Saudi's Free 96-Hour Stopover Visa: Doing Umrah on Your Jeddah Layover

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The first time I saw Makkah at night from a taxi window, it was because of a layover I almost wasted scrolling my phone in Jeddah airport. If you're connecting through Saudi Arabia anyway, the 96-hour stopover visa can turn those dead hours into an Umrah you'll remember far longer than the flight itself.

Here's exactly how it works, based on the current rules.

Who Qualifies and How to Apply

The visa is offered to passengers who book with Saudia or flynas — it's created automatically during the flight booking process, takes about three minutes, and arrives by email within roughly 1–3 business days. Once issued, it's valid for 90 days from the date of issue, and you can stay in the Kingdom for up to four days (96 hours).

It's called "free" because the visa itself costs nothing, but expect two small charges at booking: an application fee of around SAR 39.50 plus mandatory medical insurance, bringing the total to roughly SAR 52.50. Single entry only, and it cannot be used for Hajj or work. If you're travelling with children, under-18s are included under the main applicant rather than applying individually.

Since eligibility depends on your ticket, it's worth having someone who knows the system check your routing before you commit. That's where HTG Travels (htg.com.pk) helps — they handle flight bookings and Umrah planning, and you can WhatsApp them at +92 325 1480148 to confirm whether your itinerary qualifies.

The Umrah Permit: Don't Skip This Step

Here's the part that catches people out. Your stopover visa gets you into Saudi Arabia — but to actually enter the Haram in Makkah, you need an Umrah permit booked through Nusuk.sa, the official Ministry of Hajj and Umrah platform.

Before the permit can be issued, you need three things in place: your visa, a hotel booking, and transport. Once those exist, you book your permit slot yourself on Nusuk — slots fill up, especially around peak seasons, so do this as soon as your flights are confirmed. Religious visitors are required to schedule Umrah or Ziyarah appointments via Nusuk before visiting Makkah.

If you're planning to visit Madinah as well and want to pray in Riyad-ul-Jannah, that needs a separate time slot booked in the Nusuk app in advance.

A Realistic 96-Hour Plan from Jeddah

Let's say you land in Jeddah with the full window ahead of you. Here's how I'd shape it:

Hour 0–2: Clear immigration, store your main luggage at the airport's left-luggage counters, and change into ihram before you cross the miqat boundary heading toward Makkah.
Hour 2–6: Take the Haramain high-speed train from Jeddah airport station to Makkah — it's 78 km, takes just 34–35 minutes, runs about 15 times a day, and costs around USD 15–16. Check the timetable on sar.hhr.sa and book ahead.
Hours 6–48: Rest at your hotel, perform Umrah with your Nusuk permit when your slot arrives, and spend time in the Haram without rushing.
Hours 48–90: Optional — train to Madinah to visit the Prophet's Mosque and book your Riyad-ul-Jannah slot, then return.
Final hours: Train back to Jeddah airport, collect your luggage, check in for your onward flight.

Costs and Pitfalls to Know

What you'll spend beyond the SAR 52.50: the Haramain train fare (roughly USD 16 each way Jeddah–Makkah, around USD 30 to Madinah), a hotel night or two, and food. It's a modest amount for what you get.

Where things go wrong: travellers who book non-qualifying airlines and only discover the visa isn't available to them at check-in; people who arrive without a Nusuk permit and can't enter the Haram; and those who underestimate how long airport transfers and train scheduling take with a tight connection. Build buffer time into everything — the 96 hours pass faster than you'd think when prayer times, queues, and rest are all in the mix.

Also note the stricter 2026 enforcement: unauthorized entry without proper permits is being actively policed. Do it by the book.

A Thought Before You Travel

While we're blessed to plan journeys of faith, the people of Palestine and Sudan are living through hardship none of us would choose for anyone. I hold them in my prayers, and I'd gently ask you to carry them in your heart too — and to support humanitarian relief wherever you're able. May ease reach them soon.

The Takeaway

Book Saudia or flynas, get your 96-hour stopover visa at checkout, secure your Nusuk Umrah permit early, and use the Haramain train to move efficiently between Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah. Do those four things in order, and your layover becomes something you'll talk about for years.

If you'd rather have the whole thing handled — flights, hotels, permits, Umrah and Hajj packages, or complete travel planning — the team at HTG Travels is who I recommend. Visit htg.com.pk or message +92 325 1480148 for a quick reply.

Safe travels, and may your journey be accepted.

Written by Huzi — travel blogger at huzi.pk Until the next trip, may your layovers never be wasted. More guides are waiting on huzi.pk.

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Planning your own trip? HTG Travels answers on WhatsApp at +92 325 1480148 or online at htg.com.pk.