Umrah from Tehran
What pilgrims leaving from Tehran need to know: the flight, the visa route for Iranians, the season and a realistic budget.
Flying from Tehran
Umrah travel from Iran operates under specific bilateral arrangements between the Iranian and Saudi governments, and flight availability and routing can change depending on the diplomatic relationship between the two countries at any given time, so confirm current options directly with a licensed Iranian Hajj and Umrah operator before assuming a route exists. When available, connections often route through Doha or another regional hub rather than flying nonstop from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport. Iran has a long tradition of organised pilgrimage travel, coordinated through the Iranian Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, and it is important to book only through officially sanctioned channels given the sensitivity and regulation around this travel. The Iranian rial is used locally, though international payment and currency conversion can be genuinely complicated due to sanctions, so plan payment logistics carefully with your agent well in advance. Tehran's climate varies by season, with hot summers and cold winters. Verify all details close to travel given how frequently arrangements can change.
Umrah visa for Iranians
Iran is not on Saudi Arabia's eVisa list, so Iranians normally cannot self-apply online for Umrah. The route is a licensed Umrah company, or an external agent contracted through Nusuk Masar, which books the visa with an approved hotel and transport package as one file, not a visa alone. It must be used within 30 days of issue, so confirm dates with the operator first. Iran's 2026 Hajj participation was reported suspended amid tensions with Saudi Arabia; confirm current status before planning. Holders of a valid, used US, UK or Schengen visa, or GCC residents, may instead qualify for the eVisa or visa-on-arrival route, so ask the operator to check. For the 1448 AH Umrah season (31 May 2026 to 7 Apr 2027), start several weeks ahead, since checks move faster the earlier you begin.
Full visa guide for Iranians →
When to go
Ramadan carries the greatest reward and the greatest crowds and prices; the weeks after Hajj (late Dhul Hijjah into Muharram) and the winter months (November to February) are cooler and quieter. The 1448 AH season runs from 31 May 2026 to 7 April 2027 for arrivals and departures. See the best time to perform Umrah.
What it costs from Tehran
Your biggest variables are the flight from IKA, the hotel's distance from the Haram, and the season. Use the cost calculator for a range in IRR, then compare operator quotes line by line: visa, flights, hotel nights and category, transfers, and Makkah, Madinah transport.
Before you book
- Check that the operator is contracted through Nusuk Masar (ask for their Saudi partner's name).
- Confirm the hotel name and distance, not just "near Haram".
- Read how to avoid Umrah scams and how to choose an operator.
- Install the offline companion before you fly.