Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 8 Nov 2026, 5:07 AM (Saudi time)
A new Nusuk meal voucher of 20 Saudi riyals per day, embedded in the Umrah visa fee, will raise costs for pilgrims. It starts in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Egypt before a wider rollout.
Saudi Arabia has introduced a QR-code service giving pilgrims real-time crowd density in the Mataf and Masaa, helping them choose less congested times for Tawaf and Saai.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, with Saudi National Bank, has launched Nusuk Wallet, described as the first international digital wallet and bank card built for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
Pakistan has sent the most Umrah pilgrims so far this season, ahead of Indonesia and Iraq, as Saudi Arabia records strong growth in arrivals for 1448 AH.
Saudi authorities have tightened the permit system for visiting the Rawdah inside the Prophet's Mosque, requiring every worshipper to book a free QR-code slot through the Nusuk app.
The Haramain High-Speed Railway links Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah at up to 300 km/h, cutting the journey between the two holy cities to little more than two hours.
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