Saudi-based Haj and Umrah agencies have increased the fee for Umrah from Dhs250 to Dhs500 per pilgrim, according to Khaleej Times. Pilgrimage contractors in Abu Dhabi said that the increase was effective from March 29 after the Saudi Haj Ministry introduced a quota system for agencies, reducing the number of allowed Umrah pilgrims from 2,000 to
 800 per agent. A quota system for Haj pilgrimage is already in force.