Makkah | BETH
February 1, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the suspension of contracts with 1,800 foreign Umrah travel agencies, out of approximately 5,800 agencies operating worldwide, granting them a 10-day period to rectify their status following the results of periodic performance evaluations that identified deficiencies in service quality and compliance.

The Ministry clarified that the suspension applies only to the issuance of new visas and forms part of a regulatory framework aimed at enabling agencies to address classification observations and meet approved performance standards. Contracts will be reinstated once requirements are fulfilled within the specified timeframe.

It further confirmed that Umrah pilgrims holding valid visas or existing bookings will not be affected, with all services continuing as usual, stressing that safeguarding pilgrims’ rights and ensuring service continuity remain top priorities.

The Ministry’s official spokesperson, Dr. Ghassan Al-Nuwaimi, stated that legal measures will be taken against agencies that fail to comply after the deadline, affirming the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to enhance the reliability of the Umrah ecosystem and protect pilgrims’ rights.