JEDDAH, 24 June — The Sudanese Haj and Umrah Authority has begun enforcing new regulations governing Umrah traffic to Saudi Arabia. Under the new measures only authorized companies will provide the services and travel and other expenses will go down by 40 percent.
Officials at the Saudi Ministry of Haj said they expected Umrah traffic from various parts of the world to begin in earnest this week as more countries familiarize themselves with the new rules. Some 100,000 pilgrims could arrive in a week or two, they added.
Sudanese Minister of Guidance and Endowments Dr. Esam Ahmad Al-Bashir, said from now on people wishing to travel to the Kingdom for Umrah must approach certified service companies and travel agents.
Under the new regulations outlined by the Sudanese media, the fee for processing Umrah documents in the country has been slashed by 40 percent while travel expenses by air and sea were reduced by 30 percent.
Sudanese companies providing Umrah services will be asked to deposit a guarantee for $80,000. The money will be refunded only when the ministry is convinced that the services provided have met the standards set by the government, the officials said.
Pilgrims coming to the Kingdom under the new Umrah regulations which came into effect two months ago can stay up to one month and will have greater freedom of movement within the country. Umrah pilgrims were allowed to stay only up to 15 days until last year.
Saudi laws restrict the services inside the Kingdom to companies licensed by the Ministry of Haj. Until now some 200 companies have been issued licenses to operate. The minimum capital set for the business is SR500,000 with the companies required to produce a bank guarantee of SR200,000 to the ministry.
Umrah visitors must possess a draft issued by an authorized bank in the name of the agent in addition to a return ticket. The services include receiving the pilgrims on arrival, arranging for their transportation, looking after their comfort throughout their stay and providing medical services.
The Sudanese minister cautioned the pilgrims against overstaying their visa period in violation of the Kingdom’s immigration laws. He said the local agents who fail to provide the required services or show laxity in enforcing the rules will face action, he said.
