Do Kenyan pilgrims need travel insurance for Umrah or Hajj?
Saudi Arabia includes compulsory insurance in every Umrah and Hajj visa: it covers emergency treatment, evacuation, accidents and death inside Saudi Arabia only, for 90 days, up to SAR 100,000. It does not cover the journey, stopovers, cancellation before you leave or lost baggage. Two Kenyan insurers publish pilgrimage plans for trips of up to 45 days, from about USD 22 to USD 61, that fill those gaps.
Saudi visa insurance or a Kenyan pilgrimage plan?
| Saudi visa insurance | Kenyan pilgrimage plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Included in the visa fee | About USD 22 – 61 |
| Where it covers | Inside Saudi Arabia only | The whole journey, including stopovers |
| How long | 90 days from entry | Up to 45 days |
| Emergency medical | Up to SAR 100,000 | USD 10,000 – 25,000 by level |
| Cancellation before you leave | No | Yes |
| Lost or delayed baggage | No | Yes |
| Evacuation home to Kenya | Within its limit | Yes |
- Saudi visa insurance
- Included in the visa fee
- Kenyan pilgrimage plan
- About USD 22 – 61
- Saudi visa insurance
- Inside Saudi Arabia only
- Kenyan pilgrimage plan
- The whole journey, including stopovers
- Saudi visa insurance
- 90 days from entry
- Kenyan pilgrimage plan
- Up to 45 days
- Saudi visa insurance
- Up to SAR 100,000
- Kenyan pilgrimage plan
- USD 10,000 – 25,000 by level
- Saudi visa insurance
- No
- Kenyan pilgrimage plan
- Yes
- Saudi visa insurance
- No
- Kenyan pilgrimage plan
- Yes
- Saudi visa insurance
- Within its limit
- Kenyan pilgrimage plan
- Yes
You hold both: the Saudi cover is automatic, and the Kenyan plan adds what it leaves out.
What a pilgrimage plan costs
| Trip length | Basic (USD) | Plus (USD) | Extra (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 days | 22 – 23 | 25 – 27 | 33 – 35 |
| 16 – 25 days | 29 – 30 | 35 – 36 | 41 – 43 |
| 26 – 45 days | 37 – 38 | 43 – 44 | 59 – 61 |
- Basic (USD)
- 22 – 23
- Plus (USD)
- 25 – 27
- Extra (USD)
- 33 – 35
- Basic (USD)
- 29 – 30
- Plus (USD)
- 35 – 36
- Extra (USD)
- 41 – 43
- Basic (USD)
- 37 – 38
- Plus (USD)
- 43 – 44
- Extra (USD)
- 59 – 61
Two Kenyan insurers' published rates, October 2026; age loadings apply from 66.
Before you apply
Kenya is not on Saudi Arabia's eVisa list, so Kenyan pilgrims apply through the embassy or approved Umrah packages.
Source: Visit Saudi eVisa portal
At least 5,000 Kenyan Muslims were expected to perform Hajj in 2026, up from about 4,500 in 2025.
Checklist for pilgrims
- Confirm the Saudi insurance is included in your visa or package price.
- Buy the Kenyan plan before you leave, for the full journey including stopovers.
- Declare older pilgrims' ages accurately: loadings start at 66.
- Carry both policy numbers and the 24-hour assistance number.
- Group of ten or more? Ask for a group rate.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance for Umrah or Hajj?
Saudi Arabia already includes compulsory insurance in every Umrah and Hajj visa, so you are covered for emergencies inside the country. A Kenyan pilgrimage plan covers what that leaves out: the journey and stopovers, cancellation before you leave, baggage, and evacuation home.
What does Saudi Arabia's visa insurance cover?
Emergency treatment and hospital care, evacuation, accidents and death, up to SAR 100,000, inside Saudi Arabia only and for 90 days from entry. You cannot opt out of it.
How much is a pilgrimage travel plan in Kenya?
About USD 22–35 for up to 15 days, USD 29–43 for 16–25 days and USD 37–61 for 26–45 days on published rates, depending on the level.
How long can a pilgrimage plan last?
Up to 45 days on the plans Kenyan insurers publish, which covers both Umrah and Hajj trips.
Can Kenyans get a Saudi eVisa for Umrah?
No. Kenya is not on Saudi Arabia's eVisa list, so Kenyan pilgrims apply through the embassy or an approved Umrah package.
Can a group of pilgrims be covered together?
Yes. Insurers sell group plans for ten or more travellers on the same itinerary, often at a lower daily rate.
Is there a Sharia-compliant option?
Ask us. We will check which insurers can offer a takaful-based travel policy for your dates.
Planning Umrah or Hajj?
Tell us the dates and the number of pilgrims. We compare Kenyan pilgrimage plans and explain what your visa insurance already covers.
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Sources (4)
- Arab News, 17 January 2023
- Kenyan insurers' published 2025 travel rate cards, checked 19 Oct 2026
- Visit Saudi eVisa portal
- The Standard, citing the Kenya Hajj Mission
Facts and published prices checked 19 Oct 2026; last reviewed October 2026 by Naveah Capital. Prices shown are published rates and market estimates in US dollars, before any levies an insurer adds; they are not a quote. Naveah Capital Insurance Agency is an IRA-licensed insurance agency in Nairobi; this page is general information, and your policy wording decides your cover.
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