Important Umrah Deadline Updates Before Hajj 2026 You Must Know

The spiritual journey to perform Umrah never changes. But as Hajj dates come close, Saudi Arabia sets the closing date of Umrah 2026. Saudi Arabia officials work on the timeline of visas of tourists electronically.

For any reason, if you overstay in Saudi Arabia before Umrah closing dates, you may have to pay a fine, or it may lead to deportation.

Saudi Arabia follows a well-organized plan between Umrah and Hajj seasons. This isn't about crowd control. It's an operation to prepare for millions of Hajj pilgrims.

You must know the Umrah visa closing dates before applying for an Umrah visa. Or else your travel plans could fall apart. Let's know together how to keep your journey smooth.

Umrah Closing Date 2026: Official Deadline Announced by the Ministry

For this year- 2026 and lunar year-1447 Hijri, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has given a deadline and has announced the deadline for the issuance of Umrah visas.

Umrah visas will not be issued for the last week of April and the starting weeks of May. The Umrah closing date for 2026 will be 15th of Dhul Qa'dah, 1447H , i.e., 2nd April 2026.

This date will be the start of the reparation period of Hajj. If you want to arrive in the country, this is the last date of Umrah before Hajj 2026.

After this date, the officials stop you at the airport, even if you hold a valid Umrah visa.

Last Date to Enter Saudi Arabia for Umrah Before Hajj 1447H

If you hold an Umrah visa, the entry deadline is what matters. Some travelers think they can fly in a week before Hajj and leave quickly. But you will have to face trouble.

During this period, the security at airports in Jeddah and Madinah tightens up. And your visas will be checked at the immigration itself.

If you booked travel for early May 2026, check your dates against the lunar calendar. When you arrive after the cutoff date, then immigration flags your visit visa as invalid. 

The Saudi Umrah visa deadline of 2026 will be checked at the border. Play it safe and book your travel at least two weeks before the expected closure. That gives you wiggle room if officials adjust dates based on the moon sighting.

Final Exit Deadline: When Must Pilgrims Leave Saudi Arabia?

You need to leave before the authorities clear things out. Usually, the final exit date lands about a week to ten days after the last entry date. This period lets you finish your Umrah rituals. And head home before the entry ban to Makkah before Hajj kicks in fully.

Staying beyond the last date of Umrah before Hajj 2026 may put you in trouble. For most foreign pilgrims, getting a Hajj permit is nearly impossible anyway. The authorities start clearing Umrah performers from the holy sites to make room.

Without the right paperwork, you are not supposed to be there in Makkah or Madinah. You will have to face the Umrah rules before Hajj season.

What Happens If You Overstay Your Umrah Visa? Penalties Explained

Overstaying in Saudi Arabia is not a small mistake. It carries real weight. With digital tracking and exit systems, the government knows exactly who is still in the country.

If you ignore the Umrah closing date 2026 and stay past your visa, fines start adding up.

The Umrah visa overstay fine increases over time. At first, it is a daily fee. But if they catch you during Hajj season without a permit, you are looking at a SAR 10,000 fine (around $2,600) plus deportation.

On top of that, you can be banned from re-entering Saudi Arabia for years. That is why understanding the Hajj season travel restrictions Saudi Arabia puts in place matters.

You cannot hide out in a hotel in Jeddah waiting for a later flight. The electronic systems at city entrances and holy site checkpoints will flag your visa status immediately.

Can You Perform Umrah on a Tourist Visa Before Hajj Season?

People often wonder if tourist visas bypass the Umrah 1447H deadline.

With a tourist visa, you are allowed to enter the state of Arabs. But you cannot get entry into Makkah or Madina. You must have the permits through the Nusuk app to enter these holy places.

As the Saudi Umrah visa deadline of 2026 nears, the app stops to issue Umrah permits to everyone, including tourists. And with tourist visa, you can stay in Saudi Arabia.

Restrictions in Makkah and Madinah During Hajj Preparations

At the time of preparation for Hajj, the government issues some restrictions for dwellings of both the cities. The government starts setting up tent cities in Mina and Arafat.

Service workers flood the streets preparing for millions of guests. If you happen to still be around without proper clearance, life gets complicated.

Roads near the Haram close to regular traffic. Only authorized Hajj buses can pass. You cannot get access to the Mataf area, around the Kaaba. It may require a Hajj permit. 

Even in Madinah, you cannot visit the Prophet's Mosque easily. Security tightens around the city center, which will stop you from entering Masjid al Haram. These Saudi Arabia pilgrimage updates exist for safety.

If authorities find you without an Umrah permit after Umrah Closing Date 2026, you have to pay a fine. This may even lead you to the deportation process.

When Will Umrah Reopen After Hajj 2026? Expected Dates & Updates

Somehow if you had missed the chance to perform Umrah before Hajj, no need to be worried. You can perform Umrah again after the season of Hajj.

Important Dates to Remember for 2026:

Last Date 

• For Umrah Visa Issuance: 18-March, 2026.

• To Enter KSA: 2-April, 2026. (15th Dhul Qa'dah).

• Final Exit for Umrah Visitors: 18-April, 2026.

• Umrah Reopens: Mid-June 2026.

TAKEAWAY

The Umrah closing date 2026 is not just paperwork. This is the Hajj preparation period, Saudi Arabia will take these measures every year to protect pilgrims of Umrah and Hajj.

You can apply early in the months of March and April to perform Umrah before Hajj 2026. This will save you from last minute policy changes.

The journey is about devotion. Part of that is respecting the laws of the country you visit. Plan ahead and leave before the deadlines. So that you can stay safe and perform Umrah on time.

FAQs

Can I perform Umrah on a tourist visa before Hajj?

You can enter Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa. But as the dates of Hajj get close, you will not get a permit to enter the premises of Haram through Nusuk. You will be stuck in other cities and cannot perform Umrah.

What happens if I overstay?

You have to pay a fine and deportation. And your entry will be banned.

When will Umrah reopen after Hajj?

Every year Umrah will reopen after the completion of Hajj. You can perform Umrah again after Hajj. And the officials of Saudi Arabia will declare the dates to resume Umrah.

Can I stay in Saudi Arabia and perform Hajj if I came for Umrah?

No. You need a separate Hajj visa approved beforehand. Umrah visas do not convert to Hajj permits. Attempting to stay is a serious violation.

Are there penalties or bans?

Yes. Beyond fines, if you overstay, it will lead to deportation. And multiyear bans on reentering Saudi Arabia. That can affect future Umrah trips or work opportunities.