MAKKAH — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Monday launched a service for qualifying external agents and finalizing contracts for the 1448 AH Umrah season through the Masar Nusuk platform. This is part of a digital ecosystem aimed at automating contracting procedures, enhancing operational efficiency, and strengthening the readiness of the Umrah system for the upcoming season. The ministry explained that the new service enables full automation of all contracting stages and adopts a standardized electronic contract model, with digital verification via a quick response (QR) code on the Nusuk platform.The ministry said that a service allowing Saudi Umrah companies to contract with domestic service providers through Masar Nusuk will also be launched, covering accommodation, transportation, catering, value-added services, and the design of packages and programs. This comes ahead of the start of visa application submissions and processing on 14 Dhul-Hijjah, corresponding to May 31, with Umrah permit issuance through the Nusuk app beginning on 15 Dhul-Hijjah.The ministry affirmed that these steps are part of its efforts to enhance the pilgrim experience, improve service quality, and strengthen digital and operational integration across the Umrah ecosystem.