Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to expand the number of licensed companies authorized to offer services to overseas pilgrims for the 2024Haj season, local media reported.
Under the new regulations, the licenses will be valid for a period of five years, and the estimated fee for both obtaining and renewing these licenses stands at 100,000 Saudi riyals.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is also considering a transparent evaluation mechanism for the licensed companies. They intend to release annual reports through appropriate media channels to ensure that pilgrims and their representatives are well-informed about the performance and credibility of these service providers.
One noteworthy aspect of the licensing draft is that it grants the ministry the authority to suspend licenses and adjust the number of licensed pilgrims as needed to maintain the highest standards of service.
To qualify for these licenses, companies must possess a valid trade register and have a minimum Saudi capital of 500,000 Saudi riyals, which should be sufficient to cater to up to 10,000 pilgrims. Additionally, the director-general of these companies must be a Saudi national, at least 25 years old, hold a secondary school degree, and possess prior experience in providing pilgrim services.
Also,, to ensure the integrity of the service providers, the director, board chairman, and board members of these companies should not have faced penalties in the form of service license revocations by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Saudi Arabia has also announced early preparations for the upcoming Haj season, with a notable change being the absence of specific allocations for countries at Saudi holy sites. This development reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to providing equal access and opportunities for all pilgrims during this religious journey..