By The Escape desk · Last verified 11 October 2026
Singaporeans need a visa for Saudi Arabia, and the simplest is the tourist eVisa from visa.visitsaudi.com: valid for one year, multiple entry, with stays of up to 90 days, and it permits Umrah but not Hajj. A 2026 travel guide reports the online fee at SAR 535 including mandatory medical insurance. Your passport needs at least six months’ validity from arrival. First, though, the safety picture: MFA’s advisory of 22 April 2026 tells Singaporeans to defer all travel to Saudi Arabia except to Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, where it describes the situation as stable. Pilgrims heading to the holy cities should still take precautions and eRegister.
For many Singaporean Muslims, Umrah is a journey of a lifetime, and it deserves calm preparation. Here is what to sort, in the order to sort it.
Quick facts
- Advisory: defer all travel except to Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah (MFA, 22 April 2026).
- Visa: required; apply for the eVisa in advance, as MFA recommends.
- eVisa: one year, multiple entry, up to 90 days in the country; Umrah allowed, Hajj not.
- Reported fee: SAR 535 online, including medical insurance.
- Passport: at least six months’ validity from arrival.
- Hajj: needs a separate Hajj visa and an official permit, such as through MUIS-administered quotas.
The current MFA advisory
MFA first advised Singaporeans to defer all travel to the Middle East on 1 March 2026. Its Saudi Arabia page was updated on 22 April 2026 to carve out Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, where it says the security situation remains stable. Anywhere else in the Kingdom, including Riyadh and AlUla, falls under the advice to defer. If you are planning Umrah, confirm with your airline and operator, read your insurance wording for advisory-related exclusions, and eRegister with MFA.
Which visa? Tourist eVisa, Umrah visa or Hajj visa
| Visa | What it allows | Reported cost | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist eVisa | Tourism, family visits, Umrah outside Hajj season | SAR 535 online, insurance included | One year, multiple entry, up to 90 days in the country |
| Tourist visa on arrival | As above | SAR 480 (SAR 300 visa plus SAR 180 insurance) | MFA recommends the eVisa in advance instead |
| Umrah visa | Umrah only | SAR 300 plus SAR 100 to 180 insurance | Hotel and transport booked through a Nusuk-approved provider first |
| Hajj visa | Hajj | Through official channels | Separate, non-extendable; official permit required |
Costs are as reported by a travel guide updated in September 2026; the eVisa portal shows the amount at payment. MFA notes the insurance bundled with the eVisa provides minimal cover, so a fuller travel policy is still recommended.
Doing Umrah on a tourist eVisa
- Check MFA’s Saudi page for the latest advisory.
- Apply for the tourist eVisa at visa.visitsaudi.com, with a passport valid at least six months from arrival.
- Book flights into Jeddah or Madinah, and accommodation in Makkah and Madinah.
- Once in the Kingdom, book your Umrah permit through the official Nusuk app; reported guidance says this is still required on any visa.
- Keep within the season rules: tourist eVisa holders may perform Umrah outside the Hajj period.
Seasonal dates for 1448 AH, as reported: Umrah visa issuance resumed on 31 May 2026; the last Umrah visa is due to be issued on 9 March 2027, the last entry date is 23 March 2027, and pilgrims must depart by 7 April 2027. Confirm with Nusuk or your operator, as dates are set by the Saudi authorities.
Going with an operator
MFA warns of Hajj and Umrah scams and asks travellers to choose a reputable operator. Before paying a deposit, ask what the package includes (visa, insurance, hotels, transport, permits) and get it in writing.
Rules every visitor should know
- Alcohol, pork and pork products are banned; drug offences carry severe penalties, including the death penalty for dealing or smuggling.
- Makkah and parts of Madinah are off-limits to non-Muslims.
- During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking in public between dawn and dusk are prohibited.
- The abaya is no longer mandatory for women, but modest dress is expected, and some areas expect head covering.
- Public displays of affection, demonstrations and criticism of the royal family or government can lead to prosecution.
- Overstaying carries stiff penalties; religious books need special approval to bring in.
The WahLiao Verdict
If your trip is Umrah, the path is clear: confirm the advisory still exempts Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, take the tourist eVisa for its one-year flexibility, buy proper travel insurance on top of the bundled cover, and book your permit in Nusuk once you land. For sightseeing beyond the holy cities, wait until MFA lifts the wider advisory. Unhurried planning makes for a peaceful pilgrimage.
Questions people ask
Can I perform Umrah on a tourist visa?
Yes. The official eVisa portal lists Umrah as a permitted activity, outside the Hajj period. Hajj is not allowed on it.
How long can I stay?
Up to 90 days in the country on the tourist eVisa, which is valid for one year with multiple entries.
Can I get a visa on arrival instead?
It may be granted, but MFA recommends Singaporeans apply for the eVisa in advance so there are no surprises at the airport.
How do Singaporeans go for Hajj?
Only with an official permit and a Hajj visa. MFA points to MUIS-administered Hajj quotas, and Saudi Arabia acts firmly against pilgrims without valid permits.
Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore, Saudi Arabia travel page: advisory, visa, Hajj and laws; Saudi Tourism Authority, official tourist eVisa portal; Wego, 2026 visa fees, Nusuk rule and Umrah season dates. The Escape explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Visiting the UAE: Visa-Free Entry for Singaporeans and Dubai Stopovers · Travel Insurance in Singapore: What It Covers and What It Doesn’t · Back to The Escape
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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