The Core Document List
Every Umrah visa application from India — whether submitted through the Nusuk platform or a licensed agent — requires the following documents:
- Valid Indian passport (bio data page)
- Passport photograph (white background, 35×45 mm)
- Confirmed return airline tickets
- Hotel booking confirmation
- Meningococcal meningitis (ACWY) vaccination certificate
Additional documents are required depending on your personal situation — see the sections below for specifics. Missing even one document can delay or reject your application.
Passport — Exact Requirements
Your passport must meet all of these conditions:
- Validity: Minimum 6 months remaining from your intended travel date to Saudi Arabia
- Blank pages: At least 2 consecutively blank pages for immigration stamps
- Condition: No torn pages, water damage, or illegible text — damaged passports are rejected at immigration
- Type: Indian machine-readable passport (current green booklet format)
- Name consistency: Your name on the passport must exactly match the name on your airline ticket and hotel booking
Scan the bio data page (the page with your photo and personal details). The scan must show all four corners of the page, all text must be legible, and there should be no reflections or shadows across the text.
Passport Photograph — Exact Specifications
Saudi visa photograph requirements are stricter than most other countries. Your photo must be:
- Size: 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall
- Background: Plain white only — cream, light grey, or off-white backgrounds are rejected
- Face coverage: Face must occupy 70–80% of the frame — no excessive headroom
- Expression: Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking directly at camera
- Glasses: Not permitted (even prescription glasses must be removed)
- Headwear: Not permitted except for religious head coverings (hijab for women)
- Recency: Taken within the last 6 months
- Format: Colour photograph — black and white is not accepted
Digital uploads are accepted in JPG or PNG format; file size should be under 2 MB.
Airline Ticket — What Is Accepted
The airline ticket requirement serves to confirm you have a planned departure from Saudi Arabia. Required characteristics:
- Confirmed booking: Must show a confirmed booking reference, not just a price inquiry
- Return journey: Must show both outbound (India to Saudi Arabia) and return (Saudi Arabia to India) flights
- Name match: Passenger name must be identical to your passport name
- Dates: Travel dates must align with the visa validity period you are requesting
- Format: Print or digital booking confirmation from the airline or a recognised booking platform
Low-cost carrier bookings from platforms like MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, or IndiGo are accepted provided they show a confirmed booking reference.
Note: Some pilgrims book refundable tickets before the visa is issued, then modify dates if needed once the visa is confirmed. This is a common and accepted practice.
Hotel Booking — What Is Required
You must provide hotel bookings for your entire stay in Saudi Arabia. Requirements:
- Confirmed booking: Not a "pending" or "on request" booking — must be confirmed by the hotel
- Coverage: Must cover all nights from arrival to departure
- Location: Hotels must be in Makkah and/or Madinah
- Name match: Booking must be in the applicant's name as it appears in the passport
- Details visible: Hotel name, address, check-in and check-out dates, booking reference number
Bookings made through established platforms (Booking.com, Makki Hotels, Agoda, direct hotel websites) are accepted. Chain hotel bookings such as Hilton, Marriott, or Movenpick near Masjid Al-Haram are commonly used.
Tip: Book hotels with free cancellation until your visa is approved. Do not pay non-refundable rates before you have the visa in hand.
Vaccination Certificate — Current Requirements
The only mandatory vaccination for Umrah from India is the Meningococcal Meningitis (ACWY) vaccine.
Your vaccination certificate must show:
- Applicant's full name (matching passport)
- Date of vaccination
- Vaccine brand and batch number (where available)
- Name and stamp of the issuing medical authority
- Must be in English or Arabic
Where to get vaccinated in India: government hospitals, major private hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, Manipal), and travel medicine clinics.
The Saudi Ministry of Health periodically updates vaccination requirements. COVID-19 vaccination was mandatory until 2023; as of mid-2025 it is no longer required, though this can change. Always verify current requirements before applying.
Additional Documents for Women
Women under 45 travelling to perform Umrah must additionally provide:
If travelling with a mahram (male guardian):
- Mahram's passport copy (bio data page)
- Proof of relationship: marriage certificate (for husband), birth certificate (for father or son), family register (for brothers)
If travelling without a mahram (women over 45 in an organised group):
- Proof of group registration with a licensed Umrah operator
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from a male family member
- The NOC must be notarised if required by your agent
See our women's Umrah visa guide for detailed rules on mahram requirements.
Additional Documents for Children
Children require the same core documents (passport, photo, vaccination certificate if age-appropriate) plus:
- Birth certificate: Required to prove the child's identity and relationship to the accompanying adult
- Parent/guardian's passport copy: Required to confirm relationship
- Consent letter: If the child is travelling with only one parent, a notarised consent letter from the absent parent is recommended
Infants do not require their own airline seat but do need a passport and documentation.
Additional Documents for Groups
Groups of 10 or more pilgrims applying together typically provide:
- Group application form: Submitted by the licensed tour operator
- List of group members: Names, passport numbers, and dates of birth for all members
- Authorisation letter: From the tour operator confirming they are submitting on behalf of the group
- Individual documents: Each member still needs their own passport, photo, vaccination certificate, and (where applicable) relationship documents
Group applications can be processed more efficiently but the documentation burden is shared between members and the organiser.
How to Prepare Your Documents for Upload
Follow these steps to prepare clean, rejection-free scans:
- Use a flatbed scanner at 300 DPI or higher — do not photograph documents with a phone unless you use a document scanning app (CamScanner, Adobe Scan)
- Place documents flat on the scanner — curved edges or crumpled documents create shadows
- Ensure all four corners of each document are visible in the scan
- Save as PDF for multi-page documents, JPG for photographs
- Name your files clearly before upload:
passport-frontpage.pdf,photo.jpg,vaccination-cert.pdf - Check each file on your phone or computer before uploading — if you cannot read the text, the reviewer cannot either
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit photocopies of documents? No. Scanned copies of originals are required. Photocopies of photocopies are not accepted. You will present your original passport at the airport.
Do I need to get documents notarised? Only the NOC letter for women over 45 travelling without a mahram typically needs notarisation. Standard documents (passport scans, vaccination certificates) do not.
My hotel booking is in my travel agent's name. Is that acceptable? No. The hotel booking must be in your name as it appears in your passport. If your agent has booked on your behalf, ask them to provide a confirmation letter showing your name.
My meningitis vaccination was given 4 years ago. Is it still valid? Saudi requirements typically specify the certificate must be issued within the last 3–5 years. Check current Saudi Ministry of Health guidelines before travelling, as this is updated periodically.
I don't have a return ticket yet. Can I still apply? No. A confirmed return ticket is a required document. Purchase a refundable return ticket first, then apply for the visa.
Can my child use my passport photo if I need to upload one for them? No. Each applicant — including children — needs their own photograph meeting the specifications above.