How to Plan Umrah from the USA: A Step-by-Step Guide
Last updated: 25 September 2026. Travel and visa rules change; check the official sources linked at the end before you pay for travel.
Planning Umrah from the United States comes down to a handful of decisions made in the right order: passport, dates, visa, permits, vaccinations, flights and hotels. This guide walks through each one, with the checks US travelers most often miss.
Your Umrah planning checklist
| Step | What to do | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Passport | Check it is valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date and has two blank pages. | Before anything else |
| 2. Travel advisory | Read the US State Department advisory for Saudi Arabia and enroll in STEP. | Before booking |
| 3. Dates | Pick dates outside the Hajj period and decide how many nights in Makkah and Madinah. | 3 to 6 months ahead (more for peak dates) |
| 4. Package or self-planned | Decide whether to book a package or arrange each part yourself. | With your dates |
| 5. Visa | Apply for the Saudi tourist eVisa (or another visa that allows Umrah). | After flights and hotels are chosen |
| 6. Nusuk | Register on the Nusuk app and book your Umrah permit and Rawdah visit. | Once you have a visa |
| 7. Vaccination | Get the quadrivalent (ACYW) meningococcal vaccine. | At least 10 days before arrival |
| 8. Prepare | Learn the Umrah rituals, pack Ihram clothing and plan where you will enter Ihram. | Final weeks |
1. Check your passport
The State Department says US passports must be valid for six months beyond your arrival date and have two blank pages for entry. If your passport expires within the next year, renew it before you apply for a visa, because the visa is linked to your passport number.
2. Read the travel advisory
At the time of writing (September 2026), the State Department’s advisory for Saudi Arabia is Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Read the current advisory before you book, make sure your travel insurance covers your trip, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so the embassy can reach you.
3. Choose your dates
Umrah can be performed for most of the year, but not during the Hajj season: the US Embassy in Riyadh notes that Umrah on a tourist, Umrah or transit visa is not possible then. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah publishes each season’s last entry and exit dates.
For US families, the busiest times are:
- Thanksgiving week (Thanksgiving is Thursday 26 November 2026), a short holiday that fills quickly.
- Winter break in late December and early January, with milder weather in Makkah and Madinah.
- Ramadan, expected to begin around 8 February 2027, subject to the sighting of the moon. It is the most sought-after and most expensive time for Umrah.
Summer is quieter but very hot: the CDC notes that summer temperatures can exceed 43°C (110°F). If you are travelling with elderly parents, cooler months are usually easier.
Most US pilgrims spend 7 to 14 nights, often slightly more in Makkah than in Madinah.
4. Package or plan it yourself?
| Umrah package | Planning it yourself | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | First-time pilgrims, families, elderly travelers, groups | Experienced travelers comfortable with online bookings |
| Hotels and transport | Arranged together, with transfers between cities | Booked separately; you manage each connection |
| Visa and Nusuk | Guidance included | You apply and book permits yourself |
| Flexibility | Set hotels and dates, though many can be adjusted | Full control over every choice |
| Support | Someone to call if a plan changes | You solve problems on the ground |
If you choose a package, check the hotel names, the nights in each city, room sharing, whether flights are included and what taxes are extra. Our Umrah packages from the USA page explains the options we offer.
5. Get your visa
US citizens are eligible for Saudi Arabia’s tourist eVisa. The official site describes it as a one-year, multiple-entry visa that allows stays of up to 90 days and covers Umrah, but not Hajj. According to the US Embassy, US citizens can also perform Umrah on an Umrah visa or a transit visa.
Green card holders travelling on another country’s passport: in July 2023 Saudi Arabia extended eVisa eligibility to permanent residents of the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union (Fragomen summary). Check the current conditions for your passport on the official eVisa site before you apply.
For a full comparison of visa types, read our Umrah visa and Nusuk guide.
6. Register on Nusuk and book your permits
A visa lets you enter Saudi Arabia, but you also need an Umrah permit, booked through Nusuk, the official platform of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The same app is used to book a visit to the Rawdah in Masjid an-Nabawi. Book your Umrah permit for a time slot that fits your arrival in Makkah, and check the Rawdah slots as soon as your Madinah dates are fixed, because they can be limited at busy times.
7. Vaccinations and health
Saudi Arabia requires Umrah pilgrims to have the quadrivalent (ACYW) meningococcal vaccine. The CDC Yellow Book says it must be given at least 10 days before arrival and is valid for five years (conjugate vaccine) or three years (polysaccharide vaccine). The CDC page also lists other requirements that may apply to you, so review it with your doctor. Bring any prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
8. Book flights
Umrah trips usually fly into Jeddah (JED) or Madinah (MED). Depending on your home airport, you may find a nonstop option or connect through a hub in the Gulf, Türkiye or Europe. Two things to decide early:
- Makkah first or Madinah first. Flying into Jeddah usually means going straight to Makkah, so you must be in Ihram on the plane. Flying into Madinah first lets you visit Madinah, then enter Ihram at the Miqat of Dhul Hulayfah on the road to Makkah.
- Connection times. Allow enough time at your layover to change into Ihram if you plan to do so there.
9. Choose hotels
For most pilgrims the hotel’s walking distance to the Haram matters more than its star rating, especially for older family members who will walk to every prayer. When comparing hotels, ask for the walking time to the nearest gate, whether there is a shuttle, and whether breakfast is included. Prices are usually per person and depend on room sharing (quad, triple or double). If you want a Kaaba-view or Haram-view room, see our luxury Umrah packages.
10. Getting between cities
The Haramain High Speed Railway links Jeddah (including King Abdulaziz International Airport), Makkah and Madinah. Private cars and coaches are the alternative and are often included in packages. Book the train in advance at busy times.
11. Ihram and the Miqat on the flight
Pilgrims heading to Makkah must enter Ihram before crossing the Miqat, the boundary where Ihram begins. On flights to Jeddah this happens in the air, and many airlines announce it. Common practice is to:
- Shower and put on Ihram clothing at home, at the airport or during your layover.
- Make the intention and begin the Talbiyah before the aircraft crosses the Miqat.
- Avoid perfumed products once you are in Ihram.
Scholars differ on some details, such as whether Jeddah itself can serve as a Miqat for those arriving by air. Follow the guidance of a scholar you trust.
12. What to pack
- Ihram clothing (two white, unstitched sheets for men) plus a spare set.
- Comfortable sandals that leave the top of the foot uncovered, and comfortable walking shoes.
- Unscented soap, shampoo and deodorant for use in Ihram.
For the full list, use our printable Umrah packing checklist.
- A small bag for your shoes and belongings inside the mosque.
- Modest, loose clothing; women typically wear an abaya and headscarf.
- Prescription medicines, a refillable water bottle and sun protection.
- A plug adapter: Saudi Arabia uses 230-volt power, so check that your chargers support it.
13. Money and phones
The currency is the Saudi riyal (SAR). Cards are widely accepted in hotels and larger shops, but carry some cash for small purchases. For data, an international plan, an eSIM or a local SIM card all work; you will need your passport to buy a local SIM.
14. Budgeting
The total cost depends on:
- Flights, which vary most by season and departure city.
- Hotel category and distance from the Haram.
- Room sharing: quad is cheapest per person, double is the most expensive.
- Number of nights in each city.
- Visa fee, transport, Ziyarat and meals.
- Season: Ramadan and school holidays cost the most.
Ask for a written quote that lists all of these, including taxes, so you can compare packages fairly.
How we can help
Superior Hajj & Umrah helps pilgrims across the United States plan Umrah, from hotels and visa assistance to transfers and, on some packages, flights. Compare our Umrah packages, see what we offer US travelers, or add a stopover in Dubai, Istanbul, Cairo or Casablanca. Call +1 972 968 7722, WhatsApp +1 945 335 4921 or send an enquiry.
Related guides
- How to choose Makkah and Madinah hotels
- December and winter break Umrah guide
- Umrah with an Istanbul stopover
- Umrah packing checklist (printable)
- Umrah with elderly parents
- Ramadan Umrah 2027 guide
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I plan Umrah from the USA?
Three to six months is comfortable for most dates. For Thanksgiving, winter break or Ramadan, start earlier, as hotels close to the Haram and flights fill first.
Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa?
Yes. The tourist eVisa covers Umrah but not Hajj. You still need an Umrah permit from the Nusuk app.
Do I need to put on Ihram before I fly?
You must be in Ihram before crossing the Miqat. If you fly straight to Jeddah, that happens during the flight, so many people change before boarding or at their layover. If you go to Madinah first, you enter Ihram later, on the way to Makkah.
How many days do I need?
The Umrah rituals themselves take a few hours. Most US travelers spend 7 to 14 nights in total so they can pray in both Haramain and visit Madinah.
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