No Umrah visa without approved hotel booking on Nusuk Masar

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that, beginning with the new Umrah season, no international pilgrim will be granted an Umrah visa without first documenting their housing contracts through the “Nusuk Masar” digital platform.

The new requirement, which came into effect on June 10, 2025 (14 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH), mandates that all Umrah service providers companies, establishments, and foreign agents, secure accommodation for pilgrims exclusively in hotels licensed by the Ministry of Tourism. All contracts must be electronically documented on the Nusuk Masar platform before visa issuance.

The move aims to protect pilgrims’ rights, ensure high-quality accommodation, and streamline the overall journey. “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,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The policy also introduces a layer of regulatory oversight intended to prevent housing fraud and address longstanding concerns about accommodation quality and overbooking. Service providers are urged to document contracts promptly, with the Ministry warning that failure to comply could result in visa delays or regulatory penalties.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, emphasized that this directive supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of transforming the Kingdom’s religious hospitality sector. From leveraging digital technology to setting higher standards for service, the government aims to provide a more secure, seamless, and integrated pilgrimage experience.

The Nusuk Masar platform, which has become the Kingdom’s centralized digital gateway for pilgrimage services, enables pilgrims to book, confirm, and manage their permits, while also offering educational resources in multiple languages.

Technical and operational preparations for the new Umrah season, which officially launched last week, were completed in coordination with other government entities to ensure a smooth start and minimize disruptions.

Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE