Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has updated its vaccination requirements for Umrah pilgrims. Effective from June 2025, the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is mandatory for all pilgrims — regardless of nationality, age, or travel history. Indian pilgrims must present a valid vaccination certificate when submitting their Umrah visa application.
What Changed
Previously, meningococcal vaccination was required only for pilgrims arriving from countries with high rates of meningococcal disease. The requirement has now been universalised — all Umrah visa applicants must present proof of having received the quadrivalent ACWY vaccine.
Additionally, the Saudi Ministry of Health has clarified that the older MenC (serogroup C only) vaccine is no longer accepted. Only the ACWY formulation — which covers four serogroups — is valid.
Who Is Affected
All Indian nationals applying for an Umrah visa are affected. There are no age exemptions — children, elderly pilgrims, and those with prior vaccination must confirm that their existing certificate meets the new standard (ACWY formulation, within the 3-year validity window).
If you received a meningococcal vaccine more than 3 years ago, or if your certificate does not specify the ACWY formulation, you must get re-vaccinated.
What To Do Next
- Confirm whether your existing vaccination certificate covers the ACWY serogroups and was issued within the past 3 years.
- If you need a new vaccine, book an appointment at a government hospital or certified travel clinic.
- Obtain your certificate in English or have it officially translated.
- Submit the certificate along with your visa application documents.
Which Vaccine Is Required
The vaccine you need is the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). It protects against serogroups A, C, W, and Y of Neisseria meningitidis. Vaccines accepted by Saudi authorities include:
- Menveo (GSK)
- Nimenrix (Pfizer)
- MenQuadfi (Sanofi)
All three are available in India at government hospitals and select private hospitals. Prices vary between ₹1,500 and ₹3,500 at private facilities; government hospitals provide it free or at subsidised cost for Hajj/Umrah pilgrims.
Where to Get Vaccinated in India
Government hospitals: Port health offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Delhi are authorised to administer and certify travel vaccinations. Call ahead to confirm ACWY stock.
Private travel clinics: Clinics affiliated with ISTM (International Society of Travel Medicine) members can administer and certify the vaccine. Apollo, Fortis, and Manipal hospital groups have travel medicine departments in major cities.
State Hajj Committees: Some state Hajj committees arrange group vaccination camps for registered Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. Check with your state committee for the schedule.
Certificate Requirements
Your vaccination certificate must include:
- Your full name (matching your passport exactly)
- Date of vaccination
- Vaccine name and batch number
- Name and stamp of the administering facility
- Signature of the administering physician
The certificate must be issued in English or Arabic. If your hospital issues it in any other language, you will need a certified translation.
Applying with Your Certificate
Once you have your vaccination certificate, submit a clear scan (minimum 300 dpi) along with your passport copy and photo when applying for your Umrah visa. Our team will review your documents and flag any issues before submission — apply here to get started.