Umrah from Kozhikode: a step-by-step guide for 2026–27

Performing Umrah from Kozhikode takes six arrangements: travelling within the Umrah season, getting an Umrah visa, booking your Umrah permit in the Nusuk app, taking the meningococcal ACYW vaccine at least 10 days before arrival, entering ihram at the miqat during your flight, and then performing tawaf, sa’i and shaving or trimming in Makkah.

This guide covers the travel arrangements, based on official Saudi sources (the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Ministry of Health, the Saudi Press Agency and Nusuk) and the Haj Committee of India, checked on 22 September 2026. For religious rulings, follow the guidance of your scholar.

Step 1: Travel within the Umrah season

Umrah is available most of the year, but visas stop for the Hajj period. For the 1448 AH season, Saudi Arabia announced these dates:

Ramadan is the busiest time for Umrah. If you want the last ten nights of Ramadan in Makkah, book flights and hotels several months ahead.

Step 2: Get your visa

• Umrah visa: booked through the Nusuk Umrah platform or an authorised agent. Agents must sell it together with accommodation and transport.
• Any other Saudi visa: Saudi Arabia allows Umrah on all visa types, including a tourist visa. Indians can get the Saudi tourist e-visa only in certain cases, such as holding a used US, UK or Schengen visa.
• Multiple-entry Umrah visa: introduced in 2026, valid for 365 days with up to 90 days’ total stay. Each visit needs a Nusuk package and an Umrah permit before you arrive. It cannot be used from 1 Dhul Qadah to 13 Dhul Hijjah.

Saudi sources differ on how long you have to enter after the visa is issued (news reports from late 2025 say 30 days). Plan to travel soon after your visa is issued, and we confirm the current rule with your booking.

Step 3: Book your Umrah permit in Nusuk

An Umrah permit is required and is free. You book it in the official Nusuk app, and you can hold only one active Umrah permit at a time. Praying in the Rawdah at Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah needs a separate free Nusuk permit, with at least 30 days between visits.

Step 4: Take the compulsory vaccine

• Meningococcal ACYW vaccine: compulsory for every Umrah pilgrim, taken at least 10 days before arriving in Saudi Arabia. A conjugate vaccine is valid for 5 years; a polysaccharide vaccine for 3 years.
• COVID-19 vaccination proof: required for pilgrims over 65, pregnant women and people with certain chronic diseases, under the Saudi Ministry of Health’s current rules.
• Carry your vaccination certificate with your passport.

Step 5: Enter ihram at the right place

Pilgrims must enter ihram at the miqat, or at the point in the air parallel to it. For pilgrims flying from India to Jeddah, the Haj Committee of India names Yalamlam as the miqat.

• At Calicut International Airport, change into ihram after security checks, before boarding.
• Make your intention (niyyah) and begin the talbiyah when the cabin crew announce that the aircraft is crossing the miqat.
• Do not wait until Jeddah — Jeddah is not a miqat.
• If you fly to Madinah first, you enter ihram later, at Madinah’s miqat (Dhul Hulayfah), when you travel to Makkah.

Step 6: Perform Umrah

1. Ihram: make your intention and recite the talbiyah.
2. Tawaf: seven rounds around the Kaaba, starting from the Black Stone.
3. Prayer: two rak’ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim (sunnah).
4. Sa’i: seven laps between Safa and Marwah, starting at Safa.
5. Halq or taqsir: men shave or trim their hair; women cut about 1–2 cm.

Most pilgrims from Kerala also spend several days in Madinah to pray at Masjid an-Nabawi. Our Umrah packages include both cities.

What a typical Umrah package from Kozhikode includes

• Umrah visa processing and the documents Saudi Arabia asks for
• Return flights from Calicut (CCJ) to Jeddah or Madinah
• Hotels in Makkah and Madinah
• Airport and intercity transport
• Ziyarat in Makkah and Madinah

See our Umrah packages from Kozhikode: 7, 10 and 15 days, premium, Ramadan and Umrah with Taif.

Frequently asked questions

Is the meningitis vaccine compulsory for Umrah?

Yes. The Saudi Ministry of Health requires the meningococcal ACYW vaccine for every Umrah pilgrim, taken at least 10 days before arrival.

Where do I wear ihram when flying from Calicut?

Change into ihram at Calicut airport after security, and make your intention when the crew announce the miqat (Yalamlam) during the flight. Jeddah is not a miqat, so do not wait until landing.

Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa?

Yes. Saudi Arabia allows Umrah on all visa types, including the tourist visa — if you are eligible for one. You still need an Umrah permit in the Nusuk app.

When is the last date for Umrah visas in 2027?

For the 1448 AH season, the last Umrah visa is issued on 9 March 2027, the last entry is 23 March 2027 and pilgrims must leave by 7 April 2027.

Is the Umrah permit in Nusuk free?

Yes. The Umrah permit and the Rawdah visit permit are both free in the Nusuk app.

Saudi Umrah rules are updated often. This guide reflects official sources checked on 22 September 2026. Albah Holidays confirms current rules for every booking.

Sources

• Saudi Press Agency — 1448 AH Umrah season dates (17 May 2026)
• Saudi Press Agency — Multiple-entry Umrah visa (20 Jul 2026)
• Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah permit application
• Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Rawdah visit permit
• Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah on all visa types
• Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Miqaats
• Saudi Ministry of Health — Health regulations for Umrah (1447H)
• Haj Committee of India — Haj guidelines
• Nusuk — The Umrah journey