Women & Umrah

Women over the age of 45 can perform Umrah without a mahram if they travel as part of a licensed, organised Umrah group and carry a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their mahram. Women under 45 must travel with a mahram (husband, father, son, or other permitted male relative).

A mahram is a male relative whom a woman cannot marry under Islamic law. For Umrah purposes, accepted mahrams include: husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, grandson, father-in-law, son-in-law, maternal uncle, or paternal uncle. Each relationship requires specific proof documents.

Husband: marriage certificate. Father: daughter's birth certificate. Son: mother's birth certificate or passport showing relationship. Brother: birth certificates showing the same parents. Other relationships may require multiple documents. Our team will advise on the exact documents needed for your specific situation.

A No Objection Certificate (NOC) is a letter from the woman's mahram giving permission for her to travel for Umrah without him. It is required for women over 45 travelling without a mahram. The letter must include the mahram's name, relationship to the applicant, passport number, and a clear statement of permission. It should be signed and ideally notarised.

Women over 45 can travel in a licensed women's group. Women under 45 must each have their own mahram present. A single mahram cannot serve as guardian for multiple unrelated women.

Women must wear modest, loose-fitting clothing that covers the entire body except the face and hands. The abaya (full-length robe) is standard and widely available in Makkah and Madinah. Face coverings are not required during Umrah. Women should ensure comfortable footwear for the Tawaf and Sa'i.

A woman in her menstrual cycle cannot enter Masjid al-Haram or perform Tawaf. She can wait until her cycle ends and then complete Umrah. Plan your trip with some buffer days for this possibility. This is a well-established Islamic ruling and is not a barrier to performing Umrah — it simply requires timing flexibility.

There is no religious prohibition on pregnant women performing Umrah. However, it is recommended to consult your doctor before travelling, especially during the first trimester and late pregnancy. The physical demands of Tawaf and Sa'i, combined with the heat and crowds, require careful health consideration. Saudi authorities may request medical clearance.

A mahram must be an adult male (post-puberty). A minor son cannot serve as a mahram. If a woman's husband or adult son is not available, other adult male relatives — father, brother, uncle — who meet the mahram criteria can accompany her.

No. A brother-in-law (husband's brother) is not a mahram under Islamic law because there is no prohibition on marriage to a brother-in-law after divorce or widowhood. Only those male relatives who are permanently forbidden in marriage qualify as mahram. Saudi authorities check mahram relationships during visa processing and at immigration.