How to Start a Tourism Company for Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia

Starting a tourism company for Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia is not like launching a normal travel agency. You are dealing with regulated pilgrim services, strict platform rules, and government approvals.

The good news: if you build it the right way from day one, you can operate legally, scale faster, and avoid licensing issues.

This guide explains the steps in plain language.

What a Hajj and Umrah tourism company actually does

A company that specializes in Hajj and Umrah typically offers:

• Umrah packages (flights, hotels, transport, permits, guides, Ziyarah).
• Hajj packages (for eligible markets and under official channels).
• Ground services in Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah.
• Group logistics (arrivals, departures, movement schedules).
• Support services (call center, incident handling, pilgrim assistance).

Many of these activities fall under tourism licensing and also Hajj and Umrah specific regulation.

The two main licensing tracks you must plan for

Most Hajj and Umrah focused businesses need to think in two tracks:

• Ministry of Tourism track

Saudi’s Tourism Law says you must obtain a license or permit before engaging in tourism activities (as defined by regulations).

For travel and tourism services, the Ministry of Tourism has defined categories and requirements, including financial guarantees for certain categories. 

•  Ministry of Hajj and Umrah track

If you serve Umrah performers without the necessary license, you can face a fine up to SAR 100,000. Licensed entities that violate rules can face penalties such as fines, suspension, or license revocation. 

Also, Umrah operators may need to manage key steps through official platforms such as Nusuk business solutions (for reservations and permits based on the pilgrim program). 

How to start a Hajj and Umrah tourism company in Saudi Arabia

Choose your exact model

Before paperwork, define this clearly:

• Umrah only, year-round.
• Hajj only, seasonal and more restricted.
• Both Hajj and Umrah.
• B2C packages (selling directly) or B2B (serving overseas agents, corporates, or group organizers).
• Online only or office based.

This matters because your Commercial Registration activities, tourism license category, and operational approvals must match.

If you want a broader baseline first, read: How to Start a Tourism Business in Saudi Arabia.

Set your company structure and ownership plan

Most operators start as an LLC.

Saudi’s Ministry of Commerce explains the LLC setup service as a digital process that records the commercial registration and articles, publishes the contract, and connects you with key registrations such as HRSD, ZATCA, Social Insurance, SPL national address, and Chamber of Commerce.

If your ownership includes foreign shareholders, your structure may also require additional approvals depending on activity and setup route.

Related service if you need help structuring ownership: Local Sponsorship & Ownership Structuring.

Register the company and get your Commercial Registration

Your Commercial Registration must include tourism and travel activities that match your real business model.

This is one of the biggest reasons Hajj and Umrah businesses get delayed. The CR is correct, but the activity is not aligned with the tourism license category.

If you want a guided, end to end setup: Full Company Formation & Licensing.

Secure a compliant address and National Address

Saudi Post SPL states that the national address is a mandatory condition for all parties in Saudi Arabia, and businesses use it for electronic transactions with government agencies.

For most regulated licensing, having the correct address and documentation early prevents rework.

If you need an address solution, see: Business Address & Office Solutions.

Apply for the Travel and Tourism Services license

For most Hajj and Umrah companies, this is the licensing foundation.

The Ministry of Tourism service directory lists licensing categories and shows what activities each category can do (for example, organizing ground services, arranging tour guide services, implementing tourism programs, etc.). 

It also shows core requirements for the license application, including:

• A valid commercial register that includes the requested travel and tourism category.
• A valid license from MOMRAH or the competent authority where applicable.
• Proof of right to use the brand issued by SAIP if any.
• Financial guarantees for some categories. 

Important: Financial guarantee

The same guide states that for specific categories, you must provide an unconditional bank guarantee:

• SAR 800,000 for General Travel and Tourism Services.
• SAR 50,000 for Tour Operations.

It also notes the guarantee covers the license period plus an additional 60 days, and it is irrevocable except with prior written approval. 

Office requirements

The guide also describes basic office setup requirements like a nameplate, service counter or office, waiting area seating, and air conditioning. 

If you want IncorpKSA to handle the sequencing and submissions, use: Government Relations & PRO Services.

Get the Hajj and Umrah specific approvals and platform access

This is what makes your company “specialized” instead of “general tourism”.

For Umrah

Nusuk Umrah is described as a one-stop platform overseen by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, offering Umrah and Ziyarah packages provided by the Ministry’s authorized service providers. 

So if your business model is to sell Umrah packages through the official ecosystem, you should plan your licensing and operational readiness around becoming an authorized provider and meeting the related requirements.

Also, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah documentation includes operational obligations around using Nusuk business solutions in the Umrah process (for reservations and permits aligned with the pilgrim program).

For Hajj

Nusuk Hajj is described as a one-stop platform overseen by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, offering pilgrims from serviced countries Hajj packages provided by authorized service providers.

That means Hajj package selling is not “open market tourism”. It is closely tied to official channels and authorized providers.

Why this step matters

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah document shows penalties that can apply if you operate outside the licensing framework, including a fine up to SAR 100,000 for serving Umrah performers without the necessary license.

Build operations that can handle peak season

Hajj and Umrah operations fail more often from logistics than from marketing.

Build your operations around:

• Hotel contracting and allotments in Makkah and Madinah.
• Transportation partners and scheduling capacity.
• Group movement planning and on-ground coordinators.
• Customer support that works in multiple languages.
• Clear SOPs for delays, missed flights, lost baggage, and medical escalation.

Banking, tax, and invoicing setup

You will need a business bank account, especially if you must issue guarantees, pay suppliers, and collect international payments.

Helpful service: Corporate Bank Account Opening.

For tax and invoicing readiness (VAT, e-invoicing), you can read: ZATCA FATOORA Qualifications and use: VAT Registration & ZATCA Compliance.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Starting marketing before your tourism license and Hajj and Umrah approvals are in place.
• Choosing the wrong travel and tourism license category, then discovering you need a bank guarantee you did not plan for. 
• Operating Umrah services without the correct licensing, which can expose you to penalties. 
• Building packages without locking hotel and transport capacity early, then failing service quality during peak weeks.

FAQ

Can I run Umrah packages as a normal travel agency?

Not safely. Umrah services are regulated, and official platforms describe packages as being provided by authorized service providers. 

Do I need a physical office?

The Ministry of Tourism guide includes premises requirements such as basic customer and office setup items, so plan for this early.

Is Hajj harder than Umrah?

Yes in practice. Hajj is seasonal and runs through official channels, and Nusuk Hajj indicates packages are provided by authorized service providers for serviced countries.

Want a setup plan built for your exact Hajj and Umrah model?

If you tell us at IncorpKSA whether you plan Umrah only, Hajj only, or both, and whether you will sell B2C or B2B, we can map the correct licensing sequence, requirements, and timeline.

You can Start from here: Full Company Formation & Licensing Or if you already have a company and need licensing and government handling: Government Relations & PRO Services