In a significant regulatory move, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended approximately 1,800 international travel agencies from operating in the Umrah pilgrimage sector. The decision, announced on Sunday, February 1, 2026, affects nearly one-third of the 5,800 agencies currently authorized to facilitate pilgrim visits.
The suspension follows comprehensive performance evaluations that identified substantial deficiencies in service quality and operational standards. Affected agencies have been granted a ten-day grace period to rectify identified shortcomings and demonstrate compliance with approved requirements.
Ministry spokesperson Ghassan Alnwaimi clarified that the suspension applies exclusively to new visa processing, ensuring no disruption for pilgrims holding valid visas or existing bookings. All services for current visitors will continue without interruption throughout the regulatory process.
This initiative represents part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to enhance reliability within the Umrah sector through rigorous monitoring and evaluation protocols. The ministry has emphasized its commitment to safeguarding pilgrim rights while maintaining the spiritual journey’s integrity.
Agencies that successfully address performance issues within the designated timeframe will have their contracts reinstated. Those failing to meet compliance standards by the deadline will face further regulatory action, potentially including permanent revocation of operating privileges.
The regulatory crackdown reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to modernize pilgrimage management systems while ensuring high-quality service delivery for the millions of Muslims undertaking Umrah journeys annually.