What Is the Nusuk App?
The Nusuk app (نسك) is the official digital platform of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. It is mandatory for all Umrah and Hajj pilgrims and handles the full pilgrimage journey from pre-departure to return. Without it — and without live mobile data to run it — you cannot enter Masjid al-Haram.
What Nusuk Controls in 2026
Before travel:
- Umrah permit application (required for all non-Saudi national pilgrims)
- Tawaf time slot booking at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah
- Rawdah permit booking at Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah (separate from the Umrah permit — see below)
- Accommodation and transport package arrangements
- Health documentation upload (meningitis vaccination certificate)
During pilgrimage:
- Live entry QR code at Makkah Haram checkpoints (requires live internet — screenshots fail)
- Live entry QR code at Madinah Rawdah checkpoints (requires live internet)
- Real-time gate status and crowd level notifications
- Step-by-step Umrah ritual guidance
- Emergency contacts and official information
After pilgrimage:
- Pilgrimage completion certificate
- Visit history
The Rawdah Permit: What Most Pilgrims Miss
The Rawdah is the blessed area inside Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah, between the Prophet's pulpit (minbar) and his tomb (rawdah). It is one of the most spiritually significant spaces in Islam, and access is managed through a separate Nusuk permit — completely independent of your Umrah permit for the Haram in Makkah.
Critical facts about the Rawdah permit:
- It is a separate booking in the Nusuk app — do not assume your Umrah permit covers it
- Slots open in advance and fill within minutes during peak seasons
- Time slots are gender-separated — men and women have different windows
- Displaying your entry QR code at the Rawdah gate requires a live internet connection (same as the Makkah Haram gate)
- No mobile data = no Rawdah access if you rely on the app QR code
Book your Rawdah permit as early as possible. Check the Nusuk app from the moment your travel dates are confirmed. Slots for popular Ramadan and peak Hajj season dates become available weeks in advance.
Why Nusuk Requires Live Mobile Data
Nusuk is not a fully offline application. Here is precisely why active internet is required:
Dynamic QR codes: Your entry QR code is generated fresh on the server each time. It is not a static image that can be screenshotted. The code refreshes periodically, and at a checkpoint, the scanner reads a code that must match the current server record. An old screenshot will fail.
Server-side permit verification: The checkpoint scanner confirms your permit status against live server records. Your eSIM data connection facilitates this verification in real time.
Real-time notifications: Gate closures, crowd level changes, and time slot reminders only arrive via push notification — which requires a live data connection.
Practical conclusion: Every time you approach a Haram gate in Makkah or a Rawdah entrance in Madinah, your eSIM must be active and set as your default data line.
Step-by-Step Nusuk Setup
Step 1: Download the app. Search "Nusuk" or "نسك" on the App Store or Google Play. Official publisher: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Free.
Step 2: Create your account. Register with your email address. Verify via the code sent to your email.
Step 3: Enter passport details precisely. Upload your passport photo page. Every character of your name, nationality, and passport number must match your physical passport exactly. A single discrepancy causes gate failures.
Step 4: Apply for your Umrah permit. Nusuk → Umrah → Book Umrah → select entry point, Tawaf time slot, and group size. Confirm during off-peak seasons: typically within minutes. During Ramadan and Hajj: apply weeks in advance.
Step 5: Book your Rawdah permit. Nusuk → Ziyarat → Rawdah → select your Madinah visit date and available time slot. Book as early as your dates allow — slots go fast.
Step 6: Install your eSIM and test Nusuk together. With your eSIM active and set as your data SIM, open the Nusuk app. Confirm that both your Umrah permit QR code and your Rawdah permit QR code load correctly. This test at home eliminates gate surprises.
Common Nusuk Problems and Solutions
"QR code not loading" at the gate:
- Confirm eSIM is enabled in Settings (not accidentally switched off)
- Confirm data roaming is enabled on the eSIM line
- Toggle eSIM off and on to force a network refresh
- Toggle Airplane Mode on and off
- Disable any VPN — Nusuk blocks VPN connections at some checkpoints
"Permit not found" error: Compare your passport details in Nusuk character by character against your physical passport. Common causes: middle name included in one but not the other; name transliteration differences; passport number format (leading zeros, spaces).
"Time slot expired": Your allocated Tawaf or Rawdah time slot has passed. Return to the Nusuk booking section and rebook the next available slot. Do this via mobile data or hotel Wi-Fi immediately — do not wait until you return to your hotel.
App crashes during Ramadan nights: Brief server outages occur during the last 10 nights of Ramadan when millions of pilgrims attempt to use Nusuk simultaneously. Close and reopen the app. Keep your booking confirmation email accessible offline as a backup.
Nusuk FAQ
Is the Nusuk app free? Yes. Free to download and use. Umrah permits are also currently free for pilgrims with valid Umrah visas.
Do I need a new Nusuk booking for each visit to the Haram? For each Tawaf visit, you need a valid time slot. Some pilgrims with extended stays in Makkah book multiple slots across their trip.
What is the difference between the Umrah permit and the Rawdah permit? Two separate bookings, two separate Haram locations. Umrah permit = Masjid al-Haram in Makkah (for Tawaf and Sa'i). Rawdah permit = Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah (for the blessed area near the Prophet's tomb).
Can I use the same Nusuk account for Hajj and Umrah? Yes. One account handles multiple pilgrimage types, though Hajj requires a national quota application through your country's Hajj authority — it is not directly bookable as a free permit like Umrah.
What if I lose my phone in Makkah? Your Nusuk account is linked to your email. Log into the app on any compatible phone using your email and password to retrieve your permits and QR codes.
Does Nusuk work without internet? Some cached information is accessible offline, but the live entry QR code at Haram gates requires an active internet connection. Always have your eSIM active before approaching a checkpoint.