Umrah and Hajj are spiritually meaningful and physically demanding journeys. Crowds, heat, long walks and the large number of older pilgrims make health cover more important than on an ordinary trip. This guide explains Saudi Arabia's mandatory insurance and when an additional policy is worth considering, especially if you are travelling from Türkiye.
Does the Umrah visa include mandatory insurance?
Yes. Saudi Arabia requires health insurance for pilgrims arriving from abroad, and it is included in the visa fee. According to announcements by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, this policy covers emergency medical situations, accidents, death and flight cancellations or delays, up to a set limit.
So when you get your Umrah visa, you already have basic cover. The real question is whether that cover is enough for you.
What does an additional policy change?
The insurance included in the visa is the same standard cover for everyone. An additional policy can make a difference when you want:
- Higher coverage: a long hospital stay or surgery can push past standard limits.
- A policy arranged in Türkiye: buying your policy here and paying in Turkish lira keeps things simple, especially for older pilgrims and their families.
- Baggage cover: lost or delayed baggage is not the focus of the mandatory insurance.
- Medical transport: arranging a return home after a serious health problem is what families worry about most.
Our Hajj and Umrah travel insurance is valid in Saudi Arabia for the duration of your visit and includes emergency medical care, treatment, medicines, ambulance, hospital stays and baggage cover.
Health preparation before you go
However good your insurance is, the best outcome is never needing it. Before you travel:
- If you have a chronic condition, see your doctor and take enough medication for the whole journey.
- Write down the names and doses of your medicines and keep the note with you; it helps if you need to visit a hospital.
- Check the current announcements of the relevant authorities for vaccinations and health requirements for Saudi Arabia.
- Drink plenty of water in the heat and crowds, and avoid long walks in the middle of the day where you can.
- Keep your policy number and the emergency assistance phone number both on your phone and on paper.
Applying as a group
Each pilgrim in a group gets their own policy, but you can apply for everyone at once. In our quote form you can add the ID and birth details of the other members and see the whole group in a single quote. For large groups you can also call us directly.
In short
- The Umrah visa includes mandatory health insurance, so you travel with basic cover.
- If you want higher coverage, baggage protection and a process managed from Türkiye, an additional travel health policy is worth considering.
- If you travel with a group or agency, find out what the included insurance covers before you go.
Visa and health requirements can change from season to season. Before your journey, check the latest information from Saudi Arabia's official channels and your tour organiser.