Saudi Arabia has shortened the duration of the Umrah visa from three months to one month. The new one-month period will be counted from the date the visa is issued.

However, according to Al Arabiya citing sources from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia will still be allowed to stay for up to three months after entry — that rule remains unchanged.

Since the start of the new Umrah season in early June, more than four million Umrah visas have been issued to foreign pilgrims. Compared to recent years, the number of visitors has increased significantly, setting a new record within just five months of this year’s Umrah season.

According to a report by the Saudi Gazette, the ministry has adjusted some visa-related regulations in response to the growing number of pilgrims. Under the revised rules, if a visa holder does not register or enter the Kingdom within 30 days of issuance, the Umrah visa will automatically be canceled.

Sources from the ministry confirmed that these new regulations will come into effect next week.

Ahmed Bajayfar, advisor to the National Committee for Umrah and Visit, said the decision is part of the ministry’s preparations to manage the expected surge of pilgrims — especially as temperatures in Makkah and Madinah begin to cool after the summer months.

He added that the main goal of the new measure is to prevent overcrowding in the two holy cities.

Earlier, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had announced that any Muslim residing in Saudi Arabia with a valid visa — including personal, family, e-tourist, transit, labor, and other types — would be permitted to perform Umrah. However, it remains unclear whether that policy will continue under the new visa regulations.