Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has temporarily suspended contracts with around 1,800 foreign Umrah travel agencies after finding problems during a routine performance review.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the decision affects agencies working in the Umrah sector out of a total of about 5,800. The review found weaknesses in service quality and overall performance.
The ministry said the suspension applies only to issuing new Umrah visas.
The affected agencies have been given 10 days to fix their compliance and classification issues. Once the required standards are met within this period, their contracts will be restored.
The ministry also clarified that Umrah pilgrims who already have valid visas or confirmed bookings will not be affected. Services for them will continue as usual.
Officials said the move is part of efforts to ensure agencies follow approved rules and meet performance standards.
The ministry stressed that protecting the rights of Umrah pilgrims and ensuring smooth services remain top priorities.
Ministry spokesperson Ghassan Alnwaimi said agencies that fail to address the issues within the deadline will face further regulatory action. He added that regular monitoring and evaluations will continue to improve the credibility of the Umrah sector and protect pilgrims’ rights.
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