Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended contracts with 1,800 foreign travel agencies after a review found serious deficiencies in service quality and compliance with approved standards. The announcement, made on February 1, 2026, affects nearly one-third of the roughly 5,800 agencies operating worldwide but does not impact pilgrims with valid visas or confirmed bookings.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the suspension followed a routine evaluation of foreign Umrah operators, which revealed lapses in service delivery, including problems with accommodation, transport, and visa processing. The ministry has given affected agencies a 10-day window to correct the issues. Those meeting the required standards within this period may have their contracts reinstated and resume issuing new visas.
Pilgrims’ services remain uninterrupted
Officials emphasised that the suspension applies only to new visa issuance and contract renewals. Existing pilgrims with valid visas or confirmed bookings will continue to receive full services, including accommodation, transportation, and visa support. Ministry spokesperson Ghassan Alnwaimi stated that enforcing performance benchmarks is key to protecting pilgrims’ rights and ensuring reliability across the Umrah sector.
The regulatory action is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to professionalise the Umrah travel ecosystem, improve accountability, and align services with international standards. Analysts note that stricter oversight helps build trust among pilgrims, reduces fraud, and ensures agencies uphold contractual obligations, strengthening the Kingdom’s reputation as the guardian of Islam’s two holiest sites.
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Agencies that fail to comply within the grace period could face continued suspension or permanent contract termination. The ministry plans to maintain monitoring and evaluation tools, including surprise inspections and stricter performance metrics, to uphold service standards for future pilgrims.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the suspension followed a routine evaluation of foreign Umrah operators, which revealed lapses in service delivery, including problems with accommodation, transport, and visa processing. The ministry has given affected agencies a 10-day window to correct the issues. Those meeting the required standards within this period may have their contracts reinstated and resume issuing new visas.
Pilgrims’ services remain uninterrupted
Officials emphasised that the suspension applies only to new visa issuance and contract renewals. Existing pilgrims with valid visas or confirmed bookings will continue to receive full services, including accommodation, transportation, and visa support. Ministry spokesperson Ghassan Alnwaimi stated that enforcing performance benchmarks is key to protecting pilgrims’ rights and ensuring reliability across the Umrah sector.The regulatory action is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to professionalise the Umrah travel ecosystem, improve accountability, and align services with international standards. Analysts note that stricter oversight helps build trust among pilgrims, reduces fraud, and ensures agencies uphold contractual obligations, strengthening the Kingdom’s reputation as the guardian of Islam’s two holiest sites.
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
Agencies that fail to comply within the grace period could face continued suspension or permanent contract termination. The ministry plans to maintain monitoring and evaluation tools, including surprise inspections and stricter performance metrics, to uphold service standards for future pilgrims.
