Saudi Arabia Makes Hotel Booking Mandatory for Umrah Visa from June 10, 2025
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has introduced a major change for international pilgrims. Starting June 10, 2025, foreign pilgrims will not be issued an Umrah visa unless they have a confirmed hotel reservation through the official “Nusuk Masar” digital platform.
This new regulation aims to improve the overall pilgrimage experience and ensure that all visitors stay in approved and reliable accommodations. According to the Ministry, this rule is now compulsory for all pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom.
Hotel Booking Now a Must for Umrah Visa
According to the new policy, pilgrims are required to reserve accommodations exclusively in hotels that have been approved by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism. All arrangements must be made by authorized Umrah agents, travel agencies, or companies. These bookings must then be digitally verified and submitted via the Nusuk Masar portal before visa applications can proceed.
This new step is designed to tackle past problems such as fake bookings, hotel fraud, and overbooking, which have caused inconvenience to many pilgrims.
Enhancing the Pilgrim Experience
In a statement issued through the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Ministry explained that this policy will help improve the quality and safety of services provided to Umrah pilgrims. The goal is to ensure that every pilgrim has access to clean, safe, and properly licensed accommodation.
The Ministry has urged all service providers to immediately upload verified hotel contracts, warning that non-compliance may lead to visa processing delays or even penalties.
A Move Aligned with Vision 2030
This new policy supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which focuses on developing and modernizing the country’s religious and tourism sectors. The Nusuk Masar platform plays a key role in this transformation by offering a centralized digital hub for all pilgrimage-related services.
The platform allows pilgrims to book hotels, manage travel documents, and access educational materials in multiple languages, helping them prepare for their spiritual journey more effectively.
Final Thoughts
The Saudi government’s latest decision marks a significant shift in how Umrah arrangements are handled. From June 10, 2025, no Umrah visa will be issued without a pre-approved hotel booking through the Nusuk Masar platform. This initiative is expected to raise service standards, increase transparency, and ensure a smoother experience for millions of Muslims visiting the Kingdom each year for Umrah.
