Nusuk Platform 2026: Umrah & Hajj Permits, Booking, and Overseas Pilgrims
Complete guide to Nusuk — obtaining Umrah permits, Hajj registration, overseas pilgrim booking, Umrah visa vs tourist visa, and common mistakes.
Nusuk is the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's unified portal for everything related to performing the rites: Haramain entry permits, Hajj, Umrah, services in Madinah, and overseas-pilgrim booking. Official URL: nusuk.sa.
Before 2018 these services were scattered across multiple platforms (Eatmarna, Tasreeh, Smart Hajj). In 2022 the ministry unified everything under "Nusuk," and the digital permit became a requirement to enter the Grand Mosque courtyards during peak seasons (Ramadan, Hajj) — not only for performing Umrah.
Who needs a Nusuk permit?
| User | Permit type |
|---|---|
| Saudi or resident performing Umrah | Umrah permit |
| Saudi or resident praying at the Grand Mosque (e.g., Ramadan) | Prayer / visit permit |
| Saudi or resident performing Hajj | Hajj permit (after the lottery) |
| Pilgrim from outside the Kingdom | Umrah visa + digital permit |
| Visitor on a tourist visa wanting Umrah | Umrah permit on the tourist visa |
Umrah permit for citizens and residents
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open nusuk.sa or download the Nusuk app |
| 2 | Sign in with National Single Sign-On or Absher |
| 3 | Choose "Umrah" → "Book Permit" |
| 4 | Set the date and time (typically 2-hour windows) |
| 5 | Add companions (must be linked in Absher or registered with their IDs) |
| 6 | Review and confirm the booking |
| 7 | Show the QR code from the app at the mosque gate |
Key rules:
- The permit is time-bound; being late invalidates it.
- Missing the appointment twice in a row temporarily suspends the account.
- The permit is per person; not transferable.
Hajj registration for Saudis and residents
Hajj requires a separate permit on a different path:
- Registration window: announced annually about two months before Hajj (typically Shawwal-Dhu al-Qi'dah).
- Selection: by lottery or priority (first-time pilgrims, older pilgrims, etc.).
- Packages: 6 tiers from economy to premium — chosen before the lottery.
- Payment: after acceptance, to the chosen Hajj service company.
- Priority: those who have never performed Hajj, then those who performed it more than 5 years ago.
Booking for overseas pilgrims
The fastest path to perform Umrah from abroad — and the most significant recent development:
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1 | Visit nusuk.sa/en and pick your language |
| 2 | Register with your passport (Saudi / non-Saudi / other-country resident) |
| 3 | Browse packages — all from accredited Saudi companies |
| 4 | Each package includes: Umrah visa, flight (optional), hotel, transport, meals, guide |
| 5 | Pay by card or bank transfer |
| 6 | Receive the e-visa by email in days |
Warning: some overseas Umrah agencies advertise fake packages or issue visas in your name without your knowledge. Use only Nusuk-registered companies or agencies certified by your country's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Umrah visa vs tourist visa
Since 2019, Saudi Arabia has opened a tourist visitor visa to a wide list of countries (49 countries e-visa initially, then more). For a Muslim, this visa allows performing Umrah without needing a specific Umrah visa.
| Criterion | Umrah visa | Tourist visa |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 90 days | 90 days (multi-entry annually) |
| Allowed areas | Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah (transit) | All Kingdom (Makkah and Madinah for Muslims only) |
| For Hajj | No | No |
| For Umrah | Yes (its original purpose) | Yes for Muslims |
| Fees | Vary by package | ~100-130 USD |
| Applicant | Accredited Umrah company | Directly from government |
Common mistakes
- Peak-time booking without confirming companions: some families book, then it's auto-cancelled because someone has a conflicting permit.
- Overstaying the visa: risk of deportation and 5-year ban.
- Buying from unofficial sites: many sites impersonate Nusuk — verify SSL and the official URL.
- Missing your permit slot: 30 minutes late invalidates it.
- Donating your permit to another person: the system uses face recognition (cameras) — both parties are penalised.
Tips especially for Saudis
- Book early in Ramadan: permits sell out in minutes for the last ten nights.
- Last ten nights are the hardest season: you may need a permit even for regular prayer.
- Grand Mosque is sometimes closed to non-permit holders: don't enter without one, especially during peak tawaf hours.
- Download the QR offline before entry: the mosque network is congested.
Related articles
Sources:
الأسئلة الشائعة
The official digital platform of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. It manages: Grand Mosque entry permits, Umrah and Hajj permits for citizens and residents, overseas-pilgrim bookings, and services in Madinah. URL: nusuk.sa.
Yes, since 2017. Hajj applications for Saudis and residents go through Nusuk in a specific window (typically two months before Hajj). A lottery determines successful applicants based on seat availability.
General rule: first Umrah has no gap; second and beyond require a defined interval (a week to 15 days depending on season) and may need a new permit. This was introduced to reduce crowding. Check Nusuk for current rules.
Umrah visa: for Umrah only, allows Makkah and Madinah. Tourist visa: opens the entire Kingdom (including Makkah and Madinah for Muslims) and allows Umrah as a Muslim visitor. The tourist visa is broader but does not permit Hajj.
From nusuk.sa or the Nusuk app, register with your passport, select a package (a Saudi company covering flight, hotel, transport, permit), and pay. The permit is emailed digitally within days. No embassy visit needed.
Part of the series: Passport & Travel
Article 4 of 4Issuing and renewing the passport, visa-free destinations, foreign visas, and Hajj/Umrah permits.
- 1.Saudi Passport Guide 2026, Issuance, Renewal, and FeesPillar guide
- 2.Visa-Free Countries for Saudi Passport Holders 2026: Full List by Continent
- 3.Foreign Visas for Saudis 2026: Schengen, US, UK, Canada — Requirements & Steps
- 4.Nusuk Platform 2026: Umrah & Hajj Permits, Booking, and Overseas Pilgrims
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