You’ve finally booked the flight. The excitement is real. But then someone mentions the Nusuk app for Umrah, and suddenly you’re staring at your phone wondering if you actually need another app just to pray. Honestly, the short answer is yes. But the long answer is a bit more complicated because how this app works changes almost every season.
I’ve seen people show up in Makkah thinking their visa is all they need. It’s a messy surprise when they realize they can’t get into the Rawdah in Madinah without a digital QR code that’s currently hidden behind a buggy login screen. If you're planning your trip for 2026, the Nusuk app isn't just an "extra." It’s basically your digital passport to the most important parts of the journey.
Why the Nusuk App for Umrah is Actually Mandatory
A few years ago, you could just walk up to most places. Not anymore. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has gone full digital. They want to control the crowds, which makes sense when you have millions of people trying to stand in the same ten-square-meter spot at the same time.
Basically, the app handles two big things: your permit to perform Umrah and your permit to visit the Noble Rawdah in the Prophet’s Mosque.
The Rawdah Slot Scramble
This is where most people get stressed. You can’t just walk into the Rawdah. You need a slot. These slots are like concert tickets for a superstar—they go fast. In 2026, the rule is generally that you can only book one Rawdah visit every 365 days. If you mess up your timing or miss your slot because your bus was late, you might not get another chance during that trip.
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The app is kinda finicky about this. Sometimes it says "no slots available" for days, and then suddenly at 1:00 PM on a Friday, thirty spots open up. It’s a game of persistence.
Setting Things Up Without Losing Your Mind
First off, don't wait until you’re standing in the hotel lobby in Jeddah to download this. Get it now. It’s on the App Store and Google Play.
Once you open it, you’ll see options for "Citizen/Resident" or "Visitor." If you aren't living in Saudi, you're a visitor. You’ll need your passport number and your visa number.
Pro tip: Use the exact same email and phone number you used when you applied for your visa. Mismatched data is the number one reason the app throws those annoying "User Not Found" errors.
The Registration Hurdle
- The Passport Photo: Make sure it’s a clear shot. If it’s blurry, the AI won't verify you.
- The Visa Number: This is the 10-digit number on your issued visa, not your application number.
- International Roaming: You need an OTP (One-Time Password) to sign in. If your phone can’t receive SMS in Saudi, you’re stuck. Many pilgrims buy a local Saudi SIM (STC or Mobily) as soon as they land to avoid this.
Booking Your Umrah Permit
Actually, here’s a secret: as of early 2026, many security guards at the Umrah entrance are focusing more on your Ihram (the white cloth) than the app. But don’t rely on that. If the crowds are heavy, they will start scanning QR codes at the gate.
When you book your Umrah permit in the app, it’ll show you a calendar with colors.
- Green: Low crowding.
- Yellow: Moderate.
- Red: High crowding (usually around prayer times).
Try to pick a green slot. It sounds obvious, but performing Tawaf when the Mataf isn't a literal human traffic jam makes a huge difference in your spiritual experience.
The "Instant Track" Trick for Madinah
If you’re in Madinah and the app says there are no slots for the Rawdah, don't give up. There’s this thing people call "Instant Track" or just "the refresh dance."
Slots often refresh at the top of the hour—think :00 or :30. I’ve heard from dozens of travelers that they found a spot by just refreshing the calendar at 12:01 PM or 1:01 PM. Also, keep your GPS on. The app sometimes works better when it knows you’re actually in the city.
Technical Glitches You’ll Probably Face
Let’s be real: the app crashes. A lot.
If the screen goes white or the "issue permit" button doesn't respond, don't keep tapping it. Close the app, clear your cache if you're on Android, or just restart your phone.
Screenshot everything. Once you get a permit, take a screenshot of the QR code immediately. You don't want to be standing at the gate of the Prophet’s Mosque with 500 people behind you, waiting for a 3G signal to load a webpage that won't open. A screenshot is usually accepted by the guards as long as the date and time are clearly visible.
What about the "365 Day Rule"?
There’s a lot of chatter about this. Currently, the Ministry enforces a rule where you can only get one Rawdah permit per year. This is to give everyone a fair shot. If you try to book a second one, the app will simply tell you that you've already used your quota. There isn't really a "hack" for this, so make that one visit count.
Actionable Steps for a Smooth Trip
Don't let the tech overshadow the pilgrimage. It's easy to get obsessed with the phone screen, but remember why you're there. To make the digital side easy so you can focus on the spiritual side, do this:
- Verify your account the second your visa is issued. Don't wait.
- Check for app updates before you leave your home country.
- Buy a Saudi SIM or an eSIM (like Airalo or a local one) immediately upon arrival. Reliable data is the only way to keep Nusuk running.
- Log in during "off-peak" hours (like 3:00 AM Saudi time) to book your slots; the servers are less stressed then.
- Keep your phone charged. Bring a power bank. If your phone dies, your "permit" dies with it.
If you run into serious trouble, look for the Nusuk help desks. They usually have small booths near the main entrances of the Harams in both Makkah and Madinah. The staff there can sometimes bypass "stuck" registrations if you show them your physical passport and valid visa.