Saudi Arabia has expanded the Nusuk digital platform with a new layer of artificial-intelligence tools designed to manage crowds in real time across the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. As the 1448 AH Umrah season gets under way, the upgrades aim to spread pilgrim movement more evenly, ease congestion at peak times and give worshippers live guidance through their phones.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has made the Nusuk app mandatory for booking Umrah permits and Rawdah appointments this season. The latest features build on that foundation, turning the app from a simple permit tool into a real-time navigation and safety system.
A Traffic-Light System for the Holy Sites
At the heart of the upgrade is a live "traffic light" system. Digital boards at the entrances to the Grand Mosque, mirrored by alerts inside the Nusuk app, now use colour codes to signal real-time capacity. Green indicates space is available in the prayer areas, while red means a section has reached full capacity and pilgrims should use an alternative gate or wait.
According to guidance published by the ministry and reported across Saudi outlets, the system analyses occupancy data at the Grand Mosque and at Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah in Madinah, then pushes notifications to pilgrims when crowd density is low enough to visit comfortably. The goal is to replace the unpredictable surges that build before and after the five daily prayers with a smoother, staggered flow of worshippers.
Pilgrims have been urged to follow the digital signage and the instructions of security personnel, to stick to marked pedestrian paths, and to avoid the central area around the Kaaba immediately before and after prayer times, when overcrowding is most likely.
The Nusuk Smart Card and Pre-Arrival Data
The ministry has also introduced a smart digital identity within the app that functions as a pilgrim's primary credential inside the Kingdom, moving beyond the static PDF permits used previously. The card links a pilgrim's permits, appointments and entry codes in one place and issues timed alerts for Umrah and Rawdah visits.
Entry now depends on completing a pre-arrival data submission before travel. Every Umrah visa must be tied to a verified hotel booking through Nusuk, and pilgrims are asked to register round-trip flight details and ground transport in advance. Saudi authorities cross-reference this information before granting an Umrah permit. The principle, summarised by several travel advisories, is that "any visa is an Umrah visa" provided it is properly linked to the Nusuk system before arrival.
Support for Elderly and Disabled Pilgrims
The crowd-management plan includes specific provisions for vulnerable groups. Separate prayer areas and priority pathways have been arranged for elderly pilgrims and people with disabilities, and electric carts are available to help them perform Tawaf. The ministry has also advised families to avoid bringing young children into the most crowded areas during peak hours.
Strict rules remain in force around the mosques. Carrying weapons, smoking, begging, unlicensed trading and obstructing pathways are all prohibited, and pilgrims are asked to report suspicious activity to the authorities.
Practical Tips for Umrah Pilgrims
Pilgrims planning Umrah this season should download the Nusuk app well before departure and complete every required field, including verified hotel and travel details, to avoid delays in obtaining a permit. Enabling notifications allows the app to send live capacity alerts and the best times to visit.
Once in Makkah or Madinah, worshippers should check the colour indicators at mosque gates and through the app before heading in, choose a gate showing green where possible, and build in flexibility around prayer times. Relying on public transport such as taxis, buses and the Haramain High-Speed Railway, rather than private vehicles, will also help, given the tight restrictions on private cars near the Grand Mosque during the busiest periods.