Saudi Guests of God Service Program: 19.5 million foreign pilgrims and Umrah visitors in 2025

The Guests of God Service Program, part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives, has released its 2025 annual report under the theme (#Honor_and_Impact), highlighting key achievements in serving pilgrims and Umrah visitors. The report details ongoing improvements to services provided to pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors, enhancing the quality of their journey from planning to return.

According to the report, the program implemented 87 initiatives in 2025 in partnership with over 60 executing entities, achieving a 100% compliance rate. This underscores Saudi Arabia’s longstanding commitment to serving pilgrims and supports Vision 2030’s goals to elevate the experience for guests of God.

The report noted that 2025 saw the arrival of more than 19.5 million pilgrims and Umrah visitors from abroad, including 18.03 million Umrah performers and 1.5 million Hajj pilgrims. This represents a 114% increase in Umrah visitors compared to 2022, reflecting the readiness and efficiency of the service system. Despite the continued rise in numbers, satisfaction indicators remained high, with 91% of Hajj pilgrims and 94% of Umrah visitors expressing satisfaction—both exceeding Vision 2030 targets. The Rawdah Sharifah received over 16 million visitors in 2025, with visitor satisfaction rising to 88% from 57% in 2022, demonstrating the impact of service enhancements and streamlined rituals according to the highest standards.

To enrich the religious and cultural experience, the report stated that the number of qualified historical sites and cultural destinations in Makkah and Madinah rose to 87, welcoming over 55 million visits. This step deepens the experience for guests of God and strengthens their connection to Islamic heritage.

In terms of community engagement, the report recorded the participation of 184,569 volunteers serving guests of God in 2025, reflecting the growing culture of volunteerism among Saudis and its key role in improving service quality.

Saudi Arabia achieved advanced rankings in international indices, with Makkah ranking fifth globally among cities receiving the most international visitors, and Madinah ranking seventh worldwide in tourism performance.

Continuing digital service development, the report noted that a total of 15.03 million visas were issued for Umrah, visits, and other purposes, with Umrah visas accounting for 83%. Pakistan, Indonesia, and Egypt topped the list of countries whose citizens arrived on Umrah visas, reflecting integrated efforts to facilitate the journey and enhance the experience for guests of God.

The report concluded by affirming that these achievements are due to God’s grace, the unwavering support of the Saudi leadership, and the coordinated efforts of the Guests of God Service ecosystem, contributing to the aspirations of Vision 2030 and reinforcing the Kingdom’s leadership in serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.