an Umrah visa or for the Saudi tourist e-visa, which can also be used for Umrah outside the Hajj season.
If you live in the UK but have another passport
Many Muslims in the UK hold a passport from another country, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh or India. You can usually still get an Umrah visa from the UK, but you will need to show proof that you live here. This could be a biometric residence permit or a valid UK visa.
How much does a visa cost?
As a guide, an Umrah visa from the UK usually costs between £120 and £160 per person. This normally includes the visa fee, the medical insurance you must have, and processing.
How long does it take?
Most Umrah visas are ready within 24 to 72 hours. It can take longer in busy times such as Ramadan and the school holidays, so do not leave it to the last minute.
How long can you stay?
Umrah visas are usually valid for 90 days, and you can stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days.
What documents do you need?
- A passport valid for at least six months after your travel dates
- A recent passport photo with a white background
- Proof of UK residence, if you do not have a British passport
- Your travel and hotel details
If you are unsure which visa suits you, a guide to getting an Umrah visa from UK from a licensed travel agent can help. A good agent will check your documents before sending them, which cuts the chance of mistakes and delays.
Can women go without a male guardian?
Yes. Under current Saudi rules, women can get an Umrah visa and perform Umrah without a mahram, a close male relative. This has made it much easier for women to travel alone or in women-only groups. Children can also get visas without travelling with a mahram, though they will of course travel with a responsible adult.
What is an “all inclusive” Umrah package?
You will see this phrase on a lot of UK travel websites. It does not mean the same as an all-inclusive beach holiday with free food and drink all day.
For Umrah, all inclusive usually means:
- Return flights from the UK
- Your Umrah visa
- A hotel in Makkah
- A hotel in Madinah
- Airport transfers
- Transport between Makkah and Madinah
Meals are often not included, though many hotels offer breakfast, and some packages let you add meal plans. Travel insurance and the meningitis ACWY jab are usually extra too.
The big advantage of all inclusive Umrah packages is that you make one booking and pay one price. If anything goes wrong, you have one company to call. For first-timers and families, this is often much easier than booking flights, hotels and transport separately.
How much does Umrah cost from the UK?
Prices depend on three things: when you travel, how close your hotel is to the Grand Mosque, and how many nights you stay. As a rough guide, per person with flights included and four people sharing a room:
- 3-star packages: From around £450 to £500 for 7 nights
- 4-star packages: Around £470 to £580 for 7 to 10 nights
- 5-star packages: Around £575 to £750 for 7 to 10 nights
- Rooms with a view of the Kaaba: Often well over £1,000
Ramadan and December cost more. On top of the package, keep some money aside for meals, insurance, the meningitis jab and gifts.
How do you choose a good travel agent?
Sadly, every year some people lose money to fake or badly run travel firms. Before you book, check:
- ATOL protection. Any UK package with flights should be ATOL protected. You can check the ATOL number on the Civil Aviation Authority website. This protects your money if the company goes bust.
- A real UK office. Look for an address and a phone number, not just a social media page.
- Hotel names. Ask which hotels you will stay in before you pay, and how far they are from the mosque.
- Reviews. Read reviews on independent sites.
- Payment plans. Many UK agents let you pay a deposit and spread the rest over monthly payments.
Do you need any jabs?
Yes. The meningitis ACWY jab is required for pilgrims. You should get it at least ten days before you travel. UK pharmacies usually charge around £40 to £70. It is also worth checking the NHS Fit for Travel website for other advice.
What should you pack?
Keep it light. The basics are:
- Two sets of ihram for men, and loose, modest clothes for women
- Comfortable sandals you have already broken in
- Unscented soap, shampoo and deodorant, as scented products are not allowed while in ihram
- A small bag to carry your shoes in the mosque
- A refillable water bottle
- Basic medicine
- Copies of your passport, visa and hotel bookings
Can you visit Madinah on the same trip?
Yes, and most people do. Madinah is about 450 km north of Makkah. You can travel between the two cities by coach or by the Haramain high-speed train, which takes under three hours. Most packages split the stay between both cities.
In Madinah, many pilgrims hope to pray in the Rawdah, a special area of the Prophet’s Mosque. Visits are booked in time slots on the Nusuk app, and they fill up fast in busy months, so book yours as soon as you can.
Final word
Umrah can seem complicated at first, but the basics are simple. Get the right visa for your passport, sort out your Nusuk permit and your jab, and pick a trusted, ATOL-protected travel agent. An all inclusive package can take care of most of the hard work, so you can focus on what the trip is really about.
