How Overseas Pakistanis in the UK & USA Can Perform Umrah — Visa, Flights & Packages

My cousin in Chicago put off Umrah for nearly a decade, convinced the paperwork was impossible. Last winter, he stood in front of the Kaaba with his wife — visa sorted in days. If you're an overseas Pakistani wondering how to perform Umrah from the UK or USA, this guide is for you.

The Umrah Visa: Which Route Applies to You?

First, a quick note for anyone new to this: Umrah is the "lesser pilgrimage" to Makkah, and unlike Hajj, you can perform it at almost any time of year. That flexibility is your friend.

Your visa route depends on your passport:

• UK, US, or most European passport holders: Apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa online. It's valid for a full year with multiple entries and allows Umrah outside the Hajj season. This is the easiest route, hands down. UK passport holders, note the 2026 change: since 1 July 2026 the old Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) has been replaced by the Saudi Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) — apply on ksavisa.sa for roughly £20, with approvals often instant (allow up to three working days). It gives multiple entries over two years, up to 180 days per year, and covers Umrah outside Hajj season, tourism, and family visits — every traveller needs their own, children included.
• Pakistani passport holders living abroad: You'll apply for a dedicated Umrah visa — but note the 2026 change: Pakistani citizens can no longer apply directly through the consumer Nusuk platform. The visa is now processed through a licensed Pakistani operator via the Nusuk Masar system, with a strict "No Booking, No Visa" rule: your application must be linked to a confirmed hotel and transport booking verified in Nusuk. Keep your passport valid for at least six months, your UK/US residence proof handy, and get your meningitis (ACYW135) vaccination certificate sorted early.

Good news for sisters: Saudi Arabia no longer requires women to travel with a mahram, so travelling with family or in a group of friends is completely fine.

If documents and forms make your head spin, HTG Travels (htg.com.pk) handles visa assistance end to end — WhatsApp them at +92 317 5054959 and they'll tell you within minutes which route fits your situation.

Flights: Fly Into Medina, Fly Home From Jeddah

Here's a routing trick most first-timers miss. Land in Medina, spend a few peaceful days visiting the Prophet's Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi), then take the Haramain high-speed train to Makkah — it takes just over two hours. Fly home from Jeddah. You avoid backtracking and start your journey in calm surroundings.

On direct options:

• From the UK: Saudia flies Heathrow and Manchester to Jeddah and Medina; British Airways covers Heathrow–Jeddah, and Wizz Air UK adds budget-fare nonstops from London. Birmingham has no direct flights right now — connect through Doha or Dubai. For the full picture, see Umrah from the UK: Direct Flights, the New ETA & a 7-Day Itinerary.
• From the USA: Saudia has nonstops from New York (JFK) and Washington Dulles to Jeddah. One-stops via Istanbul, Doha, or Cairo are often noticeably cheaper. For the full airline-by-airline breakdown, see Best Airlines & Routes for Umrah from the USA.

One more routing tip: if you land in Jeddah rather than Medina, the Haramain high-speed train runs straight from Jeddah Airport to Makkah in about 48 minutes — often faster and cleaner than arranging road transport, and from about SAR 46.

Timing matters enormously. Ramadan is the most beautiful and the most expensive month — book two to three months ahead or pay double. Travelling in Shawwal (right after Eid) or mid-winter gives you gentler crowds and gentler prices.

This is exactly the kind of routing a good desk prices for you in minutes — the team at HTG Travels books UK and US–Saudi air tickets daily, and they'll compare direct and one-stop options on your real dates instead of guessing. One WhatsApp to +92 317 5054959 gets you live fares.

Umrah Packages or DIY? My Honest Answer

If you hold an eligible passport, going solo is genuinely doable. Apps like Nusuk handle permits, Uber and Careem work everywhere in Saudi Arabia, and the train system is modern and easy.

But packages earn their money in three situations: it's your first Umrah, you're travelling with elderly parents or young kids, or you're on a Pakistani passport and want someone else handling the visa. A good package bundles the visa, flights, a hotel within walking distance of the Haram, and ground transport — so your energy goes into worship, not logistics.

When I took my parents for their first Umrah, I went with HTG Travels (htg.com.pk) and they arranged everything, including a hotel five minutes from the Haram. Watching my dad walk to Fajr without a single transport worry? Worth every rupee. For a quote, +92 317 5054959 on WhatsApp is the fastest way to reach them.

Small Things That Make a Big Difference

• Download the Nusuk app before you fly. You'll need it for Umrah and Rawdah visit permits — the Rawdah is the blessed area in the Prophet's Mosque, and slots go quickly.
• Pack your ihram in hand luggage. The simple white garments worn in a state of purity. Cabin crew announce when you cross the miqat (the boundary where ihram becomes required), so you can change onboard.
• Carry some Saudi Riyals in cash for taxis and zamzam water, even though cards are widely accepted.
• Mind the heat. Saudi summers push past 45°C; November to February is genuinely pleasant.
• Get a Saudi eSIM at the airport — cheap, instant, and you'll use it constantly.

Your Quick Takeaway

Check your passport route, book flights two to three months out, land in Medina, and decide honestly whether DIY or a package suits your family. Do those four things and the rest falls into place.

Before you go, one thing close to my heart: as we plan these blessed journeys, spare a prayer for the people of Palestine and Sudan, many of whom dream of standing exactly where we'll stand. Keep them in your hearts, and support trusted humanitarian relief where you can. May their hardship ease, and may we never take our blessings for granted.

Ready to plan your Umrah? Visit htg.com.pk or message +92 317 5054959 on WhatsApp — whether you need a full package, flights, or just visa guidance, they'll get you sorted quickly. May your Umrah be accepted.

Written by Huzi — travel blogger at huzi.pk

I've been blessed to make this journey more than once, and it never feels ordinary. If this guide helped, you'll find plenty more — packing lists, Medina tips, Hajj planning — waiting for you on huzi.pk.

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Related Guides on Huzi

• Umrah Visa from Pakistan: Requirements and Process
• Umrah from the UK: Direct Flights, the New ETA & a 7-Day Itinerary
• Umrah + Pakistan Family Visit in One Trip (2026)
• Umrah Cost from Pakistan: What Drives the Price
• Ziyarat in Makkah & Madinah: The Complete Guide

Planning Umrah from the UK or USA? HTG Travels answers on WhatsApp at +92 317 5054959 or online at htg.com.pk — visa guidance, flights, and Haram-side hotels in one conversation.