The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has implemented a new regulation requiring all international Umrah pilgrims to secure confirmed hotel reservations through the official Nusuk Masar platform prior to obtaining a visa.
This directive, effective from June 10, 2025 (14 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH), applies to all foreign nationals intending to perform Umrah.
Nusuk Masar, now established as the Kingdom’s unified digital portal for pilgrimage services, facilitates the booking, confirmation, and management of pilgrimage permits. In addition, it provides multilingual educational content to support pilgrims throughout their journey.
Under the updated policy, all Umrah service providers—including domestic companies, establishments, and international agents—must arrange accommodation exclusively in hotels licensed by the Ministry of Tourism. Furthermore, all contractual agreements related to lodging must be formally documented and submitted electronically via the Nusuk Masar platform before any visa can be issued.
According to the Ministry, this measure is designed to uphold the rights of pilgrims, improve accommodation standards, and ensure a more organized and seamless pilgrimage experience. The decision also aims to reinforce professionalism in service provision and ensure that all pilgrims are accommodated in officially approved facilities.
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