Umrah visa crackdown: Saudi suspends 1,800 agencies, new visa issuance put on hold; What pilgrims should know

Saudi regulations require Umrah travel operators to be officially licensed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Pilgrims are ...
Khaleej Times

Saudi suspends 1,800 Umrah agencies: UAE operators urge pilgrims to follow approved plans

According to Umrah operators in the UAE, Saudi Arabia now tracks pilgrims from arrival to exit. This includes visa details, ...

Saudi Arabia Suspends Agreements of 1,800 Foreign Umrah Travel Agencies

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended agreements with 1,800 foreign travel agencies over Umrah-related violations and halted ...

Businesses fear blowback from Saudi-UAE rift

The rift over Yemen and other regional issues triggered the biggest rupture in years between the Gulf’s powerhouses. Analysts ...
TechJuice

Saudi Arabia Makes Biometric Verification Mandatory for Hajj Visas

The Saudi government mandates biometric verification for Hajj visas. Use the 'Saudi Visa Bio' app or visit Tasheer Centres ...
Skift

What the Saudi Arabia-Russia Visa Exemption Means for Travelers and Regional Tourism

Saudi-Russia relations are no longer defined only by oil. Flight expansions and visa deals show the partnership widening into travel and tourism, giving both countries new levers of influence beyond ...
saudigazette

Saudi Arabia, India agree on mutual short-stay visa exemption

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia and India have signed an agreement for the mutual exemption from short-stay visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special, and official passports of both countries. On ...

Saudi Arabia suspends 1,800 foreign travel agencies over Umrah service violations

Saudi Arabia's Hajj and Umrah Ministry has suspended 1,800 foreign travel agencies due to service quality issues. This move, affecting nearly a third of global operators, aims to enhance pilgrim ...