In 2025, Saudi Arabia introduced significant updates to Umrah visa rules and travel regulations. These changes in Umrah rules directly impact Umrah pilgrims and the agencies that serve them. These new regulations aim to provide a safer, more structured pilgrimage experience.

To improve service quality and eliminate fraudulent practices, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah now requires all travel agents and pilgrims to submit confirmed hotel bookings, flights, and transportation through the Nusuk Masar platform. This initiative is part of a broader national strategy linked with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the religious tourism sector through streamlined digital systems and raising service standards.

Only hotels licensed and approved by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism are now permitted in Umrah packages. All licensed Umrah agencies and operators must upload verified hotel contracts. Non-compliance may result in visa delays, rejections, or financial penalties. The following guide outlines the key regulations that B2B travel agents must adhere to ensure compliance and facilitate successful Umrah visa processing.

Visa-Only Applications Are No Longer Accepted

According to the new visa change that takes effect from June 10, 2025. Travelers will no longer be able to apply for a visa only. The Saudi Ministry now mandates that a complete Umrah package accompany every visa application. Only visas will no longer be available to any Umrah traveler or travel agency unless they are accompanied by Nusuk-approved hotels, flights, and ground transportation.

All details must be documented at the time of application to ensure eligibility for visa approval. The purpose of this change is to enhance coordination and mitigate the risk of fraudulent or incomplete Umrah packages being offered to travellers. 

Hotel Bookings Must Cover the Entire Duration of Stay

Travelers must now have hotel bookings for the full length of their stay in Saudi Arabia. Partial hotel room bookings, where pilgrims stay in a hotel for only part of the trip, are no longer valid. It is no longer allowed to stay in hotels for a few days and then move to relatives' apartments or houses. Umrah visas will be issued to travelers whose hotel check-in and check-out dates are specified in the visa application. The check-in and check-out dates of hotels in Makkah and Madinah are then verified with the flight dates. After matching the dates of check-in and check-out, as well as the departure and arrival dates, the visa will be issued. If there is any inconsistency, the visa will be denied or delayed. 

Only Registered Hotels via Nusuk Masar Are Permitted

As an authorized travel agent, please note that not all hotels in Makkah and Madinah are integrated with the Saudi Ministry’s systems. The Saudi authorities strictly require all agents to book accommodations exclusively with hotels licensed and approved by the Ministry. You can check the updated list of registered properties in Makkah and Madinah through the Nusuk Masar platform to ensure you are providing registered accommodations to your Umrah clients. 

Advance Transport Arrangements Are Compulsory

All Umrah visas confirmation now depends on confirmed transport bookings. Applications without transportation covering airport pickups, intercity transfers, and travel to holy sites will be rejected. As a travel agent, you must include these transport services in your packages to meet travel regulatory requirements. This new transport-must law enhances safety, reduces congestion, and streamlines pilgrim movement.

Group Travel Is Welcome

Individual travel is no longer allowed. A couple can travel by choosing a group Umrah package or a private Umrah Package. It is now more safe and less stressful to travel as part of registered groups organized by licensed Umrah operators. This measure improves oversight, simplifies coordination, and ensures greater accountability for agents and their customers.

Same Hotel and Vehicle Policy

Group members are required to stay in the same hotel and travel in the same designated vehicle. Staying in different hotels or using different transport within a group is prohibited. Any deviation can result in penalties for your agency and revocation of the group’s approvals. Ensure your packages maintain consistent hotel and vehicle allocations for each group.

Visa Fees Linked to Vehicle and Passenger Count

Visa fees will now be calculated based on the selected vehicle type and the number of passengers included. When designing packages, keep these factors in mind, as authorities are using this information to manage traffic flow, especially during peak Umrah seasons.

Children Must Be Included in Booking Details

Every child accompanying a group must have an assigned hotel bed and a reserved seat in transport. Incomplete records will result in visa rejections. Be sure to document all minors accurately within your package submission.

Confirmed Air Tickets Required

Only packages including confirmed flight tickets are eligible for visa processing. Provisional bookings or unconfirmed itineraries will not be accepted by the Ministry.

No Amendments After Visa Issuance

Once the visa and package are approved, no changes are permitted. This includes altering hotels, shifting travel dates, modifying transport arrangements, or reassigning group members. Make sure all details are final and validated before submission to avoid cancellations or penalties.

Why These Measures Are in Place

These policy updates are part of Saudi Vision 2030’s framework to elevate service quality, enhance operational transparency, and ensure pilgrims’ safety. By enforcing stricter regulations around hotels, transport, and group management, authorities aim to protect travelers, prevent misuse of the visa system, and deliver a more organized Umrah experience.

How Funadiq Supports Agents

Funadiq stays fully aligned with the latest regulations and provides all-inclusive Umrah services and hotels designed specifically to meet these requirements. Our solutions help you deliver compliant, seamless, and high-quality services to your customers while safeguarding your agency against policy violations.