Umrah guide for travellers from Bangladesh

Passport validity

Your passport should normally be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Saudi Arabia, with blank pages for the visa and stamps. Renew early if it is close to expiry — passport renewal in Bangladesh can take several weeks.

• Use a machine-readable or e-passport; the name must match your NID and tickets exactly.
• Children need their own passports.
• Keep photocopies and a phone photo of your passport separately from the original.

Visa eligibility

Bangladeshi pilgrims usually travel on an Umrah visa arranged through Saudi-licensed Umrah service providers and their authorised agents. Some travellers who hold certain other visas or residencies may be eligible for different visa types. Eligibility, fees, validity and the dates when Umrah visas are issued are set by the Saudi authorities and can change at short notice.

• Umrah visas are generally not issued around the Hajj season — plan your dates with this in mind.
• Performing Umrah and visiting the Rawdah in Madinah require permits booked through the official Nusuk app, separate from your visa.
• Rules for women, minors and family groups (for example guardian or relationship documents) can differ — we check the current rules for each traveller.

Flight arrangements

Pilgrims usually fly into Jeddah (JED) or Madinah (MED). Starting in Madinah lets you visit Masjid an-Nabawi first and travel to Makkah afterwards; arriving in Jeddah takes you closer to Makkah. We compare direct and connecting options from Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet.

• Book a return ticket that matches your visa validity.
• Check baggage allowances, including any Zamzam water allowance, with your airline.
• If you will wear ihram on the plane, know where the Miqat falls on your route — the crew usually announces it.
• Request wheelchair or special assistance at booking, not at the airport.

Accommodation

Hotels in Makkah and Madinah vary widely in distance from the Haram, walking route, lifts and meals. For elderly travellers, distance and accessibility matter more than star rating.

• Ask for the hotel name, location and room type in writing before paying.
• Confirm check-in and check-out dates match your flights and transfers.
• Hotels, transport and ziyarah are provided by third-party providers; your quotation will say who provides each service.

Required documents

Exact requirements depend on your visa route and your situation. Most Bangladeshi pilgrims start with:

• Passport (valid as above) and a copy of the data page
• Recent passport-size photographs with a white background
• National ID (NID) or birth registration for children
• Meningitis vaccination certificate (see Health requirements)
• Relationship documents for family members travelling together, where required (e.g. marriage certificate)
• Confirmed return ticket and hotel booking

This is a general starting list, not an official requirement list. We give you a personal checklist after your inquiry.

Health requirements

The Saudi health authorities publish requirements for each Umrah season. According to the 1447H (2026) health requirements:

• Meningitis (ACYW) vaccination is required for all Umrah pilgrims. A conjugate vaccine must be given within the last 5 years and at least 10 days before arrival (a polysaccharide vaccine within the last 3 years). Carry the vaccination certificate.
• COVID-19: pilgrims aged over 65, pregnant women and people with certain chronic conditions must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or immunity as set out in the requirements.
• Additional vaccines (such as polio or yellow fever) apply only to travellers from listed countries — check the latest list before you travel.
• See your doctor before travelling, especially for elderly pilgrims and anyone with diabetes, heart or breathing conditions. Carry medicines in original packaging with prescriptions.

Health requirements are reviewed each season. This summary is not medical advice — always check the current official document and consult a doctor.

Payment

You will always receive a written quotation in Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) before paying anything. It lists what is included, who provides each service, the payment schedule and the terms that apply.

• Airline fares are not fixed until tickets are issued, so we re-confirm the price before you pay.
• Government and visa fees are shown separately from our service charge.
• Always ask for a receipt for every payment, and pay only through the methods stated in your quotation.

Cancellation & changes

Cancellation and change terms depend on each provider's rules and are stated in your quotation before you confirm.

• Flights: changes and refunds follow the fare rules of your ticket; some fares only refund taxes.
• Visa: visa and government fees are normally non-refundable once the application has been processed.
• Hotels and transport: cancellation deadlines and charges vary by provider and season.
• If your visa is refused or your plans change, contact us as early as possible so we can limit charges where the rules allow.

Pre-departure preparation

In the last two weeks before you fly:

• Check that your visa, tickets, hotel vouchers and vaccination certificate show the same name as your passport.
• Install the official Nusuk app and book your Umrah and Rawdah permits.
• Pack ihram clothing (men), comfortable walking shoes, an unscented toiletry kit, a small bag for shoes, and a refillable water bottle.
• Carry some Saudi riyals and a bank card that works abroad; tell your bank before you travel.
• Save emergency contacts: your group leader, hotel, airline and the Embassy of Bangladesh in Riyadh / Consulate in Jeddah.
• Check what health insurance comes with your visa and consider extra travel cover.
• Keep digital and paper copies of all documents in separate bags.