The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has officially ordered that all international Umrah pilgrims leave the country by April 18, 2026 (equivalent to 1 Dhul Qada 1447 AH), in a major step to expedite preparations for the next 2026 Hajj season.
The current Umrah season officially ends with this instruction, which was issued on Monday, March 23, 2026, as Saudi authorities turn their attention to accommodating millions of Hajj pilgrims.
The ministry warned that failing to comply could result in legal penalties or deportation, emphasizing that this deadline is rigorous and non-negotiable. The early departure is logistically necessary to enable the deep cleaning of hotels, infrastructure enhancements, and “crowd management” procedures necessary for the high-capacity Hajj rites slated to start in mid-May, according to official sources.
A number of crucial deadlines for those who are still organizing their spiritual travels were also specified in the statement. March 20, 2026 (1 Shawwal), which falls on Eid al-Fitr, was designated as the deadline for the issuing of Umrah visas. Additionally, April 3, 2026 (15 Shawwal) is the last day for any foreign pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia with an Umrah visa.
Entry points will be closely watched after these dates, and airlines have been told to enforce these rules. During a virtual meeting with service providers, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reaffirmed that “Hajj pilgrimage must be performed with a valid Hajj visa and cannot be undertaken using an Umrah visa,” a move intended to stop the presence of undocumented pilgrims during the busiest time of year.
In order to reallocate housing and transportation resources from the short-stay Umrah model to the “longer-term” Hajj stays, the Ministry has called for immediate coordination with travel agencies for the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims currently in Makkah and Madinah in order to “confirm approved departure schedules.”
The Saudi government insists that these actions are part of “Vision 2030” to create a safer and more “orderly” environment for all guests of Allah, even though the shutdown of Umrah may have an impact on people looking for a spiritual retreat after Ramadan. After the Hajj ceremonies are finished and the foreign visitors have left, Umrah services are anticipated to resume on June 11, 2026.
