Umrah Visa Alert: Hotel Booking Now Essential

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ushered in a significant change for international Umrah pilgrims, announcing that as of June 10, 2025 (14 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH), no Umrah visa will be issued without a pre-documented and approved housing contract through the "Nusuk Masar" digital platform. This pivotal move by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah aims to elevate the pilgrim experience, ensure high-quality accommodation, and streamline the entire journey.

Mandatory Licensed Accommodation:

Under the new directive, all Umrah service providers, including companies, establishments, and foreign agents, are now required to secure accommodation for pilgrims exclusively in hotels licensed by the Ministry of Tourism. Critically, all such contracts must be electronically documented on the Nusuk Masar platform before the Umrah visa can be issued. This ensures that every pilgrim has a verified and compliant place to stay upon arrival in the Kingdom.

Protecting Pilgrim Rights and Enhancing Services:

The Ministry emphasized that this decision is primarily aimed at safeguarding the rights of pilgrims and enhancing the professionalism of service delivery. "The new decision aims to enhance the professionalism of service delivery, improve the experience for both visitors and Umrah performers, and guarantee that pilgrims stay in licensed, compliant facilities," a Ministry statement affirmed. This proactive measure is set to combat issues like housing fraud, overbooking, and subpar accommodation that have historically affected pilgrims.

Nusuk Masar: The Centralized Gateway:

The Nusuk Masar platform, already established as Saudi Arabia’s centralized digital gateway for pilgrimage services, is at the heart of this transformation. It empowers pilgrims to book, confirm, and manage their permits, and offers essential educational resources in multiple languages. By integrating accommodation booking directly into the visa application process, the platform further solidifies its role in providing a secure, seamless, and integrated pilgrimage experience. Service providers are strongly advised to document contracts promptly, with warnings of potential visa delays or regulatory penalties for non-compliance.

Impact on Umrah Costs:

While the Umrah visa itself remains free of charge, the new requirement for pre-booked, licensed accommodation through Nusuk Masar may indirectly influence the overall cost of performing Umrah. Previously, some pilgrims might have opted for more informal or unverified housing arrangements, which may have been cheaper. Now, with the mandatory booking through officially licensed hotels and the Nusuk Masar platform, pilgrims are assured of quality accommodation, but this might mean an increase in the accommodation component of their Umrah package.

Umrah packages, which typically include visa, accommodation, transportation, and other services, will now invariably feature verified hotel bookings. Therefore, while there isn't a direct "visa cost increase," the total expenditure for an Umrah journey is likely to reflect the cost of these assured and licensed accommodation services. Pilgrims should anticipate that economy packages might start from around 800 SAR (approximately USD 213) and premium packages could go up to 6,500 SAR (approximately USD 1,733) or more, depending on the inclusions and level of service, as reported by various sources. The exact cost will depend on the duration of stay, the star rating and proximity of the hotel to the Holy Mosques, and other services included in the package.

Alignment with Vision 2030:

This strategic policy aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals, which prioritize the transformation and advancement of the Kingdom's religious hospitality sector. By leveraging digital technology and setting higher standards for services, the government is committed to providing a more secure, seamless, and dignified pilgrimage experience for millions of Muslims worldwide.

The new Umrah season officially launched last week, with technical and operational preparations completed in coordination with various government entities to ensure a smooth start and minimize any disruptions for incoming pilgrims. Pilgrims are advised to apply through authorized travel agents or directly via the Nusuk e-visa platform, ensuring all passport and health documents are ready, including the mandatory meningococcal meningitis vaccination.