Group Umrah for companies: planning a staff group
Sending a group of employees for Umrah is different from booking for one family. Flights, rooms, transport, permits and the needs of first-time and older pilgrims all have to work for everyone at once.
How big should a group be
Groups of 20 to 40 people are easier to manage than very large ones: they fit one coach, one hotel floor and one group leader. Larger programmes can be split into several departures, which also spreads the absence across teams.
Ask for passports early. Names must match passports exactly for tickets, visas and permits, and expired or nearly expired passports are the most common cause of late changes.
Getting the group there and around
Direct flights from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to Jeddah and Madinah keep the journey short. A common pattern is to fly into Madinah and out of Jeddah, or the reverse, to avoid back-tracking.
Between the two cities, the Haramain high-speed railway takes about two hours twenty minutes and avoids a long coach journey; luggage rules apply, so plan bags in advance. Within Makkah and Madinah, a dedicated coach for group movements is simpler than taxis.
- Group fares are held with a deposit and names added later
- Fly in to one city and out of the other
- Train between Makkah and Madinah, coach within each city
Rooms, distance and meals
Distance to the Haram matters more than star rating for most pilgrims, especially older staff. Keep the whole group in one hotel where possible, agree room sharing in advance, and decide whether meals are included. See our Makkah hotels guide for distance bands.
First-time and older pilgrims
Many staff travelling on a company programme are first-time pilgrims. A briefing before departure — the rites, ihram, what to pack, health and heat — reduces anxiety and mistakes. For older staff, plan short walking distances, wheelchair options at the Haram, and medication in hand luggage.
A group leader who has performed Umrah before, ideally with a religious guide, keeps the group together, handles permits and deals with changes on the ground.
- Pre-departure briefing in Urdu and English
- Group leader and religious guide
- Wheelchair and accessibility planning
- Emergency contacts and a WhatsApp group
Nusuk permits and visas
Each pilgrim needs an Umrah permit in Nusuk, and a Rawdah permit for Madinah if they wish to pray there; slots fill at busy times. Go Global arranges corporate Umrah through our licensed Umrah partner. Umrah visas for Pakistani passport holders are processed by Saudi-approved Umrah companies through the official Nusuk system, and our licensed Umrah partner handles that processing for the groups we plan.
How Go Global plans it
Plan
Dates, group size and budget agreed.
Documents
Passports, photos and vaccinations collected.
Bookings
Flights, hotels, train and coaches.
Briefing
Pre-departure session for the group.
Journey
Group leader with the group; one invoice afterwards.
Questions we are asked
What is a good group size for a company Umrah?
Around 20 to 40 people per departure is easiest to manage. Larger programmes can be split into several departures.
How do groups travel between Makkah and Madinah?
Usually by the Haramain high-speed railway, about two hours twenty minutes, or by coach.
Do you send a group leader?
We plan every group with a group leader and can include a religious guide.
Can elderly staff take part?
Yes, with planning: hotels close to the Haram, wheelchair options and a medical check before travel.
Planning a group Umrah?
Tell us who is travelling, when and why. We reply with a plan, the visa route and a quote. Go Global has handled 100,000+ trips since 2020, and our team works 24/7 for travellers on the road. Email insights@goglobal.pk or WhatsApp 0320-4111222.