Bookme announced it has been recognized as a strategic partner by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for enabling instant Umrah visa issuance through a fully digital platform. The announcement was made at the opening ceremony of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2026.
The initiative is part of the Ministry’s OTA Innovation Program, which aims to expand global access to Umrah services via digital platforms. The program is led by Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, alongside Abdulmohsen bin Abdulrahman Al-Salem.
The solution was developed through a collaboration between Bookme, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and Elm Company. Through this partnership, Pakistani pilgrims can now obtain Umrah visas directly within the Bookme platform via a fully digital process.
The system is fully automated and integrated with Saudi government visa infrastructure, eliminating the need for manual processing, physical documentation, or in-person visits. The visa issuance process operates in real time and delivers a seamless, one-click user experience backed directly by Saudi authorities.
The service was launched during the final ten days of Ramadan 2026, with visas issued through the platform during that period. Pakistan represents one of the largest source markets for Umrah pilgrims globally, and the initiative is expected to improve access, transparency, and efficiency while supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digital transformation goals.
The platform will be accessible عبر Bookme’s website, mobile apps, and integrated partner ecosystems, including banking and fintech platforms. By removing intermediaries, the model is expected to lower costs, increase transparency, and provide pilgrims with greater flexibility to customize travel, including access to hotels, tours, and Ziyarah experiences at market-driven pricing.
The recognition was presented during the forum’s opening ceremony, where Bookme Founder and CEO Faizan Aslam received acknowledgment in the presence of Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and senior ministry officials.
Bookme operates across five markets and has expanded into Saudi Arabia with support from Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council. The company also partners with the Saudi Tourism Authority to enhance tourism access for Pakistani travelers.
KEY QUOTE:
“This is a historic moment, not just for Bookme, but for Pakistan. We are deeply honored that this agreement was signed by His Excellency the Minister himself at the world’s most important annual Hajj and Umrah gathering. This partnership will fundamentally change how Pakistani pilgrims access Umrah by making the process instant, direct, and completely frictionless. Most importantly, it is powered by a fully automated system directly integrated with Saudi authorities. This is only the beginning, and several additional initiatives are already in the pipeline as part of this long-term collaboration.”
Faizan Aslam, Founder And CEO Of Bookme
