If you are planning Umrah or a visit to Madinah, you will hear one name again and again: Nusuk. Nusuk is the official platform of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for pilgrims, run under the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. It brings together permits, bookings and information in one app and website (nusuk.sa).

This guide explains in simple words what the Nusuk app does, how to register, how to get an Umrah permit and a Rawdah slot, and tips to avoid stress. Rules and screens are updated often, so treat this as a friendly overview and always follow what the official app shows you.

What is the Nusuk app?

Nusuk was launched to make the journey of pilgrims easier, from planning to arrival. In the app you can typically:

• Get an Umrah permit for a chosen date and time.
• Book a visit to the Rawdah (Riyadh ul Jannah) in Masjid an-Nabawi.
• See your permits as QR codes to show at checkpoints.
• Find information about the Two Holy Mosques, services and guidance.
• For some countries, Hajj packages are booked through the related Nusuk Hajj platform (hajj.nusuk.sa).

The app is free, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, and works in several languages including English, Arabic, Urdu and Indonesian. Only download it from the official stores. Be careful of fake apps or websites that ask for money for a permit that is officially free.

Who needs Nusuk?

Almost every pilgrim does. Visitors on tourist visas, Umrah visas, transit visas where allowed, and residents of Saudi Arabia with an Iqama all use Nusuk to book Umrah and Rawdah. Saudi citizens use it too. Hajj is different and has its own rules; see our Hajj permit guide.

Step 1: Create your account

• Download Nusuk from the official app store.
• Choose your language.
• Register with your details: visitors usually use passport and visa information; residents use their Iqama number; citizens use their national ID.
• Verify with the code sent to your phone or email.
• Add family members (dependants) if the app allows, so you can book for them too.

Tip: create your account before you fly. Hotel Wi-Fi can be slow, and it is much easier to fix login problems at home.

Step 2: Book your Umrah permit

An Umrah permit allows you to perform Umrah in Masjid al-Haram at the chosen time. In general the steps are:

• Open the app and choose the Umrah service.
• Pick the date and a time slot. Popular times, especially in Ramadan, fill up quickly.
• Select the people who will perform Umrah with you.
• Confirm. The permit appears as a QR code in your bookings.

Arrive near the time of your slot. Security staff may scan the permit at entrances to the Mataf area. Keep a screenshot in case your internet is weak, but make sure the live permit is also available in the app.

Plan your ride so you reach the Haram with time to spare. From Jeddah Airport, the drive is usually 1 to 1.5 hours; see our Jeddah Airport to Makkah taxi.

Step 3: Book a Rawdah visit

The Rawdah is the blessed area in Masjid an-Nabawi between the Prophet’s house and his minbar. Because so many people want to pray there, entry is organised through Nusuk. You choose a date and time, and men and women have separate time slots. Slots open on a rolling basis, so check the app often. The authorities have also limited how often one person can book in a period of time, so read the conditions shown in the app. Our Rawdah booking guide has detailed tips.

Common problems and simple fixes

• No slots available: try different times, including late night and early morning, and check again later; new slots and cancellations appear.
• Login or verification issues: check that your passport or Iqama number is typed exactly, update the app and try another network.
• Wrong date: cancel the booking in the app if allowed, then rebook, so the slot can go to someone else.
• Group bookings: book family members together so you enter at the same time.
• Help: use the official support channels listed in the app and on nusuk.sa. Do not share your password with strangers or unofficial “agents”.

Nusuk and transport

Nusuk handles permits and some official services. For getting between airports, hotels, stations and ziyarat places, many families prefer a private taxi with a fixed price. Time your pickup so that you arrive before your Umrah permit slot, and allow extra time during Ramadan and weekends when roads near the Haram are closed or busy.

Planning your Umrah day around your Nusuk permit

A permit time is easier to keep when the rest of the day is planned. Many pilgrims choose a slot late at night or after Fajr, when the Mataf is less crowded and the air is cooler. Work backwards from your slot: how long you need to get ready, how long the ride to the Haram takes, and how long the walk from the drop-off point to the gate will be. Roads close to the Haram are often closed to cars at busy times, so you may need to walk the last part.

For families, it helps to book everyone in one booking, agree on a meeting point (for example a gate number) in case anyone gets separated, and keep a phone charger with you. Elderly pilgrims can use the wheelchair and electric cart services at Masjid al-Haram; check the app or ask staff at the gates.

After Umrah, rest before booking another activity. Your body needs time, especially in summer. A tired pilgrim is more likely to get lost, fall ill or lose patience, and patience is a big part of a blessed Umrah.

Respecting the permit system

The permit system exists to keep millions of people safe in a limited space. Following it is part of good manners and cooperation for the safety of others. Never try to enter with someone else’s permit or a fake one. If your slot is missed because of a delay, check the app for a new slot rather than arguing with staff.

Final thoughts

Nusuk makes the journey simpler once it is set up. Register early, book your family together and plan your ride around your permit time, so that on the day you can focus on worship, not on your phone.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides and services

• Jeddah Airport to Makkah taxi
• Madinah Airport taxi
• Haramain train station taxi
• Masjid Aisha Meeqat taxi
• All routes and fixed prices

Sources and further reading

• Nusuk – official platform for Umrah, Hajj and Rawdah
• Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
• Nusuk Hajj – official Hajj booking for eligible countries
• General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques

This guide is general information for pilgrims. Religious rulings can differ between schools of thought, so please ask a qualified scholar about your own situation. Official rules change often; always check the official Nusuk platform and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before you travel.

Written by the Zikr Cabs team: we drive pilgrims between Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Taif. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp.

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