Planning Umrah from India begins with clear numbers and simple rules. Saudi Arabia requires every pilgrim to have medical insurance, and in many cases it is included with the visa or Nusuk package. You may also choose a low-cost top-up policy in India for higher cover and travel benefits.
This guide explains the exact charges in INR, what the Saudi policy covers, vaccine costs you should budget, and when an India top-up makes sense. Read the Umrah Guide to make your journey smooth and cost-effective.
Quick Summary of Umrah Insurance Costs
Saudi-mandated Umrah health insurance
This is usually included with your Umrah visa or Nusuk package. It is issued by a Saudi insurer under the Council of Health Insurance (CHI) “Umrah Pilgrims’ Health Insurance Policy.” It covers emergency medical care in Saudi Arabia up to SAR 100,000, with set sub-limits. You can verify the policy online using your passport details.
Tourist eVisa with medical insurance
For travelers eligible for a tourist eVisa, the fee typically includes the required medical insurance. Many official channels quote SAR 535 for the bundled eVisa. If you use a visa-on-arrival, the medical insurance fee is shown separately (often SAR 180) in addition to the visa fee.
Optional top-up travel insurance from India
Add extra protection for a small daily cost. Budget ₹40–₹75 per day for a basic Asia-plan, depending on age, trip length, and chosen benefits. Indian insurers often advertise “from” prices around ₹41–₹45.5 per day or about ₹288 for a week as starters.
Mandatory vaccination (MenACWY)
Plan ₹4,000–₹6,000 per person in India for the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine. Carry the certificate that meets Saudi entry rules, and keep a printout and a clear phone photo for airport checks.
What does Saudi Umrah Insurance actually cover?
Saudi Arabia issues a standardised policy for international Umrah pilgrims under the Council of Health Insurance (CHI). It is an emergency-focused health policy issued in Saudi Arabia and linked to your Umrah visa. It is meant for unexpected medical emergencies during your stay. At approved hospitals, treatment is usually cashless, which means the hospital bills the insurer directly.
Key benefits and limits from the official schedule:
Total cover for emergencies: Up to SAR 100,000 during your trip.
Deductible: None. You do not need to pay anything upfront; the insurer covers eligible services directly.
Hospital stay (room and meals): Up to SAR 600 per day in a shared room.
Attendant’s expenses: Up to SAR 150 per day for a companion when medically allowed.
Emergency pregnancy care: Up to SAR 5,000 during the policy period.
Emergency dental treatment: Up to SAR 500 for urgent pain or injury.
Emergency medical evacuation: When a move to another hospital is medically required, expenses are covered up to the overall policy limit.
Repatriation of remains: Up to SAR 10,000 if the worst happens.
Where it applies: Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during your policy period.
What Umrah Medical Insurance does not cover?
- Routine or planned treatment that can wait until you are back home.
- General check-ups, preventive visits, and vaccinations not tied to an emergency.
- Non-emergency dental work beyond the small emergency limit.
Umrah Health Insurance Explained: Bundled Option or Extra Cost?
Umrah visa through Nusuk or a licensed operator
When your Umrah tour and travel agent processes the Umrah visa or sells you a Nusuk package, the Saudi Council of Health Insurance (CHI)-compliant medical policy is added automatically in the background by a Saudi insurer. On many Nusuk package listings you will see “Umrah Insurance Program (for International Pilgrims)” listed as an included service. You do not need to apply for this policy on a separate website.
The insurance premium is bundled into your visa or package price. The amount can vary by factors such as your age and the validity of your visa, but you will not see it as a separate line item when booking through your operator.
After the visa is issued, you receive the insurer name, policy number, and validity dates. You can verify the policy online on the official portals using your passport number.
Save a PDF or screenshot on your phone and keep a printout with your travel documents.
Practical tips
- Ask your tour operator to share the policy PDF and the hospital network list.
- Check that your name, passport number, and dates are correct before you travel.
Tourist eVisa used for Umrah
Travellers who qualify for a Saudi tourist eVisa and plan Umrah outside the Hajj period, the eVisa fee generally includes the mandatory Umrah health insurance issued by a Saudi insurer. If you use visa-on-arrival, the medical insurance is usually charged separately at the counter.
The tourist eVisa typically costs around SAR 535 in total, which already includes the medical insurance. With visa-on-arrival, expect a separate medical insurance fee of about SAR 180, which is added to the visa fee.
After your eVisa is issued, you will receive or be able to view a policy number linked to your visa. Verify this policy online before you fly and save the confirmation. Note the insurer’s assistance phone numbers, and keep both digital and printed copies of your visa and insurance details with your travel documents.
Optional Top-up Travel Insurance from India
Many first-time Umrah travellers assume the Saudi-issued policy is enough. It is designed for emergencies inside Saudi Arabia and it has caps. You can make your trip safer and more predictable by adding a separate India-issued travel insurance plan and by budgeting for your mandatory vaccination in India.
The goal is simple. Keep the Saudi policy for cashless emergency care in the Kingdom, and use the India policy to raise limits and cover non-medical risks that the Saudi policy does not include.
An India-issued travel insurance plan complements the Saudi Umrah policy. The Saudi cover focuses on emergency treatment within Saudi Arabia and has a defined overall limit. It usually does not pay for trip cancellation, missed connections, or baggage issues. A top-up plan from India fills these gaps and increases the total protection for your family.
Below are the reasons to consider it:
Raises medical cover to USD 100,000–500,000.
Adds trip cancellation or interruption cover.
Adds missed connection and baggage delay or loss benefits.
May offer limited cover for pre-existing diseases through riders, depending on the insurer.
Provides 24×7 assistance and a simpler claims route for non-medical losses.
Pricing for India-issued plans is usually modest for Asia-region travel. For healthy adults under 60 with a moderate sum insured, you can expect roughly ₹40–₹75 per person per day. Many insurers advertise entry prices around ₹41–₹45.5 per day or about ₹288 for a week, and premiums increase with age, higher medical limits, adventure activities, or added riders.
How Much Does the MenACWY Vaccine Cost in India for Umrah?
Saudi Arabia requires the Quadrivalent Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccination for Umrah, so include it in both your budget and your travel timeline. In India, most clinics issue the vaccination certificate on the same day. You must carry this certificate when you travel because airlines and border officers may ask to see it during check-in or on arrival.
Plan to spend ₹4,000–₹6,000 per person for the MenACWY shot, with the exact price varying by brand and city. Take the vaccine according to medical guidance so that both immunity and the certificate’s validity meet Saudi entry rules for Umrah.
Always carry the original, stamped certificate with your passport and visa documents. Keep a clear photo or a PDF copy saved on your phone and in cloud storage as a backup, so you can produce it quickly if the original is packed away or requested unexpectedly.
Before departure, book your MenACWY appointment early and align it with your travel dates. Check that your name and passport number are printed correctly on the certificate. Place the certificate alongside your visa printout and insurance papers in the same folder to make airport checks smooth and stress-free.
How to verify your Umrah insurance and get care in Saudi?
Before you fly, take a minute to confirm your Umrah insurance is active, valid, and ready for cashless care in Saudi Arabia.
- Find your policy number from your operator or the visa platform once your visa is issued.
- Verify it online on the official Saudi visitor or pilgrim insurance inquiry portal. Enter your passport number and check the insurer, policy status, and validity dates.
- Save proof as a PDF or screenshot on your phone and keep a printed copy in your document pouch.
- Check the network hospital list on your policy or the insurer’s portal and save assistance and claims contact numbers.
- Carry your passport and policy details when visiting any hospital so the reception can enable cashless admission.
Conclusion
Planning Umrah from India becomes simpler once you understand how insurance and medical requirements work. The Saudi Umrah policy is mandatory and usually bundled with your visa or Nusuk package. It focuses on emergencies and sets clear limits, so it protects you when it matters most.
Add a top-up plan from India if you want higher medical limits and travel benefits like trip cancellation, baggage cover, or limited pre-existing condition support. Budget for the MenACWY vaccine, verify your policy online before you fly, and keep copies of all documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saudi medical insurance compulsory for Umrah?
Yes, it is mandatory. International Umrah pilgrims are required to have the CHI’s Umrah Pilgrims’ Health Insurance Policy tied to their visa or package.
Do I need to buy the Saudi policy separately?
No in most cases. It is bundled with your Umrah visa or Nusuk package and is issued by a Saudi insurer. You can verify it online with your passport number.
What does the Saudi Umrah Insurance policy mainly cover?
It mainly covers emergency medical treatment in Saudi Arabia with published sub-limits, often up to SAR 100,000 overall, plus evacuation and limited repatriation.
If I hold a tourist eVisa, is insurance included?
In many channels, yes. The fee usually includes the mandatory medical insurance. Visa-on-arrival often lists the medical insurance fee separately. Policies and prices can vary by nationality and channel.
Why should I buy a top-up travel insurance from India?
To raise medical limits and add non-medical benefits like trip cancellation, missed connections, and baggage cover. It is a small daily cost for a large safety net. Starter pricing advertised by Indian insurers is around ₹41–₹45.5/day or ~₹288 for a week.
What vaccination is required for Umrah?
MenACWY is required. Budget ₹4,000–₹6,000 per person for the vaccine in India, depending on brand and clinic.
