Umrah News Summary, 17 June 2026

This article is correct as of 2026-06-25.

Three developments this week matter if you’re planning Umrah in the coming months. Saudi Arabia suspended 21 Umrah service companies over poor performance and regulatory violations. The new Umrah season is now open with visa issuance running since 31 May. And the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched a digital platform for qualifying and contracting external agents, which changes how overseas travel agencies get approved to handle Umrah bookings.

21 Umrah service companies suspended

On 13-14 June 2026, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah suspended 21 Umrah service companies after performance evaluations from the previous season found serious shortcomings [1].

Of the 21 companies, 15 were suspended for low performance scores on approved evaluation indicators and 6 were suspended for regulatory breaches requiring corrective measures. The ministry said the move is part of early preparations for the upcoming Umrah season and stressed there is “zero tolerance for shortcomings that affect service standards or the rights of Umrah performers” [1].

If you booked through an agent for the current season, check whether your provider is affected. The ministry hasn’t published a public list of the suspended companies, but your agent should inform you if their license has been suspended. If you’re booking now for the coming months, ask your provider directly whether they were subject to any ministry action during the last evaluation cycle.

This isn’t an isolated action. Saudi Arabia has been tightening enforcement across the Umrah sector for several seasons now. In September 2023, the ministry suspended 1,800 foreign Umrah agencies after a broader review [2]. The current round targets service quality specifically, a signal that the evaluation system is getting more serious and operators who cut corners this season should expect consequences.

The ministry’s evaluation system uses operational and supervisory benchmarks designed to measure service quality and compliance. The goal, as stated by the ministry, is to strengthen competition, raise standards, and support the safer pilgrimage experience that Vision 2030 promises. For DIY travellers who book through agencies, this is good news: it means the floor for minimum service quality is being raised, and the worst operators are being forced out.

New Umrah season is open: key dates and changes

The Umrah season for 1448 AH officially began on 31 May 2026 (14 Dhul Hijjah 1447), when Saudi Arabia started issuing Umrah visas again after the annual Hajj-season closure [3].

Pilgrims can now enter Makkah and obtain Umrah permits through the Nusuk application, starting from 1 June 2026. Here are the key dates to know:

• Umrah visa issuance: 31 May 2026 to 9 March 2027
• Nusuk permit activation: from 1 June 2026
• Final departure date for all Umrah pilgrims: 7 April 2027 (Shawwal 30, 1448)

Several rule changes implemented earlier in 2026 remain in effect and are worth knowing if you’re applying now:

• Umrah visa entry validity is now 30 days from issuance, with a 3-month stay period after entry [4]. Don’t apply months in advance, the clock starts when the visa is issued, not when you travel.
• Confirmed hotel and transport bookings through the Nusuk platform are mandatory for visa applications [5]. Agents can no longer submit placeholder or unconfirmed bookings.
• The Nusuk app received an update on 9 June 2026, though user reports from May flagged issues with repeated verification code requests and the app defaulting to Arabic even when English is selected [6]. Test the app before you travel, don’t leave it until the airport.

Masar Nusuk: digital contracting for external agents

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched a new digital service through the Masar Nusuk platform in mid-May 2026 for qualifying external agents and finalising contracts for the upcoming Umrah season [7].

This matters for DIY travellers because it changes how your local travel agency gets approved. Previously, the agent qualification process involved manual submissions and slower turnaround. Masar Nusuk digitises the entire qualification and contracting workflow, which should reduce the number of unqualified agents operating in the market. When you’re comparing agencies, ask whether they’ve completed their Masar Nusuk qualification for the 1448 AH season. If they haven’t, or they don’t know what you’re talking about, that’s a red flag.

What this means if you’re planning Umrah

If you’re booking in the next few weeks, you’re entering the early phase of the new season. This is generally a good window, fewer crowds than Ramadan or school holidays, and the weather in Makkah and Madinah is hot but manageable with planning. June through August temperatures in Makkah regularly hit 45°C, so book accommodation close to the Haram to minimise walking, and schedule your tawaf for early morning or after isha.

When choosing an agent or service provider, here’s a practical checklist for this season:

• Ask whether they passed the last ministry evaluation. A provider who can discuss their standing openly is likely legitimate.
• Confirm their Masar Nusuk qualification for 1448 AH. This is new this season and not every agent will be compliant yet.
• Get a clear breakdown of what’s included. Transport between Jeddah and Makkah is sometimes excluded from packages, ask explicitly.
• Test your Nusuk app login and permit booking before you travel. Don’t wait until you’re standing at the airport.
• Check that your ACWY meningitis vaccination is valid. The quadrivalent vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before arrival and within the last 5 years for conjugate or 3 years for polysaccharide [8].

The enforcement actions this week signal that Saudi Arabia is serious about service quality. That’s good for pilgrims long-term, but in the short term it means you need to be more selective about who you book with. A suspended company won’t advertise that fact, you have to ask.

Notes

1. [1] Gulf News, “Saudi Arabia suspends 21 Umrah service firms over violations,” gulfnews.com, 14 June 2026.
2. [2] Gulf News, “1,800 Umrah agencies suspended by Hajj Ministry,” gulfnews.com, September 2023.
3. [3] Saudi Gazette via Instagram, “Saudi Arabia starts issuing Umrah visas for the new season,” 31 May 2026.
4. [4] Muslim’s Holy Travel, “Umrah visa rule changes 2026,” muslimsholytravel.co.uk (accessed 17 June 2026).
5. [5] Umrah Companions, “Transport and hotel booking requirements via Nusuk,” umrahcompanions.com (accessed 17 June 2026).
6. [6] Google Play Store / Apple App Store, Nusuk app user reviews, May-June 2026.
7. [7] Gulf News, “Masar Nusuk platform launched to streamline Umrah,” gulfnews.com, May 2026.
8. [8] Turkish Airlines / Saudi Ministry of Health, “Umrah vaccination requirements,” moh.gov.sa (accessed 17 June 2026).

Correct as of 17 June 2026.

Related UmrahDIY guides: Before booking through an agent, confirm the documents required before applying for an Umrah visa. For Nusuk setup instructions, see our Nusuk app setup guide.