All Umrah companies and establishments must adhere to the services controls' document of the pilgrims

The Hajj and Umrah Ministry has emphasized that in the new Umrah season of 1445 AH, all Umrah businesses and establishments must comply with the services controls' document of pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque who are arriving from outside Saudi Arabia. The treaty stipulates that pilgrims under the age of 18 must go with a partner. The reservation of contracted services should be included in the program, as long as they contain the essential necessary services for issuing the Umrah permit, which are the residence location, transit inside Saudi Arabia, insurance, and ground services.

The program's duration must be commensurate with the pilgrims' real residence term within the Kingdom, provided that the validity of the residency (Iqama) does not exceed 90 days from the day of entry into Saudi Arabia, or a maximum of 29/11/1445 AH. The paper categorises newly licenced enterprises and institutions, which have reached 350 and may reach 550 by the end of the next two weeks, into three categories (A, B, and C) based on their numerical contributions during the previous two years.

Companies and establishments that were licenced for the first time and are in category C have the right to upgrade to a higher classification based on their numerical inputs during the first 90-day operational term. Except for the firms and establishments in category A, the categorised companies are required to input the appropriate numbers in order to transfer to a higher classification.

Companies in categories B and C that did not meet the requisite numbers would be unable to continue entering new numbers, save for what is based on its actual inputs during this season, according to the entrance and exit system that was in place late last season. This obligates them to let 75% of the pilgrims who are now within Saudi Arabia depart to their respective countries, after which they will be permitted to enter fresh numbers. This categorization will help to improve the contributions of rising establishments and enterprises while also lowering the prices of Umrah programmes to reach new numbers.

The document also requires Umrah firms to make a genuine reservation to conduct Umrah or worship in the Prophet's Mosque using the Nusuk app, in accordance with the pilgrims' programme, after granting the visa.

It should be noted that the permits on the Nusuk app are approved and active permits unless the pilgrim's entry into Saudi Arabia has not been proven within 6 hours of the commencement of the permit; otherwise, the permit will be automatically cancelled. If the pilgrims' programme has been changed, the prior permits in the Nusuk app should be erased and re-issued in line with the current programme dates.

It is important to enter the pre-readiness data at least 24 hours before the arrival of pilgrims. Companies must comply by asking for buses through grouping orders from and to land, sea, and airports, as well as those in between cities. Companies should ensure that the grouping orders are in compliance with the most recent update to the pilgrim's programme. If a single group of Umrah pilgrims arrives in numerous batches and at different times, the businesses must follow the established regulations of the General Syndicate of Cars (GSC) in this respect.

Furthermore, the firms are responsible for the pilgrims' transportation and services throughout Saudi Arabia once the contractual programme ends. Also, prior to the termination of the visa's validity period. When they depart from Saudi Arabia and before boarding the plane, they must check for updates on the air carriers' regulations based on the pilgrim's nation, in case the airport officials did not allow the pilgrim to go. The pilgrims must be hosted by an authorised business.

Grouping and leading pilgrims from their residences to the Two Holy Mosques to conduct Umrah or for visiting purposes is required. Each group must have a leader based on the time and authorised programme, who is also responsible for any organisational violations and the repercussions that may ensue.

Companies and establishments are required to enter the data of pilgrims who wish to depart through the platform in the pre-entered grouping order, as well as print and give over a list of passengers' names on each bus to the driver. They must also direct the buses to the gathering centres to finish the departure procedure, as well as guarantee that the external agencies notify the pilgrims about the need of adhering to the norms and guides regarding not taking any forbidden goods upon their arrival. Companies should contact external agencies to guarantee that no illegal products are introduced, and they should inform pilgrims about the necessity of following customs disclosure regulations at ports of entry and exit.

The statement stated that it is critical for businesses and organisations to offer the required services for pilgrims while they are in Saudi Arabia, and that a representative must accompany pilgrims when they tour historical sites. The text also urged them to devise a strategy for gathering pilgrims in inclement weather to protect their safety.

In addition, to contact information, institutions and enterprises should be compelled to provide management and field cadres to serve pilgrims and introduce them to the electronic road. They are also requested to hire a number of representatives commensurate with the number of pilgrims and in line with what the Ministry approves.