Umrah requires a passport, e-visa and meningococcal meningitis vaccination record. Child and female traveller requirements, steps and checklist in this article.
What documents are required for Umrah? For Turkish citizens, the basic documents are a valid passport, an e-visa and a meningococcal meningitis vaccination record for travellers aged 1 and above. It has been reported that a tourist e-visa, which covers Umrah, can be obtained; however, this information is based on an announcement dated 2023, so verify it through the official portal in 2026. Child, female traveller and package tour requirements may vary by organizer.
In short
- Basic documents: valid passport, e-visa and meningococcal meningitis vaccination record.
- It has been reported that the tourist e-visa covers Umrah; since the announcement dates from 2023, verify it through the official portal.
- The vaccine is required for everyone aged 1 and above; check the current requirement on the Ministry of Health's page.
- Rules for children and female travellers without a mahram vary by program; get written confirmation from the organizer.
The essence of the rule: three basic documents
There are three documents a Turkish citizen must prepare for Umrah: a valid passport, an e-visa and a vaccination record. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement, Turkish citizens can obtain a tourist e-visa that includes Umrah. The announcement is dated 21.10.2023, and its validity for 2026 has not been separately confirmed; therefore, verify through the official e-visa portal before applying whether an additional visa or permit is required for Umrah.
Think of the documents in three groups:
- Identity document: Passport. Holders of special-stamped and official passports can also benefit from the same e-visa. Check your airline's and the visa page's current rule regarding remaining validity period.
- Entry permit: E-visa. Print it out and also save it on your phone.
- Health document: Meningococcal meningitis vaccination record.
If you're traveling with a tour or package program, the organizer may request additional forms or photos. For up-to-date visa information, check our Saudi Arabia visa page. This article is a preparation guide, not a guarantee of application approval; the final decision belongs to the visa authority.
E-visa: duration, process and application methods
The visa status for Turkish citizens is e-visa. The permitted stay is 90 days within 1 year. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement, the visa can be single or multiple entry. The processing time is 24 hours. Still, don't leave it to the last minute: if there's an information error, you may need to reapply.
Application methods
- Online application through the official e-visa portal
- E-visa kiosks at the airport upon arrival
- Saudi Arabia's representations in Turkey
Obtaining it online before departure is a safer choice to avoid surprises at the airport. The application methods and stay conditions are based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' announcement dated 2023; their validity for 2026 has not been separately confirmed. Read the current requirements on the official portal before applying.
Points to note
The first name, surname and passport number on the application form must exactly match the passport. Even a single letter difference may cause problems during entry. The visa fee, including insurance, is shown during the application; since the amount may change, check the current figure on the portal. If you add extra trips to your Umrah program, recalculate your total stay duration from the start.
Meningococcal meningitis vaccine
The meningococcal meningitis vaccine is required for all individuals aged 1 and above traveling for Umrah. This regulation on the Ministry of Health's Travel Health page is titled "2025"; a 2026 version has not been found. A similar requirement was present in the 2024 version of the same page; so the rule is not new, but you should still check its current status.
What you should do:
- Consult your family physician or a travel health unit before departure.
- Carry your vaccination record as a document with your name matching your passport.
- Check the current information on the Travel Health page regarding how far in advance the vaccine must be administered and its validity period; this article does not provide a duration.
- If your child is aged 1 or above, prepare a vaccination document for them as well.
Don't leave the vaccine to the last week; there could be appointment or stock issues. Also verify on the same page whether there are any additional vaccine or health requirements. If traveling with a tour, the organizer will add the vaccination document to the list, but the responsibility is yours: make sure the document is complete.
Child and female traveller requirements
Rules for children and female travellers often depend on the program and the organizer. The verified example we have is the Netherlands Diyanet Foundation's 2026-2027 Umrah program; it applies only to that program, not to Turkey's Diyanet. In this program:
- Those under 18 cannot go for Umrah without their legal guardians.
- Women over 18 can travel without a mahram.
- A separate application form is required for each person.
Groups departing from Turkey may have similar or different requirements. Before registering for a tour, ask: is there an age limit, are female travellers without a mahram accepted, what permit or identity document is required for a child? Get the answer in writing.
Traveling with a child
The child must have their own passport and e-visa. Find out from your airline's current rule and the organizer whether additional documents are required when traveling with a single parent. You can check our overseas tours to compare programs. Check each traveller's documents individually; one missing item within a family can disrupt the entire group's plan.
Common mistakes
Problems in Umrah preparations usually arise not from the document itself, but from the preparation process. The most common mistakes are:
- Departing without verifying the visa requirement. The reported information that the tourist e-visa covers Umrah is based on an announcement dated 2023; read the current requirement on the official portal before applying.
- Leaving the vaccine to the last day. If you can't find an appointment, your trip is at risk.
- Writing the name differently. The name on the visa form must match the passport; otherwise, problems may arise during the flight and entry.
- Keeping documents only on your phone. The battery may die, the connection may drop. Get printed copies.
- Not asking about child and female traveller rules. The rule varies by program; get written confirmation before registering.
- Skipping online procedures. To avoid wasting time in airport queues, learn the online check-in steps in advance; remember that durations vary by airline.
Most of these mistakes can be prevented by gathering your documents at least a few days before the flight and comparing them one by one. If you notice something missing while you still have time, it's easy to fix.
Step by step: how to prepare your documents
Follow this order for your preparation:
- Check your passport. Compare the remaining validity period with your airline's and the visa page's current rule. Renew if necessary.
- Choose your tour and organizer. Ask about age, child and female traveller without mahram rules; get a written answer.
- Get a vaccination appointment. Apply to a health institution for the meningococcal meningitis vaccine and keep your document.
- Apply for the e-visa. Fill out the form on the official e-visa portal exactly matching your passport. The processing time is 24 hours; still, leave plenty of time before your flight.
- Get printouts. Keep the e-visa and vaccination document both printed and digital.
- Review the program. Confirm flight times, accommodation and transfer information with the organizer.
- Do a final check. Do you have your passport, visa, vaccination document and ticket with you?
You can also check visa information anytime on our Saudi Arabia visa page. Remember the 90-day limit within 1 year when calculating your stay duration.
Checklist before departure
Tick off this list one by one before leaving home:
- I have my passport with me and have checked its validity period.
- My e-visa is approved; I have printed and digital copies.
- The name and passport number on the visa exactly match my passport.
- My meningococcal meningitis vaccine has been administered, and I have the document with me.
- Vaccination documents are ready for children aged 1 and above as well.
- I have obtained written confirmation from the organizer about child and female traveller without mahram requirements.
- A separate application form has been filled out for each traveller if required.
- Flight, hotel and transfer information are printed in my bag.
- I have checked the airline's current baggage and document rules.
- I've set a reminder for online check-in.
This list doesn't change the rules, but it brings missing items to light. If a point is unclear, clarify it with the relevant institution or organizer before departure. Since application and stay durations may change, check official sources one last time before your flight.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate visa for Umrah?
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement, Turkish citizens can obtain a tourist e-visa that includes Umrah. The announcement is dated 2023, and its validity for 2026 has not been separately confirmed. Verify the current requirement on the official e-visa portal before applying.
How many days does it take to get an Umrah visa?
The e-visa processing time is 24 hours. Still, leave some time before your flight, because an error in the form may require reapplication.
Is vaccination mandatory for Umrah?
Yes. According to the Ministry of Health's Travel Health page, the meningococcal meningitis vaccine is required for all Umrah travellers aged 1 and above. The page is titled 2025; a 2026 version was not found, so check the current requirement again.
Where can I get the e-visa?
You can get it through the official e-visa portal, from e-visa kiosks at the airport upon arrival, or from Saudi Arabia's representations in Turkey. Obtaining it online before departure is safer.
Can women go for Umrah without a mahram?
This varies by program. In the Netherlands Diyanet Foundation's 2026-2027 program, women over 18 can travel without a mahram; this applies only to that foundation's program. Ask your organizer in Turkey in writing.
Can children go for Umrah alone?
In the Netherlands Diyanet Foundation's program, those under 18 cannot go without their legal guardians. Other organizers' requirements may differ. Find out the age limit and required permit document before registering.
Sources
- T.C. Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Turkish Embassy In Kuala Lumpur - Announcements — kualalumpur-be.mfa.gov.tr
- Health Announcement for Travellers Going to Saudi Arabia ... — seyahatsagligi.gov.tr
- Health Announcement for Travellers Going to Saudi Arabia for Umrah ... — seyahatsagligi.gov.tr
- HDV & Vakıf BV. Umrah Tours and Requirements - Netherlands Diyanet Foundation — diyanet.nl
My Travel Team
Travel Editor
The My Travel team prepares up-to-date travel, visa and tourism information and guides.
