Umrah E-Visa for Turkey Citizens: The Spiritual Journey Guide 2026
✧
For the faithful citizens of Türkiye—connecting the minarets of Istanbul and the plains of Anatolia to the sacred lands of the Hejaz—the pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah is a journey of deep historical and spiritual bonds. Transitioning from the legacy of the Ottomans to the eternal sanctuary of the Kaaba represents a shift from historical stewardship to personal submission (Ibadah). The Umrah E-Visa for Turkey citizens has revolutionized this journey, enabling the rise of "Münferit" (Individual) Umrah. In 2026, the Kingdom has fully integrated this process with the Nusuk platform, allowing Turkish pilgrims to bypass traditional tour packages and organize their journey with flexibility and autonomy.
This guide specifically addresses the logistical needs of Turkish Ordinary (Bordo) Passport holders—covering flights from IST vs. SAW, managing Lira (TRY) costs, and utilizing the Nusuk app for a self-guided pilgrimage.
✧
Umrah Visa Conditions for Turkish Citizens
Visa Type: Saudi Arabia Umrah E-Visa (Multiple Entry)
Validity Period: 1 Year from the date of issuance
Maximum Stay: 90 Days for each visit
Primary Platform: Nusuk App integration required for Holy Sites
Mahram Requirement: Not Required (Women can travel alone)
Insurance: Comprehensive medical insurance coverage included
Important Passport Note: This guide is primarily for holders of the Ordinary (Maroon/Bordo) Passport. Holders of Special (Green) and Diplomatic (Black) passports typically enjoy visa waivers or visa-on-arrival privileges.
At eviSAudi, we respect the sanctity of your journey. You can start your Saudi Arabia Umrah E-Visa application online, and we will handle the bureaucratic details while you focus on your Niyyah (Intention).
✧
Spiritual Purpose vs. Leisure Travel
Although the digital document is technically a "Visit Visa," applying with Umrah intent fundamentally changes your preparation checklist.
For Worship: The Umrah workflow prioritizes the Nusuk ecosystem. If you are accustomed to Diyanet guides managing your schedule, remember that with an E-Visa, you control your appointments for the Rawdah and Tawaf.
For Leisure: If your plan is strictly to explore the Red Sea coast or the heritage sites of AlUla without immediate religious rituals, you may want to review the Saudi Arabia E-Tourist Visa for Turkey Citizens.
⚠️ Important Limitation: Not Valid for Hajj (Kura System) It is crucial to understand that this E-Visa is valid for Umrah rituals only. It cannot be used for the Hajj pilgrimage. During the sacred season of Dhul-Hijjah, this visa type is suspended. Turkish citizens wishing to perform Hajj must strictly follow the Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs) lottery (Kura) and quota system.
✧
Best Time to Perform Umrah for Turks
Turkish pilgrims often align their pilgrimage with school breaks and weather conditions.
Sömestr (Semester Break): The late January/early February school break is the peak season for Turkish families. Escaping the cold Anatolian winter for the mild 25°C weather of Makkah is ideal.
Spring (April-May): The months following Ramadan often offer lower flight prices and comfortable weather before the scorching summer heat.
Ramadan: While spiritually rewarding, flight prices from Istanbul skyrocket during Ramadan. Early booking is essential.
✧
From Istanbul to the Holy City: Logistics
Turkey is a major aviation hub, offering distinct options for different budgets.
The Full-Service Option (IST): Turkish Airlines (THY) and Saudia fly from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Jeddah and Medina multiple times daily. This offers maximum comfort and generous baggage allowance (crucial for bringing back dates and Zamzam).
The Budget Option (SAW): Pegasus Airlines and AJet fly from Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). This is often significantly cheaper and is the preferred choice for budget-conscious "DIY Umrah" pilgrims.
Regional Flights: Direct flights are increasingly available from Ankara (ESB), Antalya (AYT), Trabzon (TZX), and Gaziantep (GZT) during peak seasons, or with a short connection through Istanbul.
Ihram Strategy: Since flights from Turkey are direct to the Holy Land, you must be in Ihram before boarding or change on the plane. Most Turkish pilgrims put on their Ihram at the airport in Istanbul.
✧
Digital Planning: The Nusuk Ecosystem
With an E-Visa, you are your own guide.
Rawdah Al Sharifah: To pray in the Rawdah (the green carpet area in Al-Masjid an-Nabawi), a digital permit is mandatory. These slots are extremely limited. Once we issue your visa, you must download Nusuk immediately to book your slot.
Umrah Slot: You can also use the app to monitor crowd density in the Mataf.
✧
Traveling with Family ("Ailece Umre")
Turkish culture places immense value on family worship. The E-Visa system supports this by allowing for group applications, where you can process visas for the entire family in one session. Makkah is highly accessible; electric scooters are available at the Grand Mosque, and the Haramain High-Speed Train provides wheelchair-accessible transport between Makkah and Madinah, ensuring comfort for elders (Dedeler ve Nineler).
✧
Umrah E-Visa Service Fees for Turkey Citizens
For applicants applying from Turkey, Umrah E-Visa fees are processed in USD. While we list estimates in TRY below, please be aware of daily exchange rate fluctuations.
Standard Umrah Processing: Approx. 6,400 ₺ – 6,800 ₺ (Base: $185 USD). This covers the Government fee and processing with a standard turnaround (2-5 business days).
Priority Umrah Processing: Approx. 8,600 ₺ – 9,100 ₺ (Base: $250 USD). Designed for urgent spiritual intentions or last-minute travel (12-24 hour turnaround).
All payments are processed securely. The final amount in Lira (TRY) is determined by your bank’s daily exchange rate. For a full breakdown, visit our Visa Types and Prices page.
✧
Pilgrimage Application Steps for Turks
The process is designed to be efficient.
Intention & Details: Complete the secure online form. You can apply for your entire family group in one session.
Photo: Upload a clear, recent photo. For Muslim women: Photos with a Hijab (Başörtüsü) are perfectly acceptable; the face must be visible from hairline to chin.
Digital Issuance: Once approved, we email the PDF visa directly to you. Please print multiple copies—one for your wallet and one for your hand luggage.
✧
Financial Logistics: TRY Volatility & Banking
Currency Advice: The Turkish Lira (TRY) is highly volatile and has a wide buy/sell spread in Saudi Arabia. Do not bring Lira cash.
Best Strategy: Convert your spending money to USD or Euros in Turkey before you travel. Exchange these for Riyals (SAR) in Jeddah or Makkah.
Banking: Your Turkish bank cards (Ziraat, Garanti, İş Bankası, Kuveyt Türk) work internationally.
Troy Card Warning: If you use a card with the domestic TROY payment scheme, it may have limited acceptance abroad compared to Visa/Mastercard. Ensure you have a Visa or Mastercard backup.
Installments (Taksit): Please note that international spending usually cannot be split into installments (taksit) unless your bank offers a specific "travel campaign."
✧
FAQ: Umrah E-Visa for Turkey Citizens
Below are the most common questions Turkish citizens ask before applying for an Umrah E-Visa.
✧
Do I need to register with Diyanet for this visa?
No. The Umrah E-Visa allows for "Münferit" (Individual) travel. You do not need to register with Diyanet or a travel agency. However, this means you are responsible for your own flight, hotel, and transfer bookings.
Can Turkish women perform Umrah without a Mahram?
Yes. The Kingdom has officially removed the Mahram (male guardian) requirement. Turkish women of any age can apply for an Umrah E-Visa and travel alone or in female groups.
Is the Meningitis vaccine required?
Saudi health regulations strongly recommend the Meningococcal meningitis vaccine (ACWY) for all pilgrims. While you might not be asked to upload the certificate online, carrying the vaccination card (often obtained from İl Sağlık Müdürlüğü) is highly advisable.
Can I track my visa status?
Yes. We understand the anticipation of a spiritual journey. You can check the progress of your application at any time on our Track Visa Status page.