The Decision Is Limited to Suspending the Issuance of New Visas Only, with a 10-Day Grace Period for Agencies to Rectify Their Status
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the suspension of existing contracts with 1,800 overseas travel agencies operating in the Umrah sector, out of approximately 5,800 overseas travel agencies, granting them a 10-day grace period to rectify their status. The decision follows the results of the approved periodic evaluation, which identified shortcomings in performance levels and poor service quality among these agencies.
The Ministry clarified that the suspension applies only to the issuance of new visas. The measure is part of a regulatory approach aimed at enabling agencies to address classification-related observations and improve their compliance with approved standards. Contracts will be reactivated after the grace period once all necessary requirements have been fulfilled, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The Ministry emphasized that Umrah pilgrims holding valid visas or existing bookings will not be affected by this measure, and the services provided to them will continue without any changes. It also explained that implementing the approved classification system and performance indicators is a fundamental regulatory measure aimed at enhancing service providers’ compliance and ensuring the delivery of services that meet approved standards. The Ministry stressed that protecting pilgrims’ rights and ensuring the continuity of their services remain a top priority in all regulatory measures.
For his part, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Ghassan Al-Nuaimi, confirmed that the Ministry will take all necessary regulatory measures against any agency that fails to rectify its status after the specified grace period. He also stressed that the Ministry will continue applying monitoring and evaluation tools to strengthen the reliability of the Umrah system and safeguard pilgrims’ rights.
To view the announcement on the Saudi Press Agency's website, click here.
