The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has approved and published the performance evaluation of the companies that served foreign pilgrims during the 1447 AH (2026) Hajj season. The move, announced in early August 2026, ranks service providers into tiers and is designed to raise standards and increase transparency across the pilgrim service system.

How the companies were graded

According to the Ministry, the evaluation covered three distinct tracks. These were companies contracted with Pilgrim Affairs Offices, companies contracted with affiliated organizers, and companies operating under the direct Hajj model. Within each track, firms were placed into one of three tiers.

The tiers are Tier 1 for outstanding performance, Tier 2 for very good performance, and Tier 3 for good performance. The Ministry said the ratings were based on the approved evaluation outcomes for each company.

The scoring rests on two main criteria. Compliance and adherence to regulations carries a weight of 60 percent, while the quality of service performance carries a weight of 40 percent. The Ministry said these measures draw on field monitoring, documented data and evidence, and assessments of pilgrim satisfaction.

Before finalizing the results, the Ministry said it received, studied and addressed objections from companies. Officials described this step as a safeguard to ensure the results are precise and fair.

Why the Ministry is publishing the results

The Ministry framed the publication as part of its wider effort to develop the service ecosystem for the Guests of Allah. It said releasing the evaluation reinforces transparency, informs stakeholders of the outcomes, and motivates companies to keep improving.

The evaluation is updated every year after each Hajj season. According to the Ministry, this annual cycle is intended to give companies a clear and objective measurement of their performance and to encourage compliance with regulatory and operational requirements.

Officials also said the ratings are meant to foster a culture of positive competition. By rewarding strong performers with higher tiers, the Ministry hopes to push firms toward best operational practices that improve services in future seasons. The step aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program, both of which prioritize the quality of the pilgrim journey.

What it means for pilgrims and agents

For pilgrims traveling from outside the Kingdom, the tier system offers a signal of service quality when their national Hajj authorities or agents select Saudi providers. Accommodation, transport and catering during Hajj are handled through these contracted companies, so their performance directly shapes the pilgrim experience in Makkah, Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah.

The publication reflects a broader tightening of oversight ahead of the 2027 season, as Saudi authorities move to reduce the number of operators while raising standards. Pilgrims booking for future seasons can use the following practical points as a guide:

  • Ask about the provider's tier. When booking through a national or private agent, request the name and evaluation tier of the Saudi service company handling accommodation and transport.
  • Confirm what is bundled. Check that catering, transport within the holy sites, and accommodation in both Makkah and Madinah are covered under your package.
  • Keep records. Retain booking confirmations and receipts. Documented evidence supports any complaint and feeds into the Ministry's satisfaction assessments.
  • Give feedback. Pilgrim satisfaction carries real weight in the scoring, so responding to official surveys helps shape future ratings.

The Ministry said approving and publishing the results is an extension of its ongoing work to advance the external pilgrim service system and support better regulatory decisions in the seasons ahead.