Umrah service licensing resumes in Uzbekistan with $1 million deposit rule

On March 7, the Religious Affairs Committee announced that it has begun accepting new applications from businesses seeking a license to organize Umrah pilgrimages. The Committee, which serves as the authorized licensing body, only shared this update on its official website, without publishing it on its social media pages, where most people get information.

Application requirements

The Umrah pilgrimage organization license is granted exclusively to legal entities. Applicants must submit the following documents:

1. A formal application including:
2. The legal entity's name, organizational structure, and address (postal address), as well as the business activity location, taxpayer identification number (TIN), bank details, and confirmation of compliance with licensing requirements.
3. Full names, birth years, addresses, and passport (or ID card) details of the business owner and staff.
4. Proof of a deposit of at least $1 million into the Religious Affairs Committee's "Ziyorat" Fund.
5. A contract with the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, ensuring that a qualified religious specialist will be appointed as a group leader during Umrah pilgrimages.
6. A contract with a partner organization in Saudi Arabia that holds an Umrah license from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
7. A contract with airline(s) responsible for transporting pilgrims.
8. Information confirming that the applicant operates in a modern, well-equipped facility capable of providing high-quality services to pilgrims.
9. Proof of insurance, verifying that the business has a civil liability insurance policy covering its operations.

Additionally, applicants must pay a review fee of 1,125,000 UZS (equivalent to three times the Basic Calculation Unit - BCU) and a state licensing fee of 3,750,000 UZS (10 times the BCU).

Application deadline & contact details

Applications will be accepted from March 7 to April 7, 2025, until 6:00 PM on the final day.

For more information, applicants can contact: +99871 207-17-58 (extension 124). The Religious Affairs Committee’s office is located at 12 Navoi Street, Tashkent.

Applicants can find bank details, application forms, and other requirements on the Committee’s official website.

Decline in licensed Umrah service providers

In previous years, nearly 100 tour companies in Uzbekistan were authorized to offer Umrah services. However, the introduction of stricter licensing requirements, particularly the $1 million deposit, significantly reduced the number of licensed providers. As of November 2024, only 12 companies held valid licenses.

Previously, the Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee, Sodiqjon Toshboyev, addressed concerns about the new licensing rules, denying allegations of monopolization and asserting that the $1 million deposit was not excessive.