Saudi Arabia's official pilgrimage app, Nusuk, has surpassed 51 million users worldwide, a milestone that underlines how central the platform has become to Hajj and Umrah. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah announced the figure, which marks sharp growth from 30 million users recorded in September 2025.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, users now come from more than 190 countries, and about 60 percent of them are based outside the Kingdom. The scale reflects a deliberate push to move planning, permits and payments onto a single digital system as pilgrim numbers reach record levels.
One app, more than 130 services
Nusuk consolidates over 130 digital services into one platform. Pilgrims can issue Umrah permits, book visits to Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah in the Prophet's Mosque, reserve hotels, buy Haramain High-Speed Railway tickets, arrange flights and check real-time crowd density at the holy sites.
The Ministry describes the app as the digital backbone of its wider transformation, designed to deliver more seamless and better-organized services. For the current Umrah season, Nusuk is mandatory: permits and Rawdah appointments cannot be secured without it, even for those holding a valid visa. That shift has made the app a required companion rather than an optional convenience.
Working without mobile data
One of the most practical additions is the ability to use Nusuk without consuming mobile data. In cooperation with Saudi telecom operators STC, Mobily and Zain, the Ministry activated full access to the app for SIM card users in the Kingdom, including citizens, residents and visitors, without an active data plan or internet connection.
Ministry spokesperson Dr. Ghassan Al-Nouaimi said the initiative lets users issue permits, make reservations and reach other services seamlessly. Core functions available without data include permits for Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah, Haramain train bookings, navigation through Nusuk Maps, the AI-powered Nusuk assistant, and submitting inquiries or reports.
Nusuk chief executive Ahmed Al-Maiman said the feature enhances crowd management, gives instant access to essential information, reduces the number of lost visitors and speeds up permit verification. For pilgrims who arrive without a local data package, the change removes a common source of stress at the busiest moments.
Why the growth matters
The surge in users tracks a record rise in pilgrim traffic. Saudi Arabia has reported strong year-on-year growth in Umrah arrivals, and the Kingdom is steering that demand through digital channels to manage crowds and improve safety. By concentrating permits, transport and crowd data in one place, authorities can spread visitor flows more evenly and respond faster during peak periods.
For the Ministry, the platform is also a planning tool. Data captured through Nusuk feeds accommodation, transport and health arrangements, and the same system now underpins operator contracts and payments for the upcoming Hajj season.
Practical tips for using Nusuk
Download Nusuk from an official app store well before travel and complete identity verification early, since permits for Umrah and the Rawdah depend on a verified profile. Rawdah slots in particular open in limited batches and fill within minutes, so check the app regularly and book as soon as a suitable time appears.
Once in the Kingdom, a local SIM lets you use core Nusuk services even without a data plan, but keep your passport or Iqama handy for verification. Use the app's crowd-density feature to time visits to the Grand Mosque and avoid the hottest, busiest hours, and rely only on Nusuk and other official channels for bookings and payments to steer clear of unlicensed agents.