Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh
Riyadh, Dec 29: Saudi authorities have suspended an Umrah service provider and its overseas agent after pilgrims reached the Kingdom without the accommodation guaranteed in their approved travel packages. The action was announced by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah as part of stricter enforcement measures amid a sharp rise in Umrah arrivals.
According to the ministry, the company had listed accommodation as part of the officially approved contractual programme but failed to provide lodging upon the pilgrims’ arrival in Saudi Arabia. The lapse left several pilgrims without secured housing, prompting immediate regulatory intervention.
In a statement issued through the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry described the failure as a clear breach of regulations governing services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques. Legal action was initiated against both the licensed Umrah company and its foreign partner under existing regulatory frameworks. The ministry said the move aims to protect pilgrims’ rights, prevent repeat violations, and maintain high service standards, stressing that any shortcomings in contracted services will not be tolerated.
The suspension reflects a broader tightening of oversight as Umrah volumes continue to surge. In June last year, seven Umrah companies were similarly suspended over transport-related violations, signalling sustained regulatory scrutiny rather than isolated enforcement.
The scale of the challenge is significant. During the Islamic month of Jumada Al Akhira, which concluded in late December 2025, more than 1.7 million pilgrims performed Umrah. Managing accommodation, transport, and crowd movement for such numbers has led authorities to enforce stricter pre-arrival requirements.
Saudi Arabia now mandates confirmed hotel bookings and local transport arrangements before Umrah visas are approved. These details are verified through official digital platforms such as Nusuk Masar and the Nusuk Umrah portal. From this year, visa approvals have become increasingly dependent on digitally validated accommodation and transport contracts uploaded through the Nusuk system.
Officials say the shift toward full digitisation is designed to curb fraud, prevent last-minute disruptions for pilgrims, and centralise Umrah services, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to enhance the overall pilgrim experience.