A representative from a licensed tourism company stated that recent talk about a crisis or difficulty in obtaining Umrah visas does not reflect reality, affirming that visas are still being issued normally and regularly. However, he emphasized that to obtain a visa, one must deal exclusively with tourism companies licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, in accordance with the official regulations in place.
He explained that these visas are issued as part of comprehensive programs organized by the company, which cover all aspects of the Umrah journey—from visa issuance, to accommodation in Saudi Arabia, internal transportation, and the provision of necessary logistical and religious services. He pointed out that these programs are under direct supervision by the companies to ensure service quality and compliance with the standards set by the relevant authorities.
He added that the primary purpose of these visas is solely to perform the Umrah pilgrimage and that under no circumstances should they be used for other purposes such as job searching or staying in the Kingdom for extended periods outside the defined program. He stressed that violating this regulation could result in severe legal consequences from Saudi authorities.
The official also warned against attempts by certain individuals or unofficial offices to promote individual or so-called “free visas,” which are not subject to any regulatory oversight. He confirmed that dealing with such entities could expose citizens to serious problems, including being denied entry into Saudi Arabia or facing legal repercussions there—especially in light of the new procedures the Kingdom has begun implementing to monitor the movement of Umrah pilgrims more closely.
He noted that licensed companies are making significant efforts to streamline the process for those wishing to perform Umrah and to offer a variety of programs suitable for different groups. He urged citizens to be cautious in their decision-making and to ensure they are dealing with officially licensed and Ministry-approved entities.
In a related context, Hamza Anabi, a member of the Egyptian Federation of Tourism Chambers, stated that companies are still awaiting the official announcement of airline ticket prices for the 2025–2026 Umrah season. He noted that all currently proposed programs do not include airfare, in order to ensure transparency and give citizens the opportunity to review the actual cost of the trip before making a booking decision.
Anabi clarified that separating the ticket cost from the programs at this stage aims to avoid the impact of constantly fluctuating airline prices, which could unexpectedly affect the total cost of the packages.
