Saudi Arabia’s Free Stopover Visa for Umrah: How to Book, Costs, and Layover Activities
Dreaming of a spiritual journey to Makkah or Madinah but worried about visas and costs? Good news! Saudi Arabia just made it super easy for travelers—especially those with long layovers—to perform Umrah without needing a separate visa. If you’re flying with Saudia or Flynas, you’re in luck. Here’s everything you need to know, explained in plain language.
About the Stopover Visa
The Saudi stopover visa allows transit passengers to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours (4 days) to perform Umrah and explore the country. This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to promote tourism.
Important: The visa is completely free of charge and can be obtained through Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) when booking your flight.
Key Features
Free Visa
No application fees for the 96-hour stopover period
Luggage Handling
Through checked baggage to your final destination
Hotel Discounts
Special rates at select hotels through Saudia
How to Book
Flight Booking
Book your international flight with Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) that has a layover in Jeddah or Riyadh.
Visa Application
During booking, select the option for a stopover visa. You’ll need to provide passport details and a photo.
Approval
Receive your visa approval via email within 24-48 hours (sometimes instantly).
Travel Preparation
Print your visa and ensure you meet all requirements before travel.
Visa Document
[Sample visa will appear here]
Requirements
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Confirmed onward ticket within 96 hours
- Accommodation details (can be arranged later)
- Vaccination certificate (if required)
What Is the Saudi Stopover Visa?
The Saudi stopover visa lets you stay in the country for up to 96 hours—that’s four days—when you have a layover on your way to somewhere else. You can use this time to perform Umrah, visit holy sites, or just explore. The best part? The visa itself is free, but there are small fees for processing and insurance.
How does it work?
You book a flight with Saudia or Flynas that includes a stopover in Saudi Arabia. During the booking, you can add the stopover visa option. The airline does most of the work, and you get your visa details by email.
Who Can Get the Stopover Visa?
The stopover visa is open to all nationalities, as long as you’re flying with Saudia or Flynas and have a confirmed onward ticket. That means you don’t need to be from a specific country or have a special passport.
Pakistani travelers:
If you’re from Pakistan, you’re in a great position. Saudi Arabia has recently made it easier for Pakistanis to get visas, and the stopover visa is included. You just need a passport valid for at least six months and a confirmed onward flight.
How to Apply for the Stopover Visa
Applying is simple. Here’s how it works:
Tip:
Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your travel date. And double-check your onward flight details before you book.
What Can You Do During Your Stopover?
With the stopover visa, you can:
- Perform Umrah: Visit Makkah and Madinah for Umrah or Ziyarah.
- Explore Saudi Arabia: See tourist attractions, historic sites, and modern cities like Riyadh and Jeddah.
- Enjoy free hotel stays: Some airlines and packages offer a free night in a hotel.
Saudi Stopover Visa Fee and Costs
Here’s a quick breakdown of the costs:
| Item | Cost (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | Free | No charge for the visa itself |
| Processing fee | SAR 39.50 | About $10.50 or AED 38.68 |
| Medical insurance | From SAR 13 | About $3.45 or AED 12.73 |
Total cost:
You’ll pay around SAR 52.50 (about $14) for processing and insurance. The visa itself is free.
Saudi Airlines Layover Policy
Both Saudia and Flynas allow you to add a stopover in Saudi Arabia when you book your flight. The layover can be between 12 and 96 hours. If your layover is less than 12 hours, you don’t need a transit visa. For longer stops, the stopover visa is perfect.
If you want to perform Umrah, make sure your layover is at least 3 hours. This gives you enough time to get to Makkah or Madinah.
Saudi Transit Visa vs. Stopover Visa
You might hear about “transit visas” and “stopover visas.” Here’s the difference:
Saudi Arabia Transit Visa on Arrival
If you’re not flying Saudia or Flynas, or if you have a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa, you might be able to get a visa on arrival. But for most travelers, the stopover visa is the way to go.
Saudi Transit Visa for Pakistani
Pakistani travelers can get the stopover visa just like anyone else. You just need to book your flight with Saudia or Flynas and follow the steps above. No extra paperwork is needed.
If you’re from Pakistan, check out the Tasheer visa centers in major cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. They can help with other types of Saudi visas too.
Saudi Transit Visa Online
You can apply for the stopover visa online when you book your flight. The process is quick, and you get your visa by email. No need to visit an embassy or visa center.
Do I Need a Transit Visa for Saudi Arabia?
If your layover is less than 12 hours, you don’t need a visa. For layovers between 12 and 96 hours, you do need a visa—either a transit visa or the stopover visa if you’re flying Saudia or Flynas.
Enjaz Transit Visa
Enjaz is the official Saudi visa platform. For the stopover visa, you don’t need to use Enjaz directly—the airline handles everything. But for other types of visas, you might use Enjaz.
Flynas Stopover Visa
Flynas offers the same stopover visa as Saudia. You can book your flight and add the stopover visa option online. The process is simple, and you get your visa by email.
Flyna’s Umrah
Flynas is a popular choice for Umrah travelers. You can book your flight and stopover visa together, making it easy to perform Umrah during your layover.
Umrah and New Work Visa Holders
If you’re traveling for Umrah or have a new work visa, make sure your flight has a stopover of at least 3 hours. This gives you enough time to perform Umrah during your layover.
Saudi Airlines with Umrah Visa
Saudia and Flynas both offer the stopover visa for Umrah. You don’t need a separate Umrah visa—just book your flight and add the stopover visa option.
Umrah Visa 90 Days
The stopover visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, but you can only stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours (4 days) at a time.
Umrah Visa Online
You can apply for the stopover visa online when you book your flight with Saudia or Flynas. No need to visit an embassy or visa center.
Nusuk Transit Visa
Nusuk is the official platform for booking Umrah appointments. Once you have your stopover visa, you need to register and book your Umrah slot on Nusuk.sa before you travel.
Free Umrah Visa
The stopover visa is free, but you’ll pay a small processing fee and for medical insurance. The visa itself doesn’t cost anything.
Tips for a Smooth Stopover
- Check your passport: Make sure it’s valid for at least six months.
- Book your flight early: Choose a flight with a layover of at least 3 hours if you want to perform Umrah.
- Register on Nusuk: Book your Umrah slot before you travel.
- Pack light: You’ll be on the move, so keep your luggage simple.
- Stay connected: Get a local SIM card or use airport Wi-Fi to stay in touch.
Last time I traveled, I forgot to book my Umrah slot on Nusuk. Don’t make the same mistake—it’s easy to do online!
FAQs
Can I apply again if my UAE visa is rejected?
Yes, but fix the mistakes first. Applying again with the same errors won’t help.
How can I check the reason for my UAE visa rejection?
Sometimes, the rejection letter tells you. If not, contact the embassy or your visa agent.
Does having a criminal record mean I can’t get a UAE visa?
A criminal record makes it much harder, but not always impossible.
Why are young, solo male travelers from Pakistan more likely to be rejected?
The UAE is extra careful with this group because of past issues with overstaying and illegal work.
What documents do I need for a UAE visa from Pakistan?
You need a valid passport, photos, hotel booking, return ticket, and bank statement.
Is the Pakistani government doing anything to help?
Yes, the government is talking to UAE officials and working to improve the passport’s reputation.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia’s free stopover visa is a game-changer for travelers. It’s easy to get, affordable, and lets you perform Umrah or explore the country during your layover. Whether you’re from Pakistan or anywhere else, this is a great opportunity to make your journey more meaningful.
