Nusuk, Saudi Arabia's official platform for planning and performing Hajj and Umrah, has surpassed 51 million users worldwide, underlining the rapid shift toward a fully digital pilgrimage. The figure, reported by Arab News, marks a sharp rise from around 30 million users in September 2025, with registered users now spread across more than 190 countries.
One platform for the whole journey
Nusuk was developed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah as a single gateway for the pilgrimage. Through the platform, pilgrims can apply for visas, book accommodation and transport, reserve permits and receive on-the-ground guidance inside the holy sites. The aim is to replace a fragmented process, once spread across many intermediaries, with a streamlined digital experience.
For the current season, the rules are stricter than in previous years. Only pilgrims holding a valid Nusuk-issued permit are allowed to enter Masjid al-Haram and the Rawdah in the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. International pilgrims applying for an Umrah visa must also book accommodation through the platform before their application can proceed.
Artificial intelligence manages the crowds
One of the platform's newer features uses artificial intelligence to help manage the vast crowds that gather at Islam's holiest sites. According to reports, the system analyses real-time occupancy at the Grand Mosque and the Rawdah, then automatically pushes eligibility alerts to users' phones when crowd density is low.
The tool is designed to spread visits more evenly across the day, easing congestion at peak times and improving safety. For pilgrims, it offers a practical benefit: a better chance of a calmer, less crowded visit to pray in the Rawdah, an area where demand consistently outstrips available time slots.
Part of a wider modernisation drive
The growth of Nusuk reflects Saudi Arabia's broader ambition under Vision 2030 to expand the number of pilgrims it can host while raising the quality of their experience. The Kingdom aims to welcome tens of millions of Umrah performers each year, a target that depends heavily on technology to manage demand at the holy sites.
The ministry has continued to add services to the platform, including the dedicated Nusuk Umrah service that lets international pilgrims apply for a visa and book services directly, without going through an intermediary.
Tips for using Nusuk
Pilgrims are advised to download the official Nusuk app and create an account well before travelling, ensuring their personal details and documents are accurate. Because entry to the Grand Mosque and the Rawdah now depends on a valid permit, securing that permit through the app in advance is essential.
Enabling notifications allows pilgrims to receive the AI-generated alerts about low crowd density, which can help them time their visits. Travellers should also confirm their accommodation booking is completed on the platform before applying for a visa, and keep digital copies of all permits and confirmations available offline in case of weak signal near the holy sites.