Can Dubai Tourist Visa Holders Perform Umrah?

The UAE issues its own tourist and visit visas through the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) and the GDRFA. These visas permit entry into the seven UAE emirates and nothing else. Saudi Arabia has its own visa system, administered separately by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Directorate of Passports.

There is no arrangement between the UAE and Saudi Arabia that allows holders of a UAE tourist visa to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Even GCC residents with long-term UAE residency visas require a separate Saudi entry document for most nationality groups.

Umrah requires travel to Mecca, which is located in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia controls entry to Mecca and Medina strictly. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter these cities under any circumstances, and Muslims must have valid Saudi documentation before crossing any Saudi border point.

Option 1: Saudi Arabia e-visa

Saudi Arabia launched its e-visa programme in 2019, opening tourism to many nationalities for the first time. The Saudi Arabia e-visa allows eligible visitors to enter the Kingdom for tourism, and it can also be used for performing Umrah outside the Hajj season.

• Available to nationals of 49 eligible countries (check current eligibility for your nationality before applying)
• Valid for 1 year from the date of issue
• Allows multiple entries with each stay of up to 90 days
• Covers Umrah outside the Hajj season (Dhu al-Hijjah) for eligible nationalities
• Application is fully online: no embassy visit required for eligible nationalities

Applying for a Saudi Arabia visa?
Check eligibility and apply online for the Saudi e-visa through Arabiers. Apply for Saudi e-visa

Option 2: Umrah visa through an approved operator

For nationalities not covered by the Saudi e-visa, or for those wishing to perform Umrah during restricted seasons, an Umrah visa arranged through an approved Saudi Umrah operator is the required route. This visa is specifically for pilgrimage and is typically arranged as part of a complete Umrah package that includes accommodation and transportation to the holy sites.

• Must be arranged through a Saudi government-approved Umrah operator
• Restricted to specific entry and exit dates tied to the pilgrimage schedule
• Does not allow general tourism in Saudi Arabia beyond the pilgrimage
• Application requires proof of Muslim faith, valid passport, and documentation through the approved operator

Option 3: Saudi visit visa for UAE residents

If you hold a UAE residence visa, you may be eligible for a Saudi visit visa specifically for UAE residents. This is a separate product from the standard tourist e-visa and is available to certain nationality groups residing in the UAE. The Saudi visit visa for UAE residents can allow travel to Saudi Arabia including for Umrah, subject to the conditions of the visa.

Regardless of which Saudi visa route you take, Umrah itself has its own eligibility requirements set by the Saudi government:

1. Muslim faith: the applicant must be a practising Muslim. Umrah is not open to non-Muslims under any circumstances.
2. Valid passport: minimum 6 months remaining validity from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
3. Age: no minimum age, but those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
4. Mahram for women: women travelling for Umrah must be accompanied by a male relative (mahram): a father, brother, husband or son. This rule has been partially relaxed in recent years for organised group pilgrimages through approved operators; confirm current Saudi requirements before booking.
5. Health: pilgrims should be in adequate physical condition to perform the rituals. Severe medical conditions may affect eligibility.
6. No previous visa violations in Saudi Arabia: a history of overstaying in Saudi Arabia may affect future applications.
7. Umrah quota: Saudi Arabia limits Umrah permits, especially during peak seasons. Apply early.

Yes, and many travellers do exactly this. A typical itinerary works as follows:

1. Apply for a UAE tourist visit visa for your Dubai stay (if your nationality requires one)
2. Apply separately for a Saudi Arabia visa: either the Saudi e-visa or an Umrah operator visa
3. Fly into Dubai, complete your visit, then travel overland or by air to Saudi Arabia
4. Perform Umrah in Mecca and visit Medina
5. Return to Dubai if needed before your onward flight home

Both visas must be applied for and approved before departure. Do not travel to the UAE assuming you can cross into Saudi Arabia without a separate Saudi visa. The Saudi border: whether at King Fahd Causeway from Bahrain, or at air and sea entry points: requires a valid Saudi visa for non-exempt nationalities.

Important: The UAE and Saudi Arabia are working towards deeper GCC integration, including a proposed unified GCC tourist visa (the GCC Grand Tourist Visa). As of September 2026, this visa has not yet launched. Until it does, each country continues to require its own entry documentation. Check for updates on the GCC unified visa before booking travel.

Both are Islamic pilgrimages to Mecca, but they differ in obligation, timing and complexity:

• Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is obligatory for Muslims who are physically and financially able. It takes place once a year during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Entry to Saudi Arabia for Hajj requires a specific Hajj visa, which is separate from both the tourist e-visa and the Umrah visa.
• Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of year (except during the Hajj days). It involves a shorter set of rituals: circumambulating the Kaaba seven times (tawaf), walking between Safa and Marwah seven times (sa'i), and cutting or shaving the hair. Umrah does not fulfil the obligation of Hajj.

Neither Hajj nor Umrah can be performed on a UAE tourist visa. Both require valid Saudi entry documentation.

• A Dubai tourist visa gives you the right to enter the UAE only: it does not cover Saudi Arabia
• Umrah requires travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for which you need a separate Saudi visa
• The Saudi e-visa is available to eligible nationalities and can cover Umrah outside the Hajj season
• UAE residents of eligible nationalities can apply for the Saudi visit visa for UAE-based travellers
• GCC residents of other states can explore the Saudi visa for GCC residents
• Dubai and Umrah can be combined in one trip, provided both visas are secured before departure