How do you verify an Umrah agency's licence in Algeria?

1. Start from the official source

The National Office for Hajj and Umrah (ONPO) has dedicated a page to the list of tourism and travel agencies licensed to organise Umrah. When it was reviewed on 6 September 2026, the list's title referred to the 1448 AH season, and the page explains that you can search by agency name, licence number or wilaya. List of agencies licensed for Umrah at ONPO (external link, opens in a new tab).

Start from this page, not from a screenshot sent by the person behind the advertisement. If the search table does not appear or the name cannot be found, do not treat the absence of a result on its own as proof that there is no licence; ask ONPO for clarification through its official channels (external link, opens in a new tab).

2. Match the legal name with the party you are dealing with

The trade name shown on a social media page may differ from the legal name. Ask for the full name, the licence number and the head-office details, then compare them with the official information.

Note the following before moving on to payment:

If the data differ, ask for a written explanation. It is not enough for the name to resemble that of a well-known agency.

3. Distinguish Umrah organisation from other travel activities

ONPO's pages show separate lists for Hajj and Umrah. Check the activity you need and the season that matches your trip; do not use the presence of the name in another list instead of checking the Umrah list. Website of the National Office for Hajj and Umrah (external link, opens in a new tab).

It is also useful to ask the party selling the offer about its role: is it the organising agency, a branch or an intermediary? If it is an intermediary, ask which body will issue the contract, who receives the money and who is responsible for following up the programme.

The official Nusuk Umrah platform (external link, opens in a new tab) lists approved service providers within the Saudi platform. This is a different context from the list of Algerian agencies at ONPO; do not use a reference to Nusuk instead of verifying the licence of the party you are contracting with in Algeria.

4. Ask for a written programme you can review

After verifying the identity, move on to the service itself. Ask for the hotel names, the distribution of nights, the room type, the flights, the transport, the meals and what the price does not cover.

If the phrase "similar hotel" appears, ask how the alternatives will be decided and when you will know the confirmed hotel name. If the distance to the Haram matters to you, ask for a description of the route and the measuring point rather than relying on a bare number.

A licence does not make every programme equal. A properly organised programme may still not suit your needs if it involves a lot of moving around or if the room does not fit your family.

5. Review the contract and payments before committing

Ask that the identity of the party in the contract matches the party you verified. Review the final price, the amount required at booking, the remaining balance, the dates, and the change and cancellation conditions.

Before transferring or paying, make sure of the beneficiary's link to the contract and of how the transaction will be evidenced. If you are asked to transfer money to a different party without a clear explanation, stop until the relationship is clarified.

Keep the receipt for every payment and the correspondence about the agreement. These steps are to organise your decision and keep your documents; rights and compensation in a dispute require reviewing the contract and going to the competent authority, and cannot be settled from a short advertisement.

6. Check the accompaniment and communication during the trip

Ask whom to call if the airport pickup is late, the accommodation differs or you need clarification. Ask for a contact before travelling and learn how communication with the group works.

When travelling with parents or children, explain the needs in advance. Do not treat the word "accompaniment" as a promise of continuous individual assistance unless the service is clearly defined.

Signals that need clarification before paying

• Refusal to provide the legal name or licence details.
• A different payment beneficiary without a written explanation.
• An offer that does not specify the hotel, the room type or what the price includes.
• Pressure to pay immediately while delaying delivery of the documents.
• Treating photos and comments as a substitute for the contract.
• Promises of a guaranteed administrative outcome without an official document.

One signal alone does not automatically prove fraud, but it is reason enough to ask for more information before committing.

A ready-to-send message

This is a suggested wording to organise your enquiry, not a document issued by an official body.

Frequently asked questions

After verifying, use the Umrah package comparison guide, then browse the Dalil Umrah offers to choose a programme that suits your budget and circumstances.