How to perform Umrah without a travel agent: A step-by-step guide for 2026

Many Pakistani Muslims believe they must hire a travel agent to perform Umrah. This is no longer true. Since 2021, the Saudi government has let people use the Nusuk website to plan their own trips. Now, you can apply for your visa, book your hotel, and manage everything yourself. This saves you money and lets you choose your own dates.

This guide explains how to do this in easy steps. Whether it is your first trip or you are helping a family member, we cover everything. You will learn how to sign up on Nusuk and how to perform your rituals at the Grand Mosque.

Can you perform Umrah without a travel agent?

Yes, it is 100% legal. The Saudi government created the Nusuk website to help pilgrims travel on their own. You can use this website to sign up, pay fees, book a hotel, and get your visa without paying an agent.

Before, Saudi rules forced everyone to use a travel agency. Now, they have removed this rule. If you are a Pakistani citizen with a valid passport, a booked hotel, and a return flight ticket, you can apply online. Your visa can be approved in just a few days.

What you need before you start

Get these things ready before you open the Nusuk website. Having your documents prepared beforehand will save you time.

• A Pakistani passport that is valid for at least six months from your travel date.
• A return flight ticket. You must enter your flight details during the application.
• A hotel booking in Makkah. You need this before you can get your visa.
• A meningitis vaccine certificate (ACWY). You can get this from government hospitals in Pakistan.
• A recent passport photo with a white background.
• For women under 45: proof of your relationship to your mahram (like a marriage certificate or NADRA certificate), plus their passport copy and CNIC.
• Basic travel insurance that covers medical needs in Saudi Arabia.
• An active email address and phone number to make your Nusuk account.

Step 1: Register on the Nusuk portal

Go to the official website at nusuk.sa or download the Nusuk app on your phone. Creating an account is free. Here is how to do it:

Step 2: Apply for your visa online

After you set up your profile and book your hotel on Nusuk, you can apply for your visa. The entire process is online. You do not need to visit the Saudi embassy or any visa office in Pakistan.

1. Upload your scans Upload clear photos of your passport, vaccine slip, passport photo, and relationship certificates. Make sure the text is easy to read so your visa is not delayed.
2. Pay the fee online You can pay the visa fee with a credit or debit card. The fee is about 300 Saudi Riyals (around 22,000 to 25,000 Pakistani Rupees). Make sure your Pakistani bank card is active for international online payments.
3. Get your visa Most visas are approved in 1 to 3 days. Once approved, you will get your electronic visa by email. Print a copy to keep with your passport, and save a PDF on your phone.
4. Double-check your information Check your printed visa closely. Make sure your name, passport number, and travel dates are correct. If you see a mistake, contact Nusuk support to fix it before you go to the airport.

Step 3: Book your flights

You can fly from Pakistan to Jeddah or Madinah. Airlines like Saudia, PIA, Air Arabia, and Flynas have frequent flights. Flying to Jeddah is the fastest way to reach Makkah because Jeddah is only 90 kilometers away. You can take a taxi, train, or SAPTCO bus from Jeddah airport to Makkah.

Compare prices on booking sites and airline websites to find deals. Remember to book a return ticket. Saudi officers will ask to see your return ticket at the airport.

Step 4: Find and book your hotel in Makkah

You must have a hotel booked to get your Umrah visa. Booking on the Nusuk website is the safest choice because all hotels there are approved by the Saudi government. Think about these things when booking:

• Check the distance to Masjid al-Haram. If you stay within 500 meters, you can easily walk to the mosque for every prayer.
• Think about your budget. Three-star hotels are clean and close to the Haram, but they cost much less than five-star luxury hotels.
• Think about health and age. Older family members or young kids will find the trip easier if the hotel is near the mosque gates.
• Look at food options. Some hotels include breakfast, which saves you time during busy prayer hours.
• Read reviews from other Pakistani travelers. They often share helpful tips about Urdu-speaking staff, food, and mosque gates.

Step 5: Understand your Miqat boundary

The Miqat is the boundary line where you must enter the state of Ihram before going into Makkah. If you fly straight from Pakistan to Jeddah, your Miqat is a point called Qarn al-Manazil. You will cross this boundary while you are in the air.

Most pilots will make an announcement 30 to 40 minutes before the plane reaches the Miqat. You should put on your Ihram sheets before this announcement. Airplane bathrooms are very small and get crowded, so change at your airport in Pakistan or early in the flight. If you go to Madinah first, you do not need to change on the plane. You will put on your Ihram at Masjid Dhul Hulayfah in Madinah before traveling to Makkah.

Step 6: Put on your Ihram and make your intention

Ihram is both the simple clothes you wear and the spiritual rules you must follow. You need both to perform a valid Umrah.

Before entering Ihram, take a bath (Ghusl) and pray two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer if possible. Then, make your formal intention for Umrah. You can say: "Labbayk Allahumma Umratan" (O Allah, here I am for Umrah). After this, start reciting the Talbiyah prayer out loud (for men) or quietly (for women). Keep repeating it as you travel, and stop when you see the Kaaba.

Step 7: Perform Tawaf around the Kaaba

Tawaf means walking around the Kaaba exactly seven times in a counter-clockwise direction. You must perform Wudu (ablution) before you start. Go to the ground floor or upper floors of Masjid al-Haram. Find the corner where the Black Stone is located. A green light on the wall shows the starting line.

• Face the Black Stone, raise your right hand toward it, and say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar" to start your first round. Since crowds are very large, do not try to touch or kiss it. Just point at it from a distance.
• Walk around the Kaaba with your left shoulder facing the Kaaba at all times.
• For the first three rounds, men should walk with a fast, brisk pace (Raml) if there is space. Walk the remaining four rounds at your normal speed.
• You can make your own personal prayers, read Quran, or say simple words like Subhanallah and Alhamdulillah. There is no special prayer you must say, so speak from your heart.
• Keep track of your rounds. It is easy to forget your count, so using a small plastic tally counter on your finger is very helpful.
• Try to finish all seven rounds without stopping, unless a congregational prayer starts or you lose your Wudu.

Step 8: Pray two rak'ahs at Maqam Ibrahim

When you finish the seventh round, walk toward the glass enclosure of Maqam Ibrahim. Pray two short rak'ahs behind it. If it is too crowded, do not force your way in. You can pray these two rak'ahs anywhere inside the Grand Mosque. Recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second, then make your dua.

Step 9: Drink Zamzam water

Next, go to any Zamzam water cooler or fountain inside the mosque. Stand up, face the Kaaba, and drink. You can make a prayer for your health or family while drinking. You can also fill a small bottle to take back to your hotel.

Step 10: Walk between Safa and Marwa (Sa'i)

Sa'i is the walk that remembers Hajar's search for water for her baby Ismail. This ritual is done inside a long, air-conditioned hallway in the mosque. You will walk back and forth between two small hills named Safa and Marwa. The total walk is seven laps.

Step 11: Shave or cut your hair

The last step to complete your Umrah is cutting your hair. This frees you from the rules of Ihram. Men can either shave their head completely (Halq) or cut their hair short all around (Taqsir). Shaving is highly recommended, but cutting it by at least an inch is also fine. Women only need to cut a small amount (about the length of a fingertip) from the ends of their hair. Women are not allowed to shave their heads.

Cost comparison: DIY Umrah vs travel agent

Many people choose to book their own Umrah to save money. Here is a realistic estimate of the costs per person for a 10 to 14-day trip from Pakistan. It compares doing it yourself (DIY) with hiring an agency.

Planning the trip yourself can save you 30,000 to 90,000 Rupees per person. It takes some time to research and book flights and hotels. However, the money saved and the freedom to choose your own schedule make it worth it for many families.

What to pack for your trip

We recommend packing light because you will do a lot of walking. Keep your bags small so you can move easily. Here are the main things to bring from Pakistan:

• Two sets of Ihram sheets. It is smart to have a spare set in case one gets dirty.
• A secure belt or clip to keep your lower Ihram sheet in place while walking.
• Comfortable, worn-in sandals or slippers. Do not buy brand-new shoes right before your trip, as they can cause painful blisters.
• Unscented toiletries. You must use fragrance-free soap, shampoo, and vaseline while in the state of Ihram.
• A small, light backpack or bag to hold your shoes when you enter the Grand Mosque.
• Printed copies of your electronic visa, hotel bookings, and return tickets. Saudi airport staff often ask to see physical papers.
• A small bottle of hand sanitizer and face masks for crowded areas.
• A small prayer book in Urdu or English, or prayers saved on your phone.
• Your daily medicines, along with a doctor's note.
• A small amount of Saudi Riyals for your first day, plus your Pakistani bank card (be sure to activate international use before leaving).
• An empty plastic bottle to bring Zamzam water back to your hotel.
• Modest, lightweight clothes for when you are not in Ihram.

Common mistakes to avoid

These are the most common mistakes made by first-time independent pilgrims. Knowing them in advance will save you a lot of stress.

• Crossing the Miqat without being in Ihram. You must be dressed and ready before the plane flies over the line. If you miss it, you must travel back to the Miqat to start over, or pay a penalty (Dam) by sacrificing a sheep in Makkah.
• Applying for your visa before booking a hotel. The Nusuk website will not approve your visa without a confirmed place to stay. Book your hotel first.
• Using scented products while in Ihram. This includes perfumed soaps, shampoos, or body lotions. Use only unscented toiletries.
• Losing track of your Tawaf rounds. It is easy to forget your count in crowds. We suggest using a small plastic tally counter or a phone app. If you forget, assume the lower number and do an extra round to be safe.
• Leaving physical documents at the hotel. While photos on your phone are helpful, Saudi officers and hotels often ask for printed papers. Keep your printed documents in a safe folder.
• Trying to do too much on the first day. The heat and crowds can tire you out quickly. Rest at your hotel for a few hours after landing, drink plenty of Zamzam water, and start your Tawaf when you feel fresh.
• Booking a hotel that is too far away. A 25-minute walk under the hot sun is very tiring when you do it five times a day. If your budget allows, find a hotel within a 10-minute walk of the mosque.

Frequently asked questions