The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched a discount program linked to the Nusuk Card, giving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims access to exclusive offers across the Kingdom. The initiative turns what was already a mandatory pilgrim identity card into a tool for everyday savings during a stay in Saudi Arabia.
The Nusuk Card is a smart identity card issued to pilgrims. It grants entry to the holy sites and provides access to the services pilgrims need to perform their rituals with ease. With the new program, it also unlocks discounts at participating businesses.
Where the discounts apply
According to the ministry, cardholders can access offers across a wide range of sectors. These include retail, transportation, food service, hospitality, healthcare, and selected leisure services.
The aim is to ease the overall cost of the journey. Between accommodation, meals, and local transport, expenses add up quickly for pilgrims, many of whom have saved for years to make the trip. By concentrating savings in the categories pilgrims use most, the ministry positions the card as a practical benefit rather than a symbolic one.
To broaden participation, the ministry has partnered with the Saudi Chambers of Commerce, bringing national businesses from across the economy into the program. The ministry has described the effort as part of the Kingdom's wider commitment to serving pilgrims and improving their experience.
How it works
The Nusuk digital platform is the central hub for the program. Available on iOS and Android, the app lists every participating business so cardholders can see where offers apply.
Using a discount is designed to be simple. After arriving in Saudi Arabia, a pilgrim presents the Nusuk Card at a registered outlet. The merchant scans it, and the discount is applied on the spot. There are no coupons or promo codes to manage. The card itself is the key.
Because the offers are tied to the card and the app, pilgrims can plan ahead. Reviewing participating merchants before or during the trip helps identify where savings are available for meals, ground transport, and essential purchases near the holy sites.
Part of the digital pilgrimage
The discount program reflects the growing role of Nusuk across the pilgrimage. The same digital ecosystem now handles bookings, permits, and services, and the card sits at the center of that system as a single credential for identity, access, and now savings.
For the Kingdom, the initiative aligns with Vision 2030 goals of expanding religious tourism and improving the visitor experience. For pilgrims, it offers a concrete way to stretch a fixed budget during the journey.
A benefit tied to a fixed budget
Many pilgrims travel on carefully managed budgets, having set aside money over long periods for a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Even modest discounts on daily costs such as meals, local transport, and essential goods can add up meaningfully over a stay of several weeks.
By linking the savings to a card that pilgrims already carry, the ministry avoids adding another document or step to an already complex journey. The card that admits a pilgrim to the holy sites is the same one that unlocks the offers, keeping the process simple for travelers who may be unfamiliar with the local market.
Practical tips for pilgrims
Pilgrims should download the official Nusuk app before traveling and keep it updated, since the list of participating merchants can grow over time. Carry the Nusuk Card and keep it accessible, as it is needed both for site access and for discounts.
Before making a purchase, check the app to confirm whether an outlet participates and what the offer is, then ask the merchant to scan the card at payment. As always, deal only with registered outlets and rely on the official app rather than unofficial listings or third-party claims about discounts.