Health Requirements for Umrah Travel (2025)

If you are planning to perform Umrah or visit the holy sites in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia has established a set of mandatory requirements and recommendations. Following these guidelines ensures your health and safety during this sacred journey. Mandatory Requirements 1. Meningitis: • All travelers aged 1 year and above must provide a valid vaccination certificate for: • Polysaccharide vaccine (ACYW-135) – valid for 3 years, or • Conjugated vaccine (ACYW-135) – valid for 5 years. • The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days prior to arrival in Saudi Arabia. 2. Polio: • Travelers from high-risk countries (e.g., Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen) must provide proof of vaccination with: • Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) or • Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), administered at least 4 weeks before travel. 3. Yellow Fever: • Travelers from countries at risk of yellow fever transmission must present a vaccination certificate. • The vaccine is valid for life, starting 10 days after vaccination. Recommended Vaccines Although not mandatory, the following vaccinations are strongly recommended: • COVID-19: Ensure your vaccination is up to date. • Seasonal Influenza: Protect yourself against the flu, especially during the pilgrimage season. • Other Diseases: • Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough). • Measles, mumps, rubella. • Varicella (chickenpox) and polio. Age and Health Conditions • The minimum age for travel is 1 year. • Pilgrims must not suffer from the following conditions: • Severe chronic illnesses (e.g., liver cirrhosis, heart failure, severe lung disease). • Pregnancy in the last two months or high-risk pregnancy at any stage. • Severe mental or neurological disorders that impair mobility or cognition. For Travelers from CIS Countries (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan): • These countries are not classified as high-risk for polio, yellow fever, or meningitis. • However, vaccination against meningitis is mandatory for all travelers. General Recommendations • Always carry a vaccination certificate that includes: • Vaccine name. • Date of administration. • Type of vaccine. • Practice good hygiene: • Wash your hands regularly. • Wear masks in crowded places. • Avoid direct contact with sick individuals. • Bring all necessary medications with you, as prescribed by your doctor. Source: These guidelines are provided by the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia. For more details, visit their official website: moh.gov.sa. #Umrah2025 #HealthRequirements #SaudiArabia #Pilgrimage #VaccinationRequired #TravelHealth #SafePilgrimage #HajjAndUmrah #HealthAndSafety #SaudiHealthGuidelines #SpiritualJourney #StaySafe #Vaccination #TravelPreparation Feel free to share this post to help others prepare for a safe and healthy journey!