For decades, performing Umrah from Bangladesh has been locked behind expensive full-service travel agency packages costing between ৳1,40,000 and ৳2,50,000 BDT per person. Most travelers simply accepted this as an inevitable financial hurdle.
However, under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and official Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) directives, international travelers can now enter the Kingdom, perform full Umrah rituals in Makkah, and visit the Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi) in Madinah for up to 96 hours (4 full days) on a Free Stopover Transit Visa.
If you are flying via national carriers Saudia or flynas to any onward destination — such as the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Turkey, UAE, or Egypt — your transit visa costs 0 SAR in consular visa fees, requiring only approximately $10.50 to $14 USD (~৳1,300–1,800 BDT) for automated administrative processing and mandatory medical insurance. Even better, Saudia frequently provides a complimentary 1-night hotel stay in Jeddah or Riyadh.
What Is the Saudi 96-Hour Stopover Transit Visa?
The Saudi Stopover Transit Visa is an electronic visa (e-Visa) integrated directly into the flight booking engines of Saudi national airlines (Saudia and flynas).
- Maximum Duration of Stay: Exactly 96 hours (calculated from the exact minute your inbound flight touches down at passport control in Saudi Arabia).
- Validity Period: Valid for 90 days from the date of electronic issuance.
- Entry Type: Single-entry only.
- Permitted Activities: Tourism, business meetings, sightseeing across any Saudi city, and performing Umrah and Ziyarah (Hajj is strictly prohibited).
- Flight Requirement: You must hold a confirmed booking with Saudia or flynas departing from your origin (e.g., Dhaka - DAC) connecting through Saudi Arabia to a confirmed third country destination (e.g., London, Istanbul, Dubai, Cairo).
Comprehensive Cost Breakdown: Transit Visa vs. Agency Umrah Package
| Expense Head | 96-Hour Stopover Transit (Self-Managed) | Traditional Travel Agency Package |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Visa Fee | 0 SAR (FREE) | ৳15,000 – ৳22,000 |
| Admin & Insurance | ~$13.95 USD (~৳1,700 BDT) | Included in agency margin |
| Flight Ticket | Standard airfare to destination | ৳85,000 – ৳1,15,000 |
| Hotel Accommodation | Night 1: FREE (Saudia) + Extra ~৳5,000 | ৳35,000 – ৳65,000 |
| Airport to Makkah Transport | Haramain Bullet Train: ~৳1,500 BDT | Shared bus |
| Total Extra Cost for Umrah | ~৳8,000 – ৳15,000 BDT | ৳1,50,000 – ৳2,20,000+ BDT |
Mandatory Eligibility Criteria for Bangladeshi Passport Holders
To obtain this automated transit visa, Bangladeshi passport holders must meet four specific requirements:
- Valid Passport: MRP or e-Passport with at least 6 months validity remaining from travel date.
- Confirmed Onward Ticket: Country A → Saudi Arabia → Country B (e.g., Dhaka → Jeddah [72h] → London). Point-to-point round-trip flights (Dhaka-Jeddah-Dhaka) are not eligible.
- Visa for Final Destination: Valid visa, residence permit, or entry authorization for your onward destination (e.g., UK, USA, Schengen, UAE visa).
- Transit Duration: Layover must be between 12 hours and 96 hours.
🕌 Essential Shariah Warning: Crossing the Meeqat on the Aircraft
If flying from Dhaka to Jeddah with the intention of performing Umrah immediately, you must enter the state of Ihram before crossing the Meeqat (Yalamlam) in the air — roughly 30–45 minutes before landing. The Saudia captain will announce when approaching the Meeqat. Do NOT land in Jeddah in normal street clothes if you intend to go straight to Makkah, as this requires a penalty sacrifice (Damm) under Islamic rulings.
Step-by-Step Online Application Process via Saudia
Step 1: Select Multi-City or Add a Stopover
On www.saudia.com, choose "Book Flights" and enable "Add a Stopover". Select Jeddah (JED) or Riyadh (RUH) with your desired stay (48, 72, or 96 hours).
Step 2: Enter Passenger Details
Enter name, passport number, expiry date, and nationality exactly as written in your Bangladeshi passport.
Step 3: Opt for Stopover Transit Visa
Under "Seats & Extras", tick "Yes" for the Saudi Stopover Transit Visa prompt.
Step 4: Claim the Complimentary 1-Night Hotel
Select your free hotel voucher powered by Saudia Holidays. You MUST select it before checkout; it cannot be added after payment is completed.
Step 5: Pay & Receive Instant eVisa
Pay ticket fare and the ~$14 USD admin fee using a dual-currency or international card. Your approved electronic visa with QR code arrives via email within 15 minutes.
Booking Umrah & Rawdah Permits on the Nusuk App
Entering Saudi Arabia is granted by the visa, but entering the Mataf for Umrah and the sacred Rawdah Sharif (Riyad ul-Jannah) in Madinah requires an electronic permit via the Nusuk app (www.nusuk.sa):
- Download the official "Nusuk" app on iOS or Android
- Select "International Visitor" and register using your Visa number, Passport number, and Date of Birth
- Select "Umrah Permit" and book your preferred date and time slot
- Select "Praying in the Noble Rawdah" (separate slots for men and women)
- Save an offline screenshot of your green QR code permit on your phone
Transportation: Jeddah Airport to Makkah via Haramain Bullet Train
The 300 km/h Haramain High-Speed Railway station is located directly inside Terminal 1 of Jeddah Airport:
- Travel Time: Only 54 minutes from Jeddah Airport Station to Makkah Station (Rusayfah).
- Ticket Fares: Economy: 40 to 60 SAR (~৳1,300–1,950 BDT); Business: 115 to 150 SAR (~৳3,700–4,900 BDT).
- Luggage Restrictions: Only ONE suitcase (max 25 kg) plus one handbag per passenger. Check heavy baggage directly through to your final destination at Dhaka airport to avoid boarding refusal.
Female Travelers & The Mahram Rule (2026 Update)
Under official regulations enacted by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah, women of all ages are 100% legally permitted to enter Saudi Arabia on a transit visa and perform Umrah independently without a male guardian (Mahram). No proof of kinship, marriage certificates, or NOC letters are required at Saudi immigration control or Grand Mosque gates.
The 3 Deadly Mistakes Bangladeshi Travelers Must Avoid
1. Overstaying the 96-Hour Limit
The 96-hour window is tracked to the exact minute by Saudi border control. Overstaying triggers an automatic fine of 500 to 1,000 SAR, deportation, and a multi-year travel ban across all GCC countries. Keep your planned stopover between 72 and 85 hours to absorb flight delays.
2. Buying Zamzam from Street Hawkers
Airlines strictly prohibit uncertified canisters of Zamzam in baggage. You must purchase the officially sealed, barcoded 5-liter King Abdullah Zamzam canister at airport terminal counters (12.50 SAR / ~৳400 BDT) by presenting your passport and boarding pass.
3. Attempting to Enter Mataf without Nusuk Permit
During peak seasons, security personnel at the ground courtyard gates (Mataf) verify active green QR permits on the Nusuk app. Always screenshot your permit offline in case of cellular connectivity drops.
The Ideal 96-Hour Transit Umrah Master Itinerary
| Day | City | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Makkah | Arrive Jeddah Airport, board Haramain Train (54 min) in Ihram, check into hotel, perform Umrah (Tawaf, Sa'i, Halq/Taqseer). |
| Day 2 | Makkah → Madinah | Fajr in Haram, 2:00 PM bullet train to Madinah (2h 15m), check into Madinah hotel, Maghrib & Isha at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. |
| Day 3 | Madinah → Jeddah | Scheduled Nusuk Rawdah Sharif slot, Ziyarah to Masjid Quba and Mount Uhud, evening return train to Jeddah hotel. |
| Day 4 | Jeddah Departure | Collect sealed 5L Zamzam at airport counter (12.50 SAR), board onward flight to London/Dubai. Total transit: ~83 hours. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I get a 96-hour transit visa with a Biman Bangladesh Airlines ticket?
No. The automated 96-hour Stopover Transit Visa is exclusive to Saudi national carriers (Saudia and flynas). Biman Bangladesh Airlines tickets do not qualify.
Can women perform Umrah on a transit visa without a Mahram?
Yes. Under official Ministry of Hajj & Umrah rules, women of all ages can enter Saudi Arabia on a transit visa and perform Umrah independently without a male guardian (Mahram).
What happens if I overstay the 96 hours?
Overstaying by even one hour triggers an automatic fine of 500 to 1,000 SAR, deportation, and a multi-year travel ban across all GCC countries. Keep your total transit under 85–90 hours to account for possible flight delays.
Can I perform Hajj on this transit visa?
No. Performing Hajj on any visit, tourist, or transit visa is strictly illegal under Saudi law and results in arrest, severe fines (up to 10,000 SAR), deportation, and a 10-year ban.
Is my heavy baggage transferred automatically, or must I take it to Makkah?
At Dhaka airport, ask the check-in agent to "through-check" your heavy bags to your final destination (e.g. London). You only carry a light cabin bag with Ihram into Makkah.
What card do I need to pay the $14 USD visa fee?
You must use an international credit card or a Bangladeshi dual-currency debit card with active passport travel quota endorsement.