Saudi Arabia suspends 1,800 Umrah travel agencies due to poor performance
SAUDI Arabia suspended the contracts of 1,800 foreign travel agencies, out of approximately 5,800 operating in the Umrah sector, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Sunday.
The ministry gave the affected agencies a 10-day grace period to address deficiencies found during the periodic evaluation, which showed shortcomings in performance and service quality.
According to the ministry, the suspension applies only to new visa issuance and is part of a regulatory approach to help agencies address issues and improve compliance with approved standards. Contracts will be reactivated once the requirements are met within the grace period.
The ministry emphasised that pilgrims with valid visas or existing bookings will not be affected, and services will continue uninterrupted.
Ministry spokesperson Ghassan Alnwaimi stated that regulatory action will be taken against any agency that fails to correct its deficiencies by the specified deadline. He said the ministry will continue to apply monitoring and evaluation tools to strengthen the reliability of the Umrah sector and safeguard pilgrims' rights.
Umrah agency rules
Umrah travel agencies must be officially authorised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. All Umrah packages should be booked and verified through the Nusuk platform, so pilgrims have confirmed hotel bookings and approved transportation before they travel.
From 2026, agencies must strictly manage pilgrim documents, including passports with at least six months' validity, valid Umrah visas, and required health insurance. These steps help ensure compliance, safety, and a smoother pilgrimage for worshippers.
Umrah visa validity rules
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reduced the entry validity of the Umrah visa to 30 days from the date of issuance. You must enter Saudi Arabia within one month of the visa being issued, or it will be cancelled and you must reapply.
Once you enter, the permitted stay remains up to 90 days, covering your pilgrimage and travel within the Kingdom.
Pilgrims must use the official Nusuk app to obtain an Umrah permit prior to entry. The app manages booking, scheduling time slots for rituals, and QR-code entry authorisation at the holy mosques. Without a valid Nusuk permit, entry to Masjid Al Haram or Masjid An Nabawi is not permitted.
Saudi Arabia now requires confirmed bookings linked to the visa application. This includes:
Accommodation (licensed hotels)
Ground transportation (airport transfers)
Flight tickets (round-trip)
No visa will be issued without a verified Booking Reference Number (BRN) showing all required bookings
Because the Umrah season must conclude before the Hajj season begins, the Saudi government has set firm cutoff dates for 2026. Missing these deadlines can result in entry denial or overstay penalties.
