Hajj Ministry Steps Up Daily Umrah Service Inspections

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is carrying out daily inspection tours across Umrah service sites, working with other authorities to check accommodation facilities, service companies, providers, and operational locations for compliance and to fix any shortcomings quickly.

Since the start of the 1448 AH Umrah season on 15 Dhu Al-Hijjah 1447 AH, the ministry has conducted more than 32,000 inspection tours. During the last Hajj season it carried out over 105,000 tours covering pilgrims' accommodation, providers' offices, and field service centres, while more than 70,000 field inspections were logged during Hajj 2025 across camps, central kitchens, and operational facilities.

How providers are evaluated

The ministry applies an annual evaluation framework for external pilgrim service providers, updated after each Hajj season. It weighs compliance and adherence at 60% and quality of service performance at 40%.

Enforcement has been active. In 2026, the ministry suspended 21 Umrah companies following inspections and performance reviews — 15 for low performance scores and 6 for regulatory violations requiring legal and corrective steps. In February 2026, contracts with 1,800 foreign travel agencies were suspended after serious gaps were found in accommodation, transport, and visa processing, with a 10-day window to correct issues; the suspension applied to new visa issuance and contract renewals, while pilgrims with valid visas and confirmed bookings continued to be served. In August 2026, three Saudi Umrah companies were suspended for failing to provide accommodation in line with approved contractual programmes.

The Ministry of Tourism has added more than 19,000 inspection visits to hospitality and temporary accommodation facilities in Makkah and Madinah — around 11,000 in Makkah, over 5,000 in Madinah, and 3,000 for temporary housing — to assess readiness for the 2026 Hajj season.

For residents and expats planning Umrah, the message is clear: services are being monitored closely, and pilgrims should rely only on the ministry's official electronic portal for bookings and information.

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