Saudi Arabia just changed everything. Here's what UK pilgrims MUST know before booking.
With visa validity slashed from 90 to 30 days and mandatory Nusuk platform bookings now required, choosing the wrong travel agency could cost you your entire pilgrimage. We've analyzed the UK market to help you book with complete confidence.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has implemented game-changing rules. Ignorance will cost you time, money, and potentially your entire journey.
Entry validity reduced from 90 days to just 30 days from issuance. Miss this window? Your visa auto-cancels. No refunds. No exceptions.
All hotels and transport MUST be pre-booked through Nusuk-approved providers. Airport authorities now verify bookings on arrival. No booking = denied entry.
Meningitis ACWY vaccination certificate mandatory (minimum 10 days before travel). Travel insurance with medical cover now non-negotiable.
NEW: Tourist, work, family visit, and transit visa holders can now perform Umrah without separate visa. But compliance rules still apply fully.
Based on 1,200+ customer reviews and Trading Standards complaints from 2024-2025
Real experiences from Burnley to Birmingham, Manchester to London
Every penny protected by UK Civil Aviation Authority. If we fail, you get full refund or equivalent arrangements. Zero risk to you.
Swissôtel Al Maqam (100m), Anjum Hotel (350m), confirmed properties. We provide Google Maps coordinates before you pay.
Direct Ministry of Hajj connections. 99%+ approval rate. Completed 5-7 days pre-departure. We handle Nusuk registration entirely.
Price you see = price you pay. No hidden visa fees, transfer charges, or surprise upgrades. Guarantee in writing.
Interconnecting rooms, wheelchair access, elderly support, kid-friendly itineraries. We've handled families of 2 to 25 pilgrims.
UK call center + Saudi ground team. English/Urdu/Arabic speakers. Test us: call 2 AM Thursday - we answer.
Ramadan, December, Easter, off-peak. 7, 10, 14, 21-night options. Depart London, Manchester, Birmingham - direct or 1-stop.
Knowledgeable guides. Cave of Hira, Jabal Uhud, Masjid Quba, historical Madinah sites. Not rushed bus tours - meaningful visits.
Trading Standards identified these 10 red flags in confirmed fraud cases
Any package under £500 all-inclusive should trigger alarm bells. Flights alone cost £360+. Basic hotel £30/night. Math doesn't work.
Verify at caa.co.uk/ATOL. Fake numbers are common. Al Islam Travels displays valid ATOL on every page.
"4-star near Haram" without exact names = bait-and-switch setup. Demand hotel names, addresses, distances in writing.
"Book today or lose this price!" is a classic scam tactic. Legitimate agencies give you time to research and decide.
Just mobile number and Gmail account? Visit their actual office. Check Companies House registration. Verify everything.
Fewer than 50 Trustpilot reviews or rating below 4.0/5 suggests either new agency (risky) or problematic history.
"You handle visa yourself" = they're not Nusuk-approved. Under 2026 rules, this will cause your visa to be rejected.
Taking days to respond to pre-booking questions? Imagine their "support" when you're stranded at Jeddah airport at midnight.
Verbal promises mean nothing legally. Demand itemized contract with hotels, flights, inclusions, cancellation policy - everything in writing.
Cash-only, Western Union, personal bank accounts, cryptocurrency = massive red flags. Credit card gives you Section 75 protection.
Why UK families choose Al Islam Travels year after year
96+ verified customer reviews. Read actual pilgrim experiences - not marketing fluff. Real names, real journeys, real satisfaction.
ATOL protected, IATA certified, Ministry of Hajj registered, UK Companies House verified. Every credential checkable.
47% of our 2025 bookings are return pilgrims or family referrals. People who've experienced our service trust us with their loved ones.
Serving pilgrims from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bradford, and across the UK. Local presence, national reach.
Don't gamble with scam agencies. Don't risk missing the 30-day visa window. Don't settle for mediocre service on the journey of a lifetime.
Speak with our Umrah specialists today. Ask the tough questions. Get honest answers. Make the informed decision.
Explore ATOL-Protected Packages →Early booking discounts available • Payment plans offered • Group rates for 10+ pilgrims