Saudi Arabia Bans Umrah Visas Without Approved Hotel Bookings

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a new regulation requiring all international pilgrims to book approved accommodations through the “Nusuk Masar” digital platform before applying for an Umrah visa.

Starting June 10, 2025, Umrah visas will only be issued to foreign pilgrims whose lodging arrangements have been documented and verified through the Nusuk Masar system, the Ministry announced.

As part of the revised policy, all Umrah service providers—including authorized agents, companies, and establishments—must ensure that accommodations are booked exclusively in hotels licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism. These bookings must be digitally validated and submitted via Nusuk Masar before the visa process begins.

To improve service standards and enrich the pilgrim experience, housing documentation through Nusuk Masar is now required for all 1447H Umrah visa issuances.#Ease_And_Tranquility pic.twitter.com/LVKaghP0E9

— Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) June 14, 2025

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the regulation applies to all pilgrims traveling from outside the Kingdom.

In its official statement, the Ministry explained that the move is intended to raise the standards of service, enhance the overall pilgrim experience, and ensure that visitors are staying in legally compliant and high-quality accommodations.

The policy introduces tighter controls to combat fraudulent housing arrangements and address ongoing issues such as overbooking and substandard lodging. Service providers have been advised to submit the necessary documents promptly, as non-compliance may result in visa processing delays or potential penalties.

This initiative is part of a broader collaboration between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Tourism, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to modernize and elevate its religious tourism sector.

The Nusuk Masar platform functions as the Kingdom’s centralized digital system for pilgrimage services, offering tools for booking, verification, and management of pilgrimage-related permits. It also provides multilingual resources to assist pilgrims throughout their journey.