The Nusuk application, Saudi Arabia's official digital platform for Hajj and Umrah, has surpassed 51 million users worldwide. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah announced the milestone at the third Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Madinah, underlining how central the app has become to the modern pilgrimage.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the platform has grown rapidly, rising from 30 million users in September 2025 to more than 51 million by spring 2026. Its reach now spans over 190 countries, reflecting the global nature of the worshippers it serves.
One App, More Than 130 Services
Developed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Nusuk consolidates a wide range of pilgrim services into a single platform. It brings together more than 130 digital services, including Umrah permit issuance, bookings to visit Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah in Madinah, hotel reservations, Haramain train tickets, flight arrangements, and real-time crowd density monitoring.
For pilgrims, the practical effect is significant. Tasks that once required separate offices, agents, and paperwork can now be handled from a phone. The app has become the main gateway for entering Makkah, the Grand Mosque, and the holy sites, with permits issued and verified digitally.
The platform also gives organisers a clearer view of where pilgrims are and when. Real-time crowd data helps the authorities ease congestion at peak times, redirect foot traffic, and respond more quickly to incidents. What looks to the traveller like a simple booking screen sits on top of a large logistical system coordinating millions of movements across the holy sites.
The Engine Behind New Visa Rules
Nusuk's growth sits at the heart of recent changes to how Umrah is performed. Under current policy, holders of tourist, transit, and personal visit visas can perform Umrah provided their visa is linked to Nusuk and a permit is issued through the app before they reach Makkah. International pilgrims are also required to arrange accommodation through the platform before applying for an Umrah visa.
These rules depend entirely on a reliable digital backbone. The surge past 51 million users shows that the infrastructure is scaling to meet demand, as Saudi Arabia works toward its goal of welcoming far larger numbers of pilgrims in the years ahead.
The pace of growth is striking. Adding more than 20 million users in roughly half a year points to both rising pilgrim demand and a deliberate push to make the app the single point of contact for every stage of the journey. Saudi Arabia has set ambitious long-term targets for the number of Umrah and Hajj visitors it hopes to host each year, and a platform that can handle tens of millions of users is essential to reaching them.
What It Means for Pilgrims
The shift to digital tools changes how travellers prepare. A pilgrim's journey now begins not at the airport but in the app, where permits, bookings, and appointments are arranged in advance. This reduces uncertainty on arrival and helps the authorities distribute crowds across the day and across the holy sites.
It also places more responsibility on the individual to keep their information accurate and their permits current. A complete and verified Nusuk profile is now as important to a smooth pilgrimage as a valid passport or visa.
Practical Tips for Using Nusuk
Travellers planning Umrah should download the official Nusuk app early and complete their profile well before departure. Issue your Umrah permit through the app before heading to Makkah, as entry to the Grand Mosque depends on it.
Book Rawdah visits, hotels, and transport through the platform where possible, and take screenshots of confirmed permits in case of poor signal near the holy sites. Keep the app updated, and double-check that your visa is correctly linked. A little preparation in the app translates into far less stress once the rituals begin.