Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has updated its mahram policy for women performing Umrah. Under the updated rule, women aged 45 years and above can now travel for Umrah without a mahram, provided they travel as part of an organised group through a licensed Umrah operator and submit a no-objection letter from their mahram. This change brings significant relief for many Indian women who have been unable to perform Umrah due to the unavailability of a male relative.
What Changed
Previously, all women under 45 were required to travel with a mahram (a male relative who is unmarriageable to them, such as a husband, father, brother, or son). The rule for women 45 and above has been progressively relaxed over the past several years. The April 2025 update formalises and clarifies the requirement: women 45+ can travel without a mahram as long as they are part of a licensed Umrah group and carry a notarised no-objection letter from a mahram.
The key change from the previous version of this rule is that the no-objection letter is now clearly defined — it must be notarised, must name the specific trip (dates and operator), and must be submitted as part of the visa application rather than at the port of entry.
Who Is Affected
This update directly benefits Indian Muslim women aged 45 and above who wish to perform Umrah but do not have a mahram available to travel with them. It also clarifies responsibilities for licensed Umrah operators, who must now maintain group registers and submit them to the Ministry as part of their licence conditions.
Women under 45 are still required to travel with a mahram. There is no age-based exemption for women under 45 at this time.
What To Do Next
If you are a woman aged 45 or above and wish to travel without a mahram:
- Book your Umrah package with a licensed Umrah operator who offers organised group travel.
- Obtain a notarised no-objection letter from your mahram (husband, father, son, or brother).
- Submit the no-objection letter, your age proof (passport), and your group booking confirmation with your visa application.
- Confirm with your operator that they have registered the group with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Current Mahram Rule — Summary
| Age Group | Mahram Required? | Condition | |---|---|---| | Under 45 | Yes | Must travel with mahram | | 45 and above | No | Must travel in licensed organised group + notarised NOC from mahram |
Documents Required for Women Travelling Without a Mahram
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond return date)
- Umrah visa application form
- Meningococcal ACWY vaccination certificate
- Passport-compliant photograph (updated 2025 spec)
- Notarised no-objection letter from mahram (must include: pilgrim's name, mahram's name and relationship, travel dates, operator name)
- Proof of age (passport date of birth is sufficient)
- Proof of group booking from licensed Umrah operator
The no-objection letter must be notarised by a notary public or attested by a government authority. Self-written, unwitnessed letters are not accepted.
What Is an Organised Group?
An organised group, for the purposes of this rule, is a tour group arranged and registered by a licensed Umrah operator. The operator must be:
- Licensed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia
- Registered with an Indian Tour Operators Association or equivalent body
- Able to provide a group manifest submitted to the Saudi embassy
Your travel agent should be able to confirm their licensing status. If in doubt, ask them to share their Saudi Ministry of Hajj operator licence number.
Applying for Your Visa
If you are ready to apply, our team handles the complete application process for women travelling under the no-objection route — including reviewing your NOC letter for compliance before submission. Apply for your Umrah visa here or contact us on WhatsApp to speak with a specialist.