UAE's New Umrah Rules: Pre-booking Required

New Umrah Rules for UAE Departures: Pre-booking Mandatory

One of the most significant forms of pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, the Umrah, now demands greater organization and preparation from believers residing in the United Arab Emirates. As per the new regulations introduced by Saudi authorities, it is now essential to pre-book accommodation and transportation to apply for an Umrah visa. This change aims to facilitate smoother conduct of pilgrimages and displace illegal service providers, while emphasizing the role of digital platforms.

Pre-booking: No longer just recommended, now mandatory

According to travel agencies involved in organizing pilgrimages, the crux of the latest rules is that at the time of visa application, pilgrims must also validate their accommodation and transportation bookings. This means that an Umrah visa will only be valid if the pilgrim already possesses a pre-booked hotel room and an officially approved mode of transportation, be it a taxi or using the high-speed Haramain Express railway line.

Saudi authorities are closely monitoring entries at Jeddah and Madinah airports, permitting only those pilgrims who have the required bookings. Although the pilgrims themselves are not fined, the Umrah aggregators serving them may face fines, system blockages, or suspension of their licenses.

Crackdown on illegal service providers

The regulation is also motivated by Saudi Arabia's long-term goal to eliminate illegal taxi and accommodation services that annually exploit the pilgrims' lack of information. Therefore, the authorities only accept services booked through the Nusuk platform and verify their presence upon entry into the country.

The Haramain Express, which operates between Jeddah and Makkah, as well as Madinah, can also only be used with a pre-purchased ticket. The illegal transportation often found around stations could become a thing of the past if the rules are consistently enforced.

Digital integration: Masar and Nusuk systems

As part of the new regulation, Saudi Arabia has significantly digitalized the Umrah permit processes. From now on, it is mandatory during the visa application to provide accommodation and transportation booking information in the Masar system, accessible by pilgrims through the Nusuk application. Hotels must be registered in the Hajj and Umrah authorities' records, and transportation companies must also be officially approved.

This system ensures that every travel detail is real and traceable, further contributing to the safety and predictability of the pilgrimage. The pre-approvals serve not only the authorities' interests but also those of the pilgrims.

Important warning: Do not attempt with a tourist visa

While many try to bypass the visa procedures by attempting to undertake an Umrah pilgrimage with a tourist visa, this practice is now officially prohibited. The new rules clearly state that performing Umrah is only permitted with a visa issued for this purpose. Those arriving without this type of entry pass not only cannot enter sacred sites like Riyaz ul Jannah but may also be denied entry to the country.

Costs and booking recommendations

According to current information, the base price of an Umrah visa in the UAE starts at approximately 750 dirhams, but this amount may vary depending on citizenship. This is in addition to accommodation, airfare, and transportation costs, which can no longer be treated separately as they must be submitted together with the visa.

Travel agencies operating in the UAE advise that pilgrims precisely plan their journey even before applying for the visa. They should book their accommodation, purchase Haramain Express tickets, and only then initiate the official visa process.

Why is all this important?

The regulation clearly steers the Umrah pilgrimage towards greater organization. It reduces congestion at airports, excludes illegal service providers, and ensures that pilgrims' arrivals, stays, and movements are well-monitored and organized. This is particularly important for faithful believers, for whom, alongside the spiritual significance of Umrah, physical comfort and safety are also paramount.

Summary

From now on, anyone wishing to participate in an Umrah pilgrimage departing from the UAE must pre-book every detail: accommodation, transportation, and visa—all recorded in an integrated system. The change is not just a technical modification; it is also a crucial tool for enhancing the pilgrimage experience. Pre-booking is now not an option but a fundamental requirement. By following the rules, we can not only ease our own travel but also contribute to developing a safer and cleaner pilgrimage system.

(The article source is a statement from the United Arab Emirates Umrah operators.)