The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that its official digital platform, the Nusuk app, has surpassed 30 million downloads, a milestone that reflects the growing reliance of pilgrims worldwide on digital tools to plan and perform their journeys. The Ministry said the figure represents an annual increase of around 150 percent, up from 12 million downloads recorded a year earlier.

According to the Ministry, more than 90 percent of users come from outside Saudi Arabia, with pilgrims and visitors from over 190 countries now using the platform. The scale of adoption underlines how central Nusuk has become to the modern Hajj and Umrah experience.

A single gateway for the pilgrim journey

Nusuk now offers more than 100 digital services delivered through integration with a wide range of Hajj and Umrah entities. The Ministry says the app covers every stage of a pilgrim's journey, from initial planning through to the return home.

Among the services available through the platform are booking Umrah, arranging visits to Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah in the Prophet's Mosque, reserving seats on the Haramain High Speed Railway, and booking flights, hotels and enrichment tours. For many international pilgrims, Nusuk has effectively replaced a patchwork of separate agents and websites with one authorised channel.

The platform is the sole official gateway for pilgrims from a large group of countries, including nations across Europe, the Americas, Australia and parts of Asia, to arrange their pilgrimage directly. That role has made downloading and setting up the app one of the first practical steps for prospective pilgrims in those regions.

Why the surge matters

The rapid growth in downloads mirrors a broader push by Saudi authorities to digitise the pilgrimage. In recent seasons the Ministry has introduced a package preference phase, allowing pilgrims to browse and shortlist options before booking windows open, and has tied service provider packages directly to guaranteed visa allocations.

Digital verification tools have also been added, helping speed up document screening so that pilgrims can achieve verified status more quickly. The Nusuk e-wallet, which supports depositing funds in instalments, has made it easier for pilgrims to manage the financial requirements of their trip over time rather than in a single payment.

Taken together, these features point to a system designed to reduce fraud, cut out unauthorised intermediaries and give pilgrims a clearer, more predictable path to Makkah and Madinah. The 30 million download figure suggests that message is reaching a rapidly expanding global audience.

Practical guidance for pilgrims

For anyone planning Umrah or Hajj, the growth of Nusuk carries a clear practical message: the app is no longer optional in many cases, and familiarity with it is essential. Pilgrims should keep the following in mind:

  • Download only the official app. Use the genuine Nusuk platform from the official app stores to avoid fraudulent copies, and be wary of third parties claiming to offer shortcuts.
  • Set up your account early. Complete registration and any identity verification well before you intend to travel, so that permits and bookings are not delayed.
  • Book permits before arriving in Makkah. Umrah permits are issued through the app, and pilgrims are expected to secure them ahead of entering the holy city.
  • Keep your details updated. Ensure passport information, travel dates and departure data are accurate and current within the platform.
  • Explore the full range of services. Beyond permits, the app can handle Rawdah reservations, train tickets and hotel bookings, which can simplify planning considerably.

As pilgrim numbers continue to climb, the Ministry's investment in digital infrastructure appears aimed at keeping pace with demand while improving safety and organisation. For pilgrims, the surest approach is to treat the Nusuk app as a core part of their preparation, learning its features early rather than at the last moment.