Saudi Arabia Suspends Contracts with 1,800 Foreign Umrah Travel Agencies

Saudi Arabia has taken decisive regulatory action to ensure quality in the Umrah pilgrimage sector. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced the suspension of contracts with 1,800 foreign travel agencies. This accounts for nearly a third of the approximately 5,800 agencies operating in the sector.
The decision followed a routine periodic evaluation. The review revealed significant performance shortcomings and poor service quality among the affected agencies. Consequently, the ministry is enforcing compliance with approved standards to protect pilgrims.

A Limited Suspension with a Clear Path Forward

Importantly, the suspension applies only to the issuance of new Umrah visas. Agencies cannot book new pilgrims during this period. However, the ministry has provided a 10-day grace period for these companies to rectify their status and address the identified classification issues.
The ministry confirmed that contracts will be reactivated once all requirements are met within the deadline. This regulatory approach is designed to help agencies improve rather than simply penalize them.

Protecting Pilgrims is the Top Priority

A key reassurance from the ministry is that current pilgrims will not be affected. Umrah performers who already hold valid visas or have existing reservations will continue to receive services without any disruption. Their rights and travel plans remain fully protected.
The ministry emphasized that applying strict classification and performance indicators is a fundamental measure. The goal is to raise overall compliance and ensure all services meet the high standards expected for this spiritual journey.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

Ghassan Alnwaimi, the ministry’s spokesperson, issued a clear warning. Regulatory action will be taken against any agency that fails to correct its deficiencies by the given deadline. The ministry will continue to use monitoring and evaluation tools to strengthen the sector’s reliability.
This move underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to safeguarding pilgrims’ rights and ensuring a high-quality, seamless experience for all who undertake the Umrah pilgrimage.