Skip to main content
BD Market Insights Logo
Operational Guide • Business • Beginner Level

Umrah Visa from Bangladesh: Nusuk App, DIY Booking & Costs

Complete guide to performing Umrah from Bangladesh. Compare DIY booking via Nusuk vs travel agencies, visa types, Haramain train, and cost breakdowns in BDT.

BD Market Insights Editorial Team
Published: • 7 min read
Link Copied!

The Digital Transformation of Umrah for Bangladeshi Pilgrims

Under the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, performing Umrah has transitioned from an opaque, agency-dominated process into a transparent, digital-first experience accessible directly to pilgrims. The introduction of the unified Nusuk platform (nusuk.sa) by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah allows Bangladeshi travelers to manage visas, permit reservations, transportation, and hotel accommodations directly.

Bangladeshi pilgrims now have two distinct paths:

  1. The Traditional Agency Package: All-inclusive group travel arranged by licensed Dhaka or Chittagong travel agencies.
  2. The Independent (DIY) Route: Direct booking of flights, hotels, and high-speed rail via Nusuk and digital portals, saving 25% to 40% in overall costs.

Available Visa Pathways for Umrah from Bangladesh

Depending on your travel history and passport credentials, multiple visa routes exist:

1. The Standard 90-Day Electronic Umrah Visa

  • Validity: Valid for 90 days from the date of issue, permitting free movement across all Saudi cities (Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Riyadh, Taif).
  • Processing: Handled digitally through authorized Bangladeshi travel agencies or Saudi visa centers (Tasheer).
  • Average Cost: Approximately ৳15,000 to ৳18,000 BDT (including mandatory Saudi medical insurance).

2. Instant Tourist Visa on Arrival / eVisa (For US/UK/Schengen Visa Holders)

  • Eligibility: Bangladeshi citizens holding an active, valid business or tourist visa from the United States, United Kingdom, or Schengen area that has been stamped and used at least once.
  • Mechanism: Instant eVisa issued online via Nusuk/MOFA or directly upon landing at King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) or Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED).
  • Cost: Approximately 440 SAR (~৳14,500 BDT).

3. The 96-Hour Stopover / Transit Visa

  • Eligibility: Available to travelers booking international flights on Saudia or Flynas with a layover in Jeddah or Riyadh.
  • Cost: Free visa fee (plus nominal administrative and insurance fee of approx. ৳4,000 BDT).
  • Benefit: Allows up to 4 days (96 hours) inside Saudi Arabia, enabling a quick, focused Umrah journey without a standard visa fee.

Using the Nusuk App for Rawdah & Umrah Permits

The official Nusuk app (available on iOS and Android) is mandatory for every pilgrim entering the holy sites.

  1. Umrah Slot Booking: Select the designated day and hour for entering the Mataf area of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
  2. Noble Rawdah Permit (Riaz-ul-Jannah): Entering the sacred Rawdah inside the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah requires a confirmed Nusuk permit.
    • Slots open weekly and fill rapidly.
    • Separate time slots are enforced for male and female pilgrims.
    • Only one visit to the Rawdah is permitted per individual every 365 days.

Transportation: The Haramain High Speed Railway (HHR)

The traditional 6-hour bus ride between Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah has been replaced by the electric Haramain High Speed Railway:

  • Jeddah Airport (JED) to Makkah: 54 minutes (Ticket: ~60 to 85 SAR / ৳2,000 to ৳2,800 BDT).
  • Makkah to Madinah: 2 hours and 15 minutes traveling at 300 km/h (Ticket: ~170 to 300 SAR / ৳5,500 to ৳9,800 BDT).
  • Booking: Tickets can be purchased online via sar.hhr.sa up to 60 days in advance.

Cost Comparison: DIY Umrah vs. Standard Agency Package (BDT)

Expenditure ItemIndependent / DIY (10 Days)Standard Agency Group (10 Days)
Return Airfare (Dhaka–Jeddah/Madinah)৳ 65,000 – ৳ 85,000৳ 75,000 – ৳ 95,000
Umrah Visa & Medical Insurance৳ 14,500 – ৳ 18,000৳ 18,000 – ৳ 22,000
Hotels (3-Star Makkah & Madinah)৳ 35,000 – ৳ 55,000 (Shared)৳ 50,000 – ৳ 80,000
Haramain Train & Local Transport৳ 8,000 – ৳ 12,000৳ 12,000 – ৳ 18,000 (Group Bus)
Food & Daily Allowance৳ 15,000 – ৳ 22,000৳ 18,000 – ৳ 25,000
Total Estimated Expense per Person৳ 137,500 – ৳ 192,000৳ 173,000 – ৳ 240,000+

Best Practices for Bangladeshi Umrah Travelers

  1. Avoid Peak Ramadan Rushes: Hotel tariffs within the Markaziah district of Makkah surge by 200% to 400% during the final ten days of Ramadan. Travelling during early Safar, Rabi’ al-Awwal, or Shawwal yields massive savings.
  2. Carry Dual-Currency Travel Cards: ATMs across Makkah and Madinah dispense Saudi Riyals directly from Bangladeshi dual-currency Visa and Mastercard debit/credit cards at central bank exchange rates.
  3. Download Local Taxi Apps: Avoid unmetered street taxis. Use Careem or Uber for reliable, fixed-price transit between hotels and historic Ziyarah sites (Mount Uhud, Cave of Hira, Masjid Quba).

Sources, Data & References

In accordance with BD Market Insights Editorial Standards, all factual claims, market sizes, and corporate data cited in this publication are cross-referenced with official filings, regulatory bodies, and industry documentation.

  1. Nusuk Official Unified Saudi Pilgrimage Platform — nusuk.sa (Accessed: October 14, 2026)
  2. Haramain High Speed Railway Booking Portal — sar.hhr.sa (Accessed: October 14, 2026)
  3. Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Dhaka Consular Section — embassies.mofa.gov.sa (Accessed: October 14, 2026)