Vaccination compliance is non-negotiable for Umrah from India. Saudi Arabia enforces vaccination requirements strictly — a missing or non-compliant vaccination certificate will cause your visa application to be rejected, or you may be turned back at the Saudi border.
Mandatory Vaccination: Meningococcal ACWY
The Meningococcal ACWY quadrivalent vaccine is mandatory for all pilgrims from India. This vaccine protects against four strains of Neisseria meningitidis (A, C, W, and Y) — strains that have caused outbreaks in the large crowds at the Masjid al-Haram in previous years.
Key Requirements for the Certificate:
- Vaccine type: Must be quadrivalent (ACWY) — a vaccine against only MenC is not acceptable
- Validity: The certificate is valid for 3 years from the date of vaccination
- The certificate must clearly show:
- Your full name (as it appears on your passport)
- Date of vaccination
- Vaccine brand and batch number
- Name and stamp of the administering clinic or hospital
- Signature of the vaccinating healthcare provider
- The certificate must be in English or Arabic (or accompanied by a certified translation)
If your Meningococcal ACWY certificate is more than 3 years old, get a booster dose and a new certificate before applying.
Recommended Vaccinations
While not mandatory for the visa, the following vaccines are strongly recommended by the Saudi Ministry of Health and Indian medical authorities:
Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
- Highly recommended — influenza spreads rapidly in the large crowds at the Haram
- Get vaccinated within 2 weeks of travel for maximum effectiveness
- Requires annual re-vaccination as the influenza virus changes each season
Hepatitis A
- Recommended for all international travellers
- Two-dose series (second dose 6–12 months after first) gives long-term protection
Hepatitis B
- Three-dose series recommended for all adults who are not already vaccinated
- Most Indian children vaccinated after 1997 are already protected
Pneumococcal Vaccine
- Particularly important for elderly pilgrims (65+) and those with chronic respiratory or cardiac conditions
COVID-19
- Saudi Arabia's requirements have evolved significantly. Check current entry requirements before applying — these may include booster doses or proof of vaccination.
Polio Vaccination Requirements
Saudi Arabia has periodically required polio vaccination from travellers from countries where polio is endemic or where outbreaks have been reported. India was removed from the list of polio-endemic countries, but requirements can change.
Check the Saudi Ministry of Health website or contact Nusuk Umrah support for the current polio vaccination requirement at the time of your application.
Where to Get Vaccinated in India
Meningococcal ACWY vaccines are available at:
- Government-designated travel medicine clinics (in all major cities)
- Large private hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, Manipal, Aster, etc.)
- Authorised travel health centres — some clinics specialise in travel vaccinations and provide internationally recognised certificates
Cost in India: approximately ₹1,500–₹2,500 for the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine
When you get vaccinated, request a certificate specifically formatted for international travel with all required fields completed. Keep the original certificate safely — this is a document you will need for every Umrah trip.
What If Your Certificate Is Rejected?
If your vaccination certificate is rejected because it lacks required fields or uses an unrecognised format:
- You cannot proceed with the visa application until you obtain a compliant certificate
- Visit the vaccination centre that administered the vaccine and request a corrected certificate
- In some cases, a fresh vaccination may be required if the certificate cannot be corrected
Apply for your Umrah visa at nusukumrah.com/apply after ensuring your vaccination certificate meets all requirements.