In a significant coverage shift to reinforce the Umrah expertise and shield the rights of pilgrims, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced that no Umrah visa will probably be issued to worldwide pilgrims with out prior affirmation and documentation of lodge bookings by way of the “Nusuk Masar” platform. This new rule got here into impact on June 10, 2025 (14 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH). The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah made the announcement by means of its official channels, together with an official put up on X (previously Twitter). In response to a report by the Saudi Press Company (SPA), the choice applies to all pilgrims arriving from overseas and mandates that lodging have to be booked solely in lodges licensed by the Ministry of Tourism. All contracts have to be electronically submitted and authorized by means of the Nusuk Masar digital platform, the centralized portal for managing all pilgrimage-related companies.
Goals of the Coverage and Authorities’s Imaginative and prescient
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah clarified that this transfer is meant to:
- Defend the rights of pilgrims
- Get rid of unauthorized and fraudulent housing practices
- Stop overbooking
- Guarantee a excessive normal of lodging
- Streamline the pilgrimage journey for Umrah guests
In an official assertion, the Ministry stated:“The brand new choice goals to reinforce the professionalism of service supply, enhance the expertise for each guests and Umrah performers, and assure that pilgrims keep in licensed, compliant amenities.” The initiative is a part of broader efforts to align with Saudi Arabia’s Imaginative and prescient 2030, which seeks to rework the Kingdom’s spiritual hospitality sector by integrating digital innovation and imposing greater service requirements. This coverage additionally displays shut cooperation between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Tourism, each of that are working collectively to make sure a safe, seamless, and controlled pilgrimage expertise for all.
Function of the Nusuk Masar Platform
The Nusuk Masar platform is a key part of this regulatory overhaul. It serves because the official digital gateway for managing pilgrimage-related companies and documentation. By way of the platform, pilgrims and repair suppliers can:
- E book and make sure lodging in Ministry-approved lodges
- Add and confirm housing contracts
- Handle permits and logistics associated to Umrah
- Entry academic supplies in a number of languages
This centralized strategy ensures higher coordination, sooner processing, and a extra dependable expertise for pilgrims and repair brokers alike.
Strict Enforcement and Compliance Measures
The Ministry has issued a powerful advisory to Umrah service suppliers, together with:
- Licensed firms
- Licensed institutions
- Overseas brokers
All events should guarantee swift documentation and full compliance with the brand new directive. The Ministry warned that delays or failure to submit housing contracts by means of Nusuk Masar might result in visa rejections, processing delays, or regulatory penalties. This push can also be meant to get rid of earlier complaints associated to substandard lodging, fraudulent bookings, and last-minute cancellations, points which have affected the standard of service for a lot of previous pilgrims.With the 2025 Umrah season underway, Saudi Arabia’s new regulation represents a decisive effort to enhance pilgrims’ security and luxury. Past guaranteeing high quality lodging, the coverage strengthens total coordination amongst service suppliers and helps the Kingdom’s broader imaginative and prescient of elevating spiritual hospitality by combining custom with superior digital and regulatory measures.
