Dubai: Pilgrims from the UAE planning to perform Umrah will now be required to pre-book their accommodation and transport as part of new regulations introduced by Saudi authorities, as per a report by the Khaleej Times.
According to travel companies, the rule has been implemented to streamline pilgrim movement and ensure greater compliance with laws governing religious travel. Operators in the UAE have begun advising applicants to secure their hotel and transportation bookings at the time of applying for their Umrah visas.
The move is expected to improve coordination, reduce crowd-related issues, and provide a more organized travel experience for pilgrims. Industry experts say the regulation will also help authorities monitor pilgrim activities more effectively while ensuring services are delivered as promised by licensed operators.
With thousands of UAE residents traveling to Saudi Arabia each year for Umrah, travel agencies are now urging early planning to avoid last-minute challenges under the revised system.
