Important Alert on New Umrah Visa Regulations: Everything You Need to Know
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has recently introduced significant changes to Umrah visa regulations to enhance the safety, comfort, and overall experience of pilgrims travelling to the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Aimah Tours Pvt. Ltd., India’s leading Hajj and Umrah services provider, is here to guide you through these crucial updates.
🚨 Strict Action Against Violations
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently took stringent regulatory actions against seven Umrah companies that violated transportation service agreements. These companies failed to provide transportation as per their approved service commitments, adversely impacting pilgrims.
As a corrective measure, the Ministry suspended these companies’ operations and liquidated their bank guarantees to finance alternative transportation arrangements. This decisive action underscores the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining high service standards and protecting pilgrims’ rights.
🏨 New Hotel Booking Regulations
Starting from the 14th of Dhul-Hijjah, 1447H, hotel bookings made through the official “Nusuk” platform have become mandatory for obtaining an Umrah visa. Pilgrims must ensure the following:
- Confirmed hotel reservations in Makkah and Madinah.
- Hotels must be licensed by the Civil Defense and the Saudi Tourism Authority.
- Reservation dates must match the pilgrim’s entry and exit dates.
- Hotels must secure electronic approval through Nusuk.
- Hotel bookings must be linked with the entire Umrah program.
Aimah Tours ensures seamless compliance with these guidelines by partnering exclusively with authorized and verified hotels, thereby guaranteeing hassle-free visa approval.
⚠️ Warning Against Fake Bookings
🚨 UMRAH VISA ALERT 🚨
Pilgrims should exercise extreme caution to avoid fake hotel and transportation bookings. Such fraudulent activities can lead to immediate visa rejection or serious legal consequences. Always choose a reliable and authorized agency like Aimah Tours, which is dedicated to transparent and verified bookings.
✅ Aimah Tours provides authentic and verified hotel reservations and transportation bookings to ensure your journey is worry-free.
🔄 Transition from Old to New Procedures
Old Procedure:
- Advance hotel bookings or transportation arrangements were not mandatory.
- Pilgrim movement was managed based on vouchers upon arrival.
New Procedure:
- Mandatory advance bookings for authorised hotels through the Nusuk platform.
- Transportation services must also be pre-booked.
- Complete details of movement and accommodation must be accurately entered into the system.
Aimah Tours efficiently manages this transition, ensuring that every pilgrim’s details are correctly documented to match practical movement and accommodation, thus avoiding any inconvenience.
🔍 Ministry Monitoring
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has intensified monitoring to maintain compliance with these new regulations:
- Physical hotel inspections to verify the presence of pilgrims.
- Tracking of intercity pilgrim movements for compliance validation.
By choosing Aimah Tours, pilgrims can rest assured that their entire journey—from accommodation to transportation—is managed impeccably, complying fully with the Ministry’s stringent monitoring processes.
📊 New Rules and Regulations for Umrah 1447 Hijri (2025/26)
For your convenience, here is a detailed comparison of the previous system and the new regulations issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah:
1️⃣ Visa Issuance
- ⛔ Previously: Only visa could be issued without other services.
- ✅ Now: Visa will not be issued alone; full package required.
2️⃣ Hotel Booking Duration
- ⛔ Previously: Booking for 1-2 nights was enough.
- ✅ Now: Hotel must be booked for the entire stay duration.
3️⃣ Hotel Authorisation
- ⛔ Previously: Booking at non-registered hotels was allowed.
- ✅ Now: Visa requires booking at registered, authorized hotels.
4️⃣ Transport Arrangements
- ⛔ Previously: Visa could be issued without transport.
- ✅ Now: Transport booking is mandatory for visa issuance.
5️⃣ Group Travel Requirement
- ⛔ Previously: Independent travel was allowed.
- ✅ Now: Solo travel is prohibited; group travel is mandatory.
6️⃣ Group Hotel Arrangement
- ⛔ Previously: Only transport or flight was common; hotels were booked individually.
- ✅ Now: All group members must stay in the same hotel.
7️⃣ Visa Fee Structure
- ⛔ Previously: Flat visa fee regardless of group size.
- ✅ Now: Visa fee depends on the number of passengers and vehicle category.
8️⃣ Children’s Visa
- ⛔ Previously: Hotel and transport charges were not mandatory for children.
- ✅ Now: Children’s visa will not be issued without hotel and transport booking.
9️⃣ Unified Voucher System
- ⛔ Previously: Individual vouchers for Makkah and Madinah.
- ✅ Now: Unified voucher covering entire group stay.
🔟 Flight Confirmation
- ⛔ Previously: A Visa could be issued based on a tentative ticket booking.
- ✅ Now: A confirmed ticket is required for visa issuance.
1️⃣1️⃣ Voucher Changes
- ⛔ Previously: Vouchers could be changed before or after travel.
- ✅ Now: No changes allowed once voucher is approved.
1️⃣2️⃣ Iqama Holders
- ⛔ Previously: Residents could stay with visiting relatives.
- ✅ Now: Iqama holders cannot stay in hotels with visiting pilgrims.
1️⃣3️⃣ Hotel Stay Restrictions
- ⛔ Previously: Alternative hotel stays allowed if listed in voucher.
- ✅ Now: The Stay must be at the exact hotel mentioned in the voucher.
⚠️ Compliance with these regulations is mandatory. Violations may result in heavy fines, company closures, and future visa bans. Any government-imposed charges will be additional.
Aimah Tours is fully compliant with these regulations and offers you complete, worry-free Umrah packages that fulfill every Saudi requirement.
📉 Impact on Umrah Agents and Companies
The new regulations have broader implications:
- Increased visa costs due to mandatory advance hotel and transport bookings.
- Accommodation limited to Ministry-authorized hotels.
- Smaller operators without authorized hotel partnerships may struggle to issue visas.
Aimah Tours, however, continues to provide competitive pricing and superior accommodation options due to established partnerships with approved hotels.
🚫 Consequences of Non-compliance
Companies failing to comply with the Ministry’s guidelines face severe repercussions:
- Suspension of operations
- Heavy financial penalties
- Potential ban on future Umrah visa issuance
Aimah Tours is committed to strict compliance, guaranteeing pilgrims an organized and dignified Umrah experience, free from disruptions or regulatory hurdles.
🎯 Ensuring Pilgrim Satisfaction
The overarching goal of these new regulations is to enhance pilgrims’ comfort, safety, and satisfaction. Aimah Tours fully supports and implements these standards, reaffirming our commitment to excellence and reliability in serving pilgrims.
📝 Final Advice
Always ensure:
- Your bookings are genuine and through authorized channels.
- Your chosen agency, like Aimah Tours, complies strictly with the Nusuk platform.
- All details match your travel plans exactly.
Aimah Tours is your trusted partner, dedicated to providing smooth, reliable, and spiritually fulfilling Umrah experiences.
👉 For hassle-free and compliant Umrah packages, contact Aimah Tours today!
Your pilgrimage, our responsibility. 🕋✨
