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Everything pilgrims ask us most often — visas, costs, timing, health requirements and what happens once you book.
The accordion above covers the questions we are asked most often, but a number of pilgrims want a slightly deeper explanation of how the process actually works in practice. The sections below expand on visa processing, costs, timing, health requirements and what happens once you have paid your deposit, written specifically for pilgrims travelling from the UK.
Once you provide your passport scan, photograph and vaccination certificate, we submit your application through the Nusuk platform, which handles both the visa and, where relevant, your Rawdah and site-visit permits in one system.
Processing typically takes between three and seven working days outside of peak season, though we build in extra time around Ramadan and school holidays when volumes surge and approvals can slow down.
The headline price of a package covers visa, flights, hotels, transfers and Ziyarat, but pilgrims should also budget for spending money in Saudi Arabia, gifts, and any optional excursions such as Taif or Badr that are not included as standard in every category.
A realistic total budget for a 10-night economy trip including spending money is typically £1,100 to £1,300 per person, rising to £2,500 or more for premium and luxury Haram-view packages during peak season.
There is no single correct time to perform Umrah, but the choice affects both comfort and price significantly. Winter months bring cooler temperatures and are popular with families, spring and autumn sit in the middle on both price and crowd levels, and Ramadan carries exceptional spiritual reward but also the highest prices and the busiest Haram of the year.
We recommend booking Ramadan Umrah at least four to six months in advance, since hotel rooms near the Haram sell out extremely quickly for the Last Ten Nights.
The meningitis ACWY vaccination is a mandatory entry requirement for all pilgrims aged one year and above, and it must be administered no less than ten days before arrival for immunity to be effective. We ask pilgrims to send a copy of their certificate as part of the booking process.
Seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended, particularly for older pilgrims or those with underlying health conditions, and pilgrims with existing prescriptions should carry a doctor's letter alongside their medication.
Once your deposit is received, you are sent your ATOL certificate, a full itinerary, and a document checklist for the visa application. Around eight weeks before departure, we send a detailed pre-travel pack covering packing, ihram guidance, currency, and what to expect at Jeddah or Madinah airport on arrival.
Your balance is due 45 days before departure, and from that point our coordinators are in contact to confirm airport pickup times, room configurations and any special requirements such as wheelchair assistance.
Access to the Rawdah in Madinah, one of the most sought-after areas of the Prophet's Mosque, is now managed through timed permits released roughly ten days in advance through the Nusuk app. Our in-country coordinator helps every pilgrim register for a slot as soon as the booking window opens for their stay.
Similar permit systems occasionally apply to other high-demand areas during Ramadan, and we monitor these changes closely so our guidance stays current rather than relying on outdated information.
Life circumstances change, and our cancellation terms are designed to be as fair as reasonably possible within airline and hotel contract limits. Cancelling more than 60 days before departure typically means losing only your deposit, while later cancellations follow a sliding scale tied to airline and hotel penalty terms, which we set out clearly in writing at the time of booking.
Name changes and date amendments are often possible for a smaller administrative fee, and we always try amendment options before treating a change as a full cancellation.
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