What is Nusuk Umrah, the digital service for pilgrims launched by Saudi Arabia?

Umrah has always held deep spiritual importance for Muslims around the world. But planning the journey has often been a long and complicated process.

To change that, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a new service called Nusuk Umrah.

This digital platform allows pilgrims to apply for visas, book flights, accommodation, and other services, all from a single place. The initiative also ties into Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to make religious travel smoother, more accessible, and more efficient for everyone.

Here’s a closer look at what Nusuk Umrah offers and how it connects to the country’s pilgrimage plans

All about Nusuk Umrah

According to the ministry, Nusuk Umrah is designed to make the pilgrimage journey easier and more accessible for Muslims around the world.

Through this service, pilgrims outside the Kingdom can directly apply for Umrah visas and book their pilgrimage services online, without relying on middlemen.

The platform provides a wide range of options. Pilgrims can either choose ready-made integrated packages or customise their own by selecting individual services such as visas, accommodation, transportation, cultural tours, and support services. The idea is to give people flexibility while improving service quality and enriching their overall experience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Nusuk Umrah can be accessed via its official website, umrah.nusuk.sa, or through mobile apps available on iOS, Android, and Huawei platforms. The interface is modern, multilingual, currently supporting seven languages, and integrated with government systems to ensure a smooth, digital-first process.

From application to visa issuance, the platform covers all stages of the journey. It also provides multiple payment options, making the entire process more convenient for users.

While it introduces a new digital channel, Nusuk Umrah does not aim to replace existing accredited agents; rather, it offers pilgrims more choice in how they plan their trip.

The launch also ties into Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 goals, which aim to welcome more Muslims to the Kingdom while strengthening its position as a global religious and cultural hub.

As per the Saudi Press Agency, by embracing digital solutions, the country also hopes to diversify its economy beyond oil and create a more sustainable future.

Earlier this year, the Kingdom announced that Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) citizens and residents could perform Umrah all year round.

This allowed people from the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar to enter Saudi Arabia anytime for Umrah, provided they applied for permits through the official Nusuk application.

Hajj & Umrah pilgrimage

Saudi Arabia, home to Makkah and Madinah, two of the holiest sites in Islam, welcomes millions of worshippers each year.

Among the pilgrimages, Umrah is a non-mandatory journey to Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year. Unlike Hajj, which takes place only during specific days in the Islamic calendar, Umrah is shorter and less complex, yet holds immense spiritual value for Muslims across the world.

According to data from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics, more than 15 million pilgrims performed Umrah in the first quarter of 2025 alone.

Of these, 6.5 million arrived from abroad, while 8.7 million were domestic pilgrims. In the same year, the Kingdom also hosted over 1.6 million pilgrims from 180 countries for the annual Hajj.

With input from agencies