If you’re an Afghan citizen dreaming of visiting Makkah and Madinah, you’ve probably asked yourself this question more than once. The short answer is yes, Afghans can still get an Umrah visa, but the process looks a bit different than it does for many other nationalities. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how it works, what’s changed recently, and how to avoid getting stuck halfway through your application.
The Short Answer: Yes, But It’s Not an Instant E-Visa
Here’s the main thing to understand about a Saudi visa for Afghan citizens: Afghanistan is not on Saudi Arabia’s e-visa list. Countries like the UK, the US, and most of the EU can apply online in minutes and get approved within a day or two. Afghan passport holders can’t do that, at least not yet.
That doesn’t mean the door is closed. It just means Afghan pilgrims need to go through a slightly longer, more paper-based route.
Why Afghanistan Is Treated Differently
No Direct E-Visa Access
The Saudi e-visa system covers around 60 to 66 countries. Afghanistan simply isn’t one of them right now. So instead of a same-day online form, Afghan nationals typically need to apply through an embassy or a licensed travel agent who handles the paperwork on their behalf.
The Saudi Embassy in Kabul Reopened
For a few years, this got even trickier. Saudi Arabia pulled its diplomats out of Kabul in 2021 when the political situation changed, and the embassy stayed mostly closed until late 2024. In December 2024, Saudi Arabia announced that its embassy in Kabul was resuming full operations. This matters a lot for Afghan applicants because it means visa services, appointments, and document processing are running again inside the country, rather than pilgrims having to travel to a neighboring country just to submit paperwork.
Does Afghanistan still have flights and diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia for Umrah travel?
Yes. Earlier pandemic-era flight suspensions between the two countries have long been lifted, and with the Kabul embassy back open, the practical path for Afghan pilgrims is smoother than it was a few years ago.
How Afghan Citizens Can Actually Apply for an Umrah Visa
There are three realistic paths, depending on where you live.
Option 1: Apply Through the Saudi Embassy in Kabul
If you live in Afghanistan, you can apply directly with the Saudi Embassy in Kabul. You’ll need to book an appointment (walk-ins usually aren’t accepted), bring your documents, and wait for processing, this can take several weeks, so don’t leave it until the last minute.
Option 2: Apply If You Hold a UK, US, or Schengen Visa
Here’s a useful shortcut. If you’re an Afghan national who already holds a valid UK, US, or Schengen visa, or you’re a legal resident of one of those places, you may qualify for a Saudi e-visa or visa-on-arrival instead of the slower embassy route. This is one reason so many Afghan families based in the UK are able to book Umrah trips without traveling back to Kabul first.
Option 3: Book Through a Licensed Umrah Travel Agent
This is the route most Afghan pilgrims living in the UK actually use. A licensed agent submits your Umrah visa application as part of your travel package, handles the paperwork with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and manages the back-and-forth so you’re not left guessing about your application status.
Do I need to be Muslim to apply for an Umrah visa?
Umrah visas are issued specifically for the pilgrimage, and applicants confirm their faith as part of the application. This applies to pilgrims of every nationality, not just Afghan citizens.
Documents You’ll Need
Whichever route you take, keep these ready:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel date
- A recent passport-style photo
- Proof of an Umrah package booking (flights, hotel, transport)
- Valid health insurance covering your stay in Saudi Arabia
- Proof of the required vaccinations, including the meningitis (ACWY) vaccine and, for Afghan travelers specifically, a polio vaccination certificate
A Quick Note on Vaccines
Saudi Arabia requires a polio vaccine certificate for travelers coming from countries where polio is still present, and Afghanistan is on that list. Bring proof of this along with your meningitis certificate, or your entry could be delayed at the airport.
How Long Does the Process Take?
For Afghan applicants going through the embassy, processing can take up to eight weeks, so apply early. If you qualify for the e-visa route through a UK, US, or Schengen visa, approval is often much faster, sometimes within 72 hours. Going through a licensed agent usually falls somewhere in between, since they know exactly which documents Saudi authorities expect and can flag missing paperwork before it causes a delay.
Can women travel for Umrah without a male guardian (mahram)?
Women over 45 can travel in an organized group without a mahram, a rule Saudi Arabia introduced in 2022 and has kept in place. Women under 45 generally still need to travel with a mahram or as part of a licensed group.
Why Booking Through a Trusted Agency Matters More for Afghan Pilgrims
Because Afghan citizens don’t have the simple online e-visa option, the paperwork stage carries more risk of mistakes, a missing stamp, an expired document, or a mismatched booking reference can all cause delays. This is exactly where a properly licensed agency earns its keep.
Almomin Travel is a UK-based Umrah specialist that’s ATOL protected and works only with service providers officially licensed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. That licensing matters, because it means your flights, hotel, and visa paperwork are all covered under proper consumer protection rules rather than an informal arrangement. For Afghan families based in the UK who want their Umrah visa handled correctly the first time, working with an established, ATOL-protected agency like Almomin Travel takes a lot of the guesswork out of the process.
Final Thoughts
Afghan citizens can still perform Umrah, the door hasn’t closed. The path just takes a bit more planning: no instant e-visa, a bit more paperwork, and, ideally, some help from an embassy or a licensed agent who knows the process well. With the Saudi Embassy in Kabul back open and UK-based agencies like Almomin Travel handling the visa side for Afghan families abroad, getting to Makkah and Madinah is very much within reach in 2026.
