Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended contracts of around 1,800 foreign travel agencies involved in the Umrah business, out of nearly 5,800 agencies operating worldwide. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and reported by Khaleej Times. This action follows a routine evaluation that identified shortcomings in service quality and operational performance among several agencies.
The ministry has given the suspended agencies a 10-day window to rectify the issues highlighted during the assessment. Until then, the suspension will apply only to the issuance of new Umrah visas. Officials have clarified that this is a corrective regulatory measure aimed at bringing agencies back in line with approved service standards. Contracts will be reinstated once the agencies successfully meet the required benchmarks within the stipulated time.
Importantly, pilgrims who already hold valid visas or have confirmed bookings will not be affected. The ministry assured that all existing travel and accommodation arrangements will continue without disruption.
Ministry spokesperson Ghassan Alnwaimi stated that agencies failing to comply within the deadline will face stricter penalties. He also emphasized that continuous monitoring and evaluations will remain in place to strengthen the Umrah ecosystem, ensure service quality, and safeguard pilgrims’ rights.
Under Saudi regulations, Umrah travel agencies must be officially licensed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Pilgrims are required to book their Umrah packages through the official Nusuk platform, which verifies accommodation and transport arrangements in advance to avoid logistical issues.
From 2026 onwards, agencies will carry greater responsibility for pilgrim documentation. This includes ensuring passports have a minimum six-month validity, visas are valid, and mandatory health insurance is in place. These measures aim to reduce last-minute complications and improve overall compliance and safety.
Saudi authorities have also revised Umrah visa rules. The validity of an Umrah visa has been reduced to 30 days from the date of issuance, meaning pilgrims must enter Saudi Arabia within one month or apply again. However, once inside the country, pilgrims are permitted to stay for up to 90 days, allowing sufficient time for pilgrimage and travel within the Kingdom.
Pilgrims must also secure an Umrah permit through the Nusuk app prior to entry. The app manages scheduling, bookings, and QR-based access approvals for Masjid Al Haram and Masjid An Nabawi. Entry to the holy mosques is not permitted without a valid Nusuk permit.
Visa issuance is now strictly linked to confirmed bookings. Applicants must provide verified proof of accommodation in licensed hotels, ground transportation including airport transfers, and round-trip flight tickets. Without a valid Booking Reference Number reflecting these arrangements, visas will not be issued.
Additionally, Saudi authorities have announced fixed deadlines for the 2026 Umrah season, as preparations for Hajj must begin soon after. The last date for Umrah visa issuance is March 20, 2026, the final entry date for pilgrims is April 3, 2026, and all pilgrims must exit the country by April 18, 2026. Missing these deadlines could result in entry denial or penalties for overstaying.
