The Nusuk app is Saudi Arabia’s official digital gateway for both Hajj and Umrah, issued and operated by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. For the 2026 pilgrimage cycle, using Nusuk is no longer optional.
What Is the Nusuk App and Why It Matters in 2026
Nusuk is the single official platform for planning and performing both Hajj and Umrah. It handles the full journey, from visa issuance to permit booking, hotel and flights to Jeddah reservations, transport, and on-ground guidance inside the holy sites.
According to the Arab News, Nusuk surpassed 51 million users globally as of April 2026, up from 30 million in September 2025, with users from more than 190 countries.
The app replaces the older Eatmarna platform and now brings together more than 130 digital services under one account. Saudi authorities built it to cut out middlemen, reduce fraud, and give pilgrims direct access to official bookings.
Mandatory App for Grand Mosque Entry
For the 2026 season, the rules are stricter than ever. Only pilgrims with a valid Nusuk-issued permit are allowed entry to Masjid al-Haram and the Rawdah. Officials at every gate scan the QR code directly from the app. A valid Umrah or Hajj visa on its own is no longer enough.
Who Should Use Nusuk
Nusuk serves three main groups:
- International Umrah pilgrims from eVisa-eligible countries applying directly online
- Residents of Saudi Arabia and the GCC booking Umrah or Rawdah slots with their Iqama or national ID
- International Hajj pilgrims from the 126 serviced countries registering via the Nusuk Hajj platform
Key 2026 Season Dates
The 1447H Umrah season closed ahead of Hajj 2026, and the 1448H season is now open. Here’s the current calendar pilgrims should plan around:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Day of Arafah (Hajj 2026) | 26 May 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha 2026 | 27 May 2026 |
| Nusuk Umrah visa issuance resumed (1448H) | 31 May 2026 |
| Makkah entry and Nusuk permit issuance resumed | 1 June 2026 |
| Official start of Umrah 1448H (1 Muharram) | 16 June 2026 |
| Last Umrah visa issuance (1448H) | 9 March 2027 |
| Final arrival date for Umrah pilgrims (1448H) | 23 March 2027 |
| All Umrah pilgrims must exit Saudi Arabia (1448H) | 7 April 2027 |
How to Download the Nusuk App and Create Your Account
The app is free and available on both iOS and Android. Always download from the official stores to avoid fake clones that harvest personal data.
Where to Download
- Apple App Store: Search “Nusuk نسك” by Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Google Play Store: Search “Nusuk نسك” by Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Web version: nusuk.sa for browser-based access
- Hajj registration: hajj.nusuk.sa for pilgrims from the 126 serviced countries
The app supports around 10 languages including Arabic, English, Urdu, Turkish, Malay, Indonesian, French, and Hausa, covering most of the world’s pilgrim population.
Free Access Without Internet or Data
Saudi Arabia launched a zero-data access feature that lets pilgrims use the Nusuk app without consuming mobile data or needing Wi-Fi. This applies across Saudi networks, so essential services like permits, maps, and emergency contacts work even if your roaming or data runs out.
Step-by-Step Registration
- Open the app and tap Create Account
- Pick your language
- Choose Visitor if you are an international pilgrim, or Resident if you hold a Saudi Iqama
- Enter your passport or Iqama number, name, email, and a secure password
- Accept the terms and conditions
- Verify the one-time password (OTP) sent to your phone
Once verified, link your visa number and passport to activate permit booking. Do this as soon as your visa is issued, not the day you arrive.
Using Nusuk for Umrah: eVisa, Permits, and Rawdah
Umrah is where Nusuk gets most of its daily traffic. The app handles everything from the initial visa to the final QR-coded permit at the gates of Masjid al-Haram.
The Nusuk eVisa and “Any Visa Is an Umrah Visa” Rule
The old paper Umrah visa sticker is gone for eligible nationalities. According to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citizens of around 66 countries plus holders of valid US, UK, or Schengen visas can apply for a digital Umrah eVisa through Nusuk.
Under the 2026 “Any Visa Is an Umrah Visa” policy, holders of Saudi tourist, transit, or personal visit visas can also perform Umrah, as long as the visa is linked to Nusuk before arrival and a permit is issued through the app.
The One-Year Multiple-Entry Rule
Saudi Arabia launched a multiple-entry Umrah visa on 20 July 2026. It is valid for 365 days from issuance and allows multiple entries with a cumulative stay of up to 90 days.
Each visit requires a service package from an approved Nusuk provider and an Umrah permit before arrival. The visa is not activated during Hajj season.
Booking Reference Number (BRN) Is Mandatory
Saudi Arabia has introduced a strict “No Booking, No Visa” policy. Every Umrah visa application must now be linked to a verified Booking Reference Number (BRN) for both accommodation and transport before the visa is issued.
- Hotel BRN: Must cover the full duration of your stay. Staying with relatives in Makkah no longer exempts you from booking a verified hotel
- Transport BRN: A one-way airport transfer from Jeddah or Madinah must be attached to your file
Bookings must be made through Nusuk or a licensed partner so the BRN syncs with the Ministry’s visa system. Without it, your visa application will be rejected.
Booking online: Wego books the Nusuk-linked hotel and transport, so both booking reference numbers are attached to your file, and files the visa application in the same flow. Our step-by-step guide to booking Umrah from your phone walks through it.
Pre-Arrival Readiness Data
Every Umrah pilgrim must now complete a Pre-Arrival Readiness Data submission on Nusuk. This includes:
- Verified hotel BRN
- Confirmed round-trip flight tickets
- Passport and visa details
- Proof of meningitis vaccination
Incomplete submissions block permit issuance, even if your eVisa is approved.
Booking an Umrah Permit Step by Step
- Log into your Nusuk account
- Tap Umrah under Holy Mosque Services
- Add the pilgrims performing Umrah (yourself plus any companions)
- Pick your preferred date and time slot. Green slots have the lightest crowds
- Agree to the terms and tap Continue
- Your permit is issued instantly with a QR code, reservation number, and time window
Save the QR code offline. Officials at Masjid al-Haram scan it at entry points.
Booking a Rawdah Permit
The Rawdah, located inside the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, is one of the most sought-after prayer spaces in Islam. Nusuk is the only official channel for booking it.
- Open the app and select Praying in the Noble Rawdah under Prophet’s Mosque Services
- Pick your name from the registered list
- Choose a date and time slot
- Accept the terms and tap Issue Permit
Instant Booking and Waitlist
Nusuk offers two additional ways to secure a Rawdah slot. Instant Track lets pilgrims already near the Prophet’s Mosque request an immediate slot every 20 minutes, subject to capacity. Waitlist books you into the next available opening and sends a push notification when a slot frees up.
Pilgrims can now visit the Rawdah more than once per year, as long as capacity allows.
Adding a Companion
To add family members or travel companions to your permit:
- Open Nusuk and go to Umrah
- Pick the main user, then tap Add Companion
- Enter their Iqama or passport number, nationality, date of birth, and city of arrival
- Tap Add
Using Nusuk for Hajj: Registration, Packages, and the Nusuk Card
Hajj has its own Nusuk pipeline. International pilgrims do not book Hajj through the main Nusuk app — they register on the dedicated Nusuk Hajj platform at hajj.nusuk.sa, then use the main app for on-ground services once they arrive.
Who Can Register on Nusuk Hajj
The Nusuk Hajj platform serves pilgrims from 126 approved countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, most of the EU, and Muslim-minority nations. Residents of Saudi Arabia and most Muslim-majority countries register through their own national Hajj missions, not through Nusuk Hajj.
You can check the full list on the platform’s Serviced Countries page before starting an application.
How Registration Works
Hajj 2026 registration on Nusuk Hajj opened on 1 February 2026. The process ran in three steps:
- Create a pilgrim profile using your passport and personal details
- Verify your identity and travel documents
- Select and pay for a Hajj package once sales opened
Packages sold quickly, especially premium tiers. Pilgrims who missed the initial window could join waitlists or apply through approved travel agencies that held package inventory.
Nusuk Hajj Package Types
All Nusuk Hajj packages are all-inclusive — they cover the visa, flights, accommodation, transport, catering, and Mashair (Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah) services. The four categories differ by duration and hotel location:
| Package | Minimum Duration | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Mashair | 6 days | Core Hajj rites only; accommodation in Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah |
| Non-Shifting | 10 days | Single hotel base in Makkah throughout the trip |
| Shifting | 14 days | Two hotels — one near Mashair sites, one near Masjid al-Haram |
| External | Varies | Sold via approved travel agencies in your country |
Prices vary by tier and nationality. Standard packages typically run from around USD 7,000 to 15,000, with 5-star all-inclusive options at the higher end. Economy and budget tiers can start from around USD 5,000 depending on country and package type.
The Nusuk Card
For Hajj 2026, the Nusuk Card was a mandatory smart ID every registered Hajj pilgrim had to carry from arrival to departure. It combines your personal, medical, and accommodation data into one document, available as a physical card from your service provider or digitally through Nusuk or the Tawakkalna app.
The card is required for:
- Entering Masjid al-Haram and the Mashair sites
- Boarding buses to Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah
- Accessing on-site health services and emergency care
- Verifying your package and service provider
Saudi authorities have stated that entry to the holy sites without a Nusuk Card will not be permitted during Hajj season.
Nusuk Wallet and Smart Features
Beyond permits and packages, Nusuk packs in a layer of smart features that make the actual pilgrimage easier once you’re on the ground.
Nusuk Wallet: The Official Digital Wallet for Pilgrims
The Nusuk Wallet is a feature many pilgrims still don’t know about, and it’s worth using. Launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with Saudi National Bank under its NEO brand and approved by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), it is the world’s first international digital wallet built specifically for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
Inside the main Nusuk app, the wallet lets you:
- Top up funds before travel in your home currency and use them in Saudi Riyals
- Pay for flights, hotels in Madinah, transport, and package bookings inside the app
- Make contactless payments at participating merchants across Makkah and Madinah
- Track all your pilgrimage spending in one place
It removes the need to carry large amounts of cash and uses biometric verification and encryption to protect your funds.
AI Crowd Management and the Traffic Light System
Nusuk now uses artificial intelligence to track real-time occupancy at the Grand Mosque and the Rawdah. When your chosen gate or prayer area hits capacity, the app pushes an alert suggesting an alternative entry or time slot.
A live green, orange, red traffic-light signal on the app and on digital boards inside the mosque shows which gates are clear and which are full. This replaces much of the manual crowd control that frustrated pilgrims in previous seasons.
Other Useful Features
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Haramain High Speed Rail | Book seats between Jeddah, Madinah, Makkah, and KAEC |
| Interactive Maps | Navigate Makkah, Madinah, Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah |
| Qibla Finder | Built-in compass that vibrates when aligned |
| Quran and Prayer Times | Daily prayer alerts, Qibla direction, Haramain recitations |
| Nusuk AI | Conversational assistant for rituals, directions, and FAQs |
| Emergency Assistance | One-tap contact for nearby hospitals and medical teams |
| Location Sharing | Share your live location with family and companions |
Customer Support and Common Issues
If the app crashes, a permit fails to issue, or your QR code does not scan, contact Nusuk support directly:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +966 920031201
- Instagram: @nusukhajj
- X (Twitter): @NusukHajj
Quick Fixes for Common Problems
- OTP not received: Check country code, try the email OTP option, or request a resend after 60 seconds
- Permit slot unavailable: Use the Waitlist feature instead of refreshing the page
- Visa not found: Wait 24 hours after visa issuance, then retry. Nusuk syncs with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs database
- QR code won’t scan: Increase screen brightness and reopen the permit directly from the app rather than a screenshot
- BRN missing from visa file: Contact your hotel or transport provider and ask them to push the BRN to Nusuk manually
- Hajj package not showing: Log into hajj.nusuk.sa on a desktop browser. Some package details don’t display correctly on older Android devices
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nusuk app mandatory for Umrah and Hajj in 2026?
Yes. Every pilgrim needs a Nusuk-issued permit to enter Masjid al-Haram or the Rawdah, and international Hajj pilgrims from the 126 serviced countries must register on the Nusuk Hajj platform to book a package. A valid visa alone is not enough.
What’s the difference between the Nusuk app and the Nusuk Hajj platform?
The main Nusuk app (nusuk.sa) handles Umrah visas, permits, Rawdah bookings, maps, and daily services. The Nusuk Hajj platform (hajj.nusuk.sa) is a separate portal used only by international pilgrims from 126 countries to register for Hajj and book approved packages. Once on the ground, Hajj pilgrims still use the main Nusuk app for in-country services.
What is a BRN and why do I need one?
BRN stands for Booking Reference Number. It’s the code generated when you book a hotel or transport through a Saudi-licensed provider. For 2026, your Umrah visa will not be issued unless both a hotel BRN and a transport BRN are attached to your application.
Sources
- Nusuk Official Platform
- Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Nusuk Hajj Platform
- Nusuk Hajj — Serviced Countries
- Nusuk Hajj — Packages and Categories
- Nusuk Card Official Guide
- Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs eVisa Portal
- Arab News — Nusuk Surpasses 51 Million Users
- Saudi Press Agency — Nusuk Wallet Launch
- Saudi National Bank — Nusuk Wallet
- Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Free Nusuk Access
- Gulf News — Rawdah Instant Booking & Waitlist
- Gulf News — Nusuk Card for Hajj 2026
- Saudi Gazette — Umrah 1448H Season Calendar
- Al Arabiya — Saudi Arabia Confirms Eid al-Adha Date
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
