Every year, the question of whether you can go for Umrah after Ramadan becomes one of the most searched questions on the site — and for good reason.
With the Saudi tourist visa now available to 49+ countries, the rules around performing Umrah after Ramadan have changed significantly over the years and continue to evolve.
Below, I’ve broken down exactly what you need to know for 2026, whether you’re on a tourist visa, visa waiver, or Umrah visa.
Umrah Visa vs Tourist Visa vs Visa Waiver — Know the Difference
Before anything else, this distinction matters because the rules are different depending on which visa you hold.
Most of the rules announced apply to those performing Umrah on an Umrah visa, not to the other, more flexible types, since they still need agent-issued visas.
If you’re performing Umrah on an Umrah visa, your window to apply closes after the first two weeks of Ramadan — roughly mid-Ramadan. No new visas are issued after that point. Umrah visas reopen approximately one month after Hajj concludes.
If you’re performing Umrah on a tourist visa or UK visa waiver, you have slightly more flexibility in terms of timing — but you still cannot be in Makkah during the official Hajj closure period.
Based on past years, tourist and e-visa holders have sometimes been given a slightly earlier reopening date than Umrah visa holders after Hajj, which I’ll cover below.
2026 Umrah After Ramadan and Hajj Official Closing Dates
Something worth noting before I give you the dates: for 2026, Saudi Arabia issued the Umrah visa rules, which are a strong indicator.
In 12 years of monitoring these changes, they have rarely done this publicly.
It is genuinely positive progress and a sign that they want to be more organised.
These dates are confirmed from haj.gov.sa and are primarily for Umrah visa holders.
Tourist visa and visa waiver holders should treat these as a strong guide — I expect a hard-closure announcement for those visa types closer to the date, and will update this page as soon as that’s confirmed.
- Last date to enter Saudi Arabia for Umrah: 3 April 2026 (this is for Umrah visa holders, and I know that you can enter on a tourist visa even after, as I did in 2025.
- Last date to depart Saudi Arabia: 18 April 2026. This is more of a hard line, as they will start checks on Makkah checkpoints
- Hajj 2026: 24–29 May 2026
- Umrah closure window: 18 April – approx. 11 June 2026
- Umrah reopens for Umrah visa holders: approximately 11 June 2026
- Umrah reopens for tourist visa/visa waiver holders: approximately 8–10 June 2026 (based on 2025 pattern)
We have a full guide on how to perform a DIY Umrah that you should read
Previous years closures examples
I have been monitoring those closures for nearly 10 years since I started writing this post.
Every year, I update it.
Every year, this gap is getting smaller as Saudi is getting better. Years ago, it used to be 3 months, and now it is 2 months.
As someone who has done Haj,j I know how much effort goes into preparing for it.
Every year, the closure window is getting earlier, and the gap is getting longer. Look at how much has changed in just three years:
| Year | Last Entry (Umrah Visa) | Last Exit | Reopened (Umrah Visa) | Reopened (Tourist / Waiver) |
| 2024 | 23 May | 6 June | – | 7 July |
| 2025 | 13 April | 29 April | 11 June | 10 June |
| 2026 | 3 April | 18 April | 11 June | 8–10 June (TBC) |
My Rule: Always on the cautious side of Umrah after Ramadan
For years, writing these articles and being on social media, people message me that they booked, and now it is closed.
They lost money, but most importantly, an emotional connection they needed. So don’t make that mistake.
Book with knowledge and on the safe side. Don’t leave it to the last minute especiall not when you have the dates.
4/5 weeks prior and 2 weeks after, as a rule of thumb for me.
Umrah After Hajj 2026 The Best Times to Go
Now, with the number of visa types and push for Vision 2030, there is really no quiet period like it used to be 5 or 6 years ago. However, these are two windows I recommend:
1. Just after Eid al-Fitr — around 19–20 March 2026
This is the post-Ramadan window before the season closes, and it is one of the most underrated times to perform Umrah.
The Ramadan crowds have thinned out for Eid, hotels drop in price compared to the last 10 nights, and the spiritual atmosphere after a full month of worship is still beautiful.
2. Right after Umrah reopens post-Hajj — from 8–11 June 2026.
The first few weeks after Hajj reopening are also less crowded and cheaper. Especially for those with tourist/waiver visas and a last-minute option.
Because historically Medinah is not closed, you can start your journey there and then take the train to Makkah for Umrah once the opening is announced.
This helps beat the crowds.
Hotels need to fill rooms again after the Hajj rush, prices are considerably lower than usual, even for hotels near the Haram, which works heavily in your favour if you’re using points, miles or my hotel booking strategy.
As someone who has performed Umrah during times when there were hardly any people, I miss it when I could pray in front of the Kabah without being pushed. This is as close as we will get to it.
Important Notes for Tourist Visa and Visa Waiver Holders
The dates above are confirmed by the Ministry for Umrah visa holders. For those on a tourist visa or UK visa waiver, here is what I know based on past patterns:
In 2025, e-visa and Electronic Waiver Visa holders were not permitted to enter or stay in Makkah from 29 April through 11 June 2025, which differed slightly from the Umrah visa cut-off.
Based on this, tourists and waiver holders in 2026 should expect a similar pattern — access to Makkah banned from around 18 April, with reopening around 8–10 June.
However, this is not yet officially confirmed for 2026. I will update this page as soon as the Ministry releases specific guidance for tourists and e-visa holders.
This is usually a week or two weeks before they actually close!
Follow my Instagram or my YouTube channel — I am usually one of the first to publish when the announcements come through.
When does Umrah Open after Hajj 2026?
Here are all the dates for Umrah after Ramadan and Hajj 2026 closures.
- Apply for Umrah visa by: 19 March 2026 (last date for issuance)
- Enter Saudi Arabia by: 3 April 2026
- Exit Saudi Arabia by: 18 April 2026
- Best post-Ramadan window: ~20 March – 2 April 2026
- Umrah reopens: ~8–11 June 2026 (depending on visa type)
- Hajj 2026: 24–29 May 2026
I do have a list with cheap hotels for Umrah as well as the best luxury hotels in Makkah. Plus tips on how to find deals.
Travel Hack your Umrah and save up to 70% on 5-star hotels in Makkah and Medinah.
The updated 2.0 version of this book can save you thousands every year on your Umrah and general travels.
Can you visit Medinah during Hajj season?
Yes, those on tourist visas don’t have restrictions to visit Medinah. This is because Medinah is less crowded, so it is easier to manage. As I mentioned above, I would recommend you go to Medinah first, a few days prior to opening, and then go to Makkah once it is open. I wouldn’t even bother booking a hotel and just go last-minute. But then this is just me 🙂
If you want more practicalities with regard to Umrah, then make sure you check out our master DIY Umrah page for more, and if you are looking to learn how to save money on your Umrah, check out our DIY Umrah Book .
DIY Umrah E-Book
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The Ultimate Guide on How to Do a DIY Umrah; (Do-It-Yourself)
Umrah The Best DIY Umrah Packages Done for You
New Saudi Transit Visa 2023 -Free Umrah & Accommodation
