Egypt has approved a sweeping set of new regulations governing Umrah trips for the 1448 AH season, placing digital monitoring at the centre of how pilgrims are tracked and protected. The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, approved the rules on 16 July 2026 after they were finalised by the Supreme Committee for Umrah and Hajj.
The Ministry said the changes are designed to organise the new season quickly, raise the quality of services offered to Egyptian pilgrims, and strengthen oversight from the moment a pilgrim signs a contract until they return home.
The Rafeeq application
The headline measure is the launch of the "Rafeeq" electronic application for Egyptian pilgrims and tourism company supervisors. For the first time, tour operators must inform pilgrims or their families at the point of contracting that they need to download the app, create a personal account for each pilgrim, and upload their contractual documents.
Companies are required to respond immediately to any reports or notifications received through the application and through official channels. The system is intended to give both regulators and families a clear digital record of each journey, reducing the space for neglect or fraud.
Operators must also issue an identification card for every pilgrim and attach their details and trip information to their luggage, a practical step that helps reunite lost travellers and belongings during crowded periods.
Tighter controls on operators
The regulations impose firm limits on how companies run their programmes. No company may approve a new Umrah trip until 70 percent of its pilgrims have returned, and during peak months no new trips will be approved until earlier groups have come back, with a maximum of three trips remaining in the Kingdom at any time.
Advertising is also restricted. Companies are prohibited from promoting Umrah programmes without first notifying the General Directorate of Religious Tourism, which will operate electronically and require that every advertisement include full programme details. Programmes running from the 15th of Sha'ban until the 17th of Ramadan are exempted and may extend to a maximum of 35 days.
Transport and traveller welfare
Several provisions focus on comfort and safety in transit. Airlines must provide suitable meals for pilgrims when flights are delayed by up to six hours, and must arrange suitable accommodation if a delay runs longer. An integrated electronic system will track the buses of all Umrah trips outside Egypt's borders, and buses used on land routes must be 2022 models or newer and in sound technical condition.
A further electronic system will evaluate the quality of services delivered to pilgrims, feeding performance data back to regulators. The Ministry urged all companies to comply fully and warned citizens against dealing with brokers, intermediaries or unlicensed entities.
Practical advice for pilgrims
Egyptian pilgrims planning Umrah this season should book only with licensed companies and confirm their registration before paying. Download the Rafeeq app as soon as the contract is signed, and make sure every travelling family member has an account with documents uploaded. Keep the identification card issued by the operator, and report any service failure through the app rather than informally. Confirming meal and accommodation entitlements in the event of flight delays, and checking that land transport meets the 2022 model requirement, can spare a great deal of difficulty on the road.