RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has announced a new policy for Umrah pilgrims, introducing a series of updated requirements aimed at improving services, enhancing oversight and integrating pilgrimage arrangements through a modern digital system.
The new regulations have been issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and will come into effect in stages starting from 1 Rabi al-Awwal. These regulations are meant to help pilgrims get better services while organizing all travel arrangements through a unified digital system.
As per the new guidelines, hotel bookings along with travel vouchers will not be enough for acquiring an Umrah visa; pilgrims will now be required to also furnish food vouchers along with visa. According to authorities, a minimum of food vouchers worth 20 Saudi riyals per day would be compulsory.
The whole system will be run through the platform of Nusuk, where booking of hotels, travel arrangements, food facilities along with all other services for pilgrimage would be organized through a single online platform.
The new policy will initially apply to the Umrah pilgrims coming from Pakistan, India, Egypt and Bangladesh.
According to the Saudi officials, nearly 10,000 restaurants in Makkah and Madinah have been connected to the Nusuk platform ensuring safe and quality food services for pilgrims during their entire stay period.
It was mentioned by the ministry that Umrah companies, hotels, transportation agencies, and food service providers were allocated particular roles in order to provide seamless services from their arrival until departure.
The Saudi officials mentioned that the new measures are aimed at improving transparency and quality of services as well as establishing monitoring mechanisms. This step comes after last year actions against some companies violating the rules of Umrah as well as the penalties imposed on them.
All newly licensed Umrah operators have been connected to the Nusuk system now.
