Saudi Arabia's official pilgrimage platform, Nusuk, has grown into one of the most widely used government apps in the Muslim world. According to Arab News, the app surpassed 51 million users globally as of April 2026, up from 30 million in September 2025, with users drawn from more than 190 countries.
Operated by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Nusuk now serves as the single digital gateway for both Hajj and Umrah. It handles the full journey, from visa issuance and permit booking to hotel and transport reservations and on-ground guidance inside the holy sites. The platform replaced the older Eatmarna app and brings together more than 130 digital services under one account.
A mandatory gateway to the Grand Mosque
For the current season, the rules are stricter than ever. Only pilgrims holding a valid Nusuk-issued permit are allowed to enter Masjid al-Haram and the Rawdah in the Prophet's Mosque. Officials scan the permit's QR code at every gate, and a valid visa on its own is no longer enough to gain entry.
The ministry says the system is designed to cut out middlemen, reduce fraud and give pilgrims direct access to official bookings. It also allows the authorities to manage the flow of worshippers into the holiest sites in Islam, where overcrowding has long been a safety concern.
Working without data or Wi-Fi
One of the most practical recent additions is a zero-data access feature. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, pilgrims can now use the Nusuk app without consuming mobile data or needing a Wi-Fi connection. The feature was developed with the Saudi telecom operators STC, Mobily and Zain, and it applies across Saudi networks.
The benefit is significant for visitors whose roaming or data allowance runs out during a long stay. Essential services such as permits, interactive maps and emergency contacts continue to work offline, which is especially valuable in crowded areas where connectivity can be unreliable.
A digital wallet and AI crowd control
Nusuk has also introduced its own digital wallet. Launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with Saudi National Bank under its NEO brand, and approved by the Saudi Central Bank, it is described as the first international digital wallet built specifically for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The wallet lets travellers top up funds in their home currency, spend in Saudi Riyals, and make contactless payments at participating merchants across Makkah and Madinah, removing the need to carry large amounts of cash.
The app now uses artificial intelligence to track real-time occupancy at the Grand Mosque and the Rawdah. A live traffic-light signal, showing green, orange or red, appears on the app and on digital boards inside the mosque to indicate which gates are clear and which are full. When a chosen entrance reaches capacity, the app pushes an alert suggesting an alternative gate or time slot.
Other features include the Instant Track option, which lets pilgrims near the Prophet's Mosque request a Rawdah slot at short notice, along with interactive maps, a Qibla finder, prayer times and one-tap emergency assistance. The app supports around ten languages, including Arabic, English, Urdu, Turkish, Malay, Indonesian and French.
Practical tips for pilgrims: Download Nusuk only from the official Apple App Store or Google Play listings published by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and avoid unofficial clones. Create your account and link your visa and passport as soon as your visa is issued, rather than waiting until arrival. Save your permit QR code so it opens quickly at the gates, and take a moment before travelling to explore the maps and emergency features so they are familiar when they are needed most.