Uzbekistan tightens rules for Umrah pilgrimage operators: $1 million reserve fund required

According to a resolution issued by the Cabinet of Ministers on October 12, 2024, titled "On Further Improvement of Measures to Organize and Conduct Umrah Events" (Decree No. 668), Umrah tour operators are now required to reserve a minimum of $1 million in a special fund. This is part of a broader initiative to ensure higher standards and better protection for pilgrims. The resolution follows an earlier law enacted on July 2, 2024, which designated the Religious Affairs Committee as the licensing authority for Umrah services, effective from October 5.

The new licensing conditions include several key requirements for operators:

1. $1 Million Reserve Fund: Tour operators must deposit a minimum of $1 million into the "Ziyorat Fund," which is dedicated to managing pilgrim welfare.
2. Qualified Religious Guides: Operators must appoint a group leader with religious knowledge, approved through a contract with the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan.
3. In-house Islamic Specialist: Tour operators are required to employ a specialist with Islamic education to provide religious guidance.
4. Prohibition on Serving Minors: Services for underage citizens are prohibited.
5. Direct Service Provision: Tour operators are not allowed to work through intermediaries such as other travel agencies or tour operators.
6. Exclusive Umrah Visa Processing: Only Umrah visas can be arranged for pilgrims; travel on other types of visas is strictly illegal.
7. Bank Payments: Payments to Saudi partner companies must be conducted through bank transfers, in compliance with the contract signed between the tour operator and the Saudi partner.
8. High-Quality Medical Services: Operators must ensure pilgrims have access to quality medical services in Mecca and Medina.
9. Partnership with Experienced Airlines: Tour operators are required to partner with airlines that have at least two years of international experience and a clean track record of compliance with both national and international laws.
10. Advance Ticket Purchases: Pilgrims' return flights must be booked before departure.
11. Three-Star Accommodation Minimum: Pilgrims must be accommodated in hotels with at least a three-star rating.
12. No Use of Third Countries: Umrah services must not be provided through third countries.
13. Licensed Office Operations Only: Services must only be provided from the licensed office or branch specified in the license.

The penalty for violating Umrah service licensing regulations includes a fine of 200 times the base calculation amount (approximately 75 million UZS) for legal entities.

The Committee on Religious Affairs emphasized that these new measures aim to address several organizational issues that have plagued Umrah trips in recent years. Some tour operators have been accused of falsifying visas, failing to book accommodations, and neglecting to purchase return tickets, leading to over 13,000 Uzbek citizens facing difficulties abroad. Several thousand pilgrims were even deported from Saudi Arabia for violating local regulations.

Currently, around 80 tour operators in Uzbekistan operate in the Umrah service sector, each holding at least $100,000 in reserve funds. In late 2022, the government had partially allowed travel agencies to organize Umrah trips. However, by November 1, 2023, the government imposed additional challenges for these companies, including a mandatory reserve deposit of no less than $100,000.

The recent changes reflect the government's efforts to enhance the overall quality and reliability of Umrah services, ensuring a safer and smoother experience for pilgrims.