The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced new and quite strict rules to improve the Umrah pilgrimage experience. The rule will take effect from June 10, 2025 (14 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH).

If you are a travel agent planning to arrange Umrah for the 1447H season, it is important to understand the updated visa procedures, health requirements, and booking processes. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know to avoid visa rejection for your clients.

Overview of the New Umrah Season (1447H)

From June 10, 2025, the official Umrah season has begun. The Umrah season will continue through April 2026. The Saudi Ministry has updated its pilgrimage systems and Umrah rules to make the pilgrimage safer with improved service quality. These new updates in the Umrah policy are designed to make all operations well-connected and secure for pilgrims coming from different parts of the world.

What Travel Agents Must Do Before Applying for a Visa

Previously, many pilgrims applied for an Umrah visa first and arranged other logistics,like accommodations, transport and flights later. This is now not possible. The new process requires travel agents to guide their clients through the right steps to avoid visa rejection and delays.

Book a Confirmed Flight Ticket

After a successful vaccination process, you must help pilgrims proceed to the next step, which is booking flights to Saudi Arabia. Make sure the ticket is confirmed and that all travel details are updated.

Book Hotels Through the Nusuk Masar Portal

It is now mandatory for travel agents to book hotels for their clients through the Saudi portal, Nusuk Masar. This portal has only ministry-approved registered hotels. It is to be noted that the platform is a Saudi official platform, and using other unverified methods, such as WhatsApp, is no longer acceptable. If hotel bookings are not made through Nusuk Masar, the Umrah visa will not be approved. Some agents are still using unverified platforms, which can create complications and lead to visa rejection or cancellations. Before booking a hotel, always ensure it is verified by Nusuk Masar.

Book Ground Transportation in Advance

Another important update is to reserve transport before applying for a visa. This includes airport pickups and transfers between cities such as Mecca and Medina. Whether you are arranging buses, shared vans, or private cars, the transport arrangements must be confirmed and uploaded in the Nusuk portal. This requirement is mandatory to ensure smooth travel upon arrival.

Get Required Vaccinations 

If your clients are not vaccinated, they will not get an Umrah visa. As a travel agent, you can't make any reservations unless pilgrims provide the vaccination certificate. Every pilgrim aged two years and older must receive the meningococcal ACYW-135 vaccine. Pilgrims must take this vaccine at least ten days before arrival in Saudi Arabia. The Polio vaccine is mandatory for pilgrims coming from high-risk polio countries, such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and certain African countries. Pilgrims from these countries must receive vaccination at least four weeks before entering Saudi Arabia. 

It is important to collect and verify official vaccination certificates from your clients. Pilgrims will not be able to proceed with their travel without them.

Upload All Documents to Nusuk Portal

Once vaccinations are completed and you have booked the flight, hotel, and transportation, you must upload all the necessary documents to the Nusuk portal. The documents you need to upload include a copy of your client’s passport, valid vaccination certificates, the confirmed flight itinerary, hotel booking made through Nusuk, and ground transport confirmation. This step is essential before proceeding with the visa application.

Apply for the Umrah Visa

After successfully completing all the steps and uploading documents to the Nusuk portal, you can proceed to apply for an Umrah visa on behalf of your clients. Applications can be made through the official Saudi visa portal or via your licensed agency account. Fill out the visa application form carefully and attach all the required documentation. After submitting all the documents, wait for visa approval. It is strongly advised not to confirm non-refundable services unless you are sure all steps have been completed and approved.

Important Info About Hotel Rooms in Nusuk Masar

Travel agents need to be very careful when choosing hotel rooms for their clients. According to the new Umrah rule, only hotels registered with Nusuk Masar will be accepted for Umrah visa approval. If you're organizing groups, you need to pay close attention to this.

Lots of hotels in Makkah and Madinah have rooms with five beds (Quint rooms). However, the Nusuk Masar system (the platform you use for bookings) currently only shows options for rooms with three beds ("Triple") or four beds ("Quad").

This means even if a hotel tells you they have five bedrooms available, the Nusuk Masar system might not approve that booking. This kind of mismatch can cause hindrances in visa approval.

To avoid any last-minute problems or surprises, it is crucial to double-check all your hotel bookings. Make sure the room types you are trying to book match exactly what's shown and supported on the Nusuk Masar system.

Final Thoughts

Saudi Arabia has introduced new rules to make the Umrah process more organized and secure. For many travel agents and Umrah pilgrims, the process may seem complicated in the beginning, but following the correct order and using the authorized platform helps travel agents and pilgrims stay on the right track and avoid any complications that can lead to visa rejections. The first step begins with vaccinations, followed by confirmed and verified bookings, uploading all necessary documents to the Nusuk portal, and then applying for the visa. Taking the right steps at the right time will ensure a peaceful and fulfilling Umrah journey for your clients and also reduce the hassle for your agency.