Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended contracts with 1,800 foreign travel agencies operating in the Umrah sector, citing poor performance and non-compliance with service standards, according reports. Announced on February 1, the decision affects nearly one-third of the roughly 5,800 global agencies but assures no disruption for pilgrims with existing visas or bookings.
The decision was taken after periodic performance review exposed deficiencies in service quality, including inadequate management of pilgrim documents like passports (requiring six months’ validity), Umrah visas, and health insurance. Agencies failed to adhere to the Nusuk platform’s verification for hotels, transport, and flights, leading to risks for worshippers. The ministry aims to protect pilgrims’ rights and elevate the Umrah experience ahead of peak seasons, the reports said
Suspended operators have 10 days to rectify violations, after which compliant firms can resume via reauthorization. Non-compliant agencies face permanent exclusion from the Nusuk ecosystem, which mandates Booking Reference Numbers (BRN) for all visas. Officials emphasized ongoing monitoring to ensure reliability.
Pilgrims with confirmed packages face no interruptions, as services continue seamlessly. The crackdown targets fly-by-night operators, potentially improving long-term quality despite short-term market disruptions. New bookings must now go through verified providers only, with strict cutoffs before Hajj season.
Ministry spokesperson Ghassan Alnwaimi warned of regulatory action post-deadline, reinforcing commitment to standards. Travelers are urged to book via official Nusuk channels, reports said.
