For millions of Pakistanis, performing Umrah is a lifelong dream — and planning it used to mean embassy queues, travel-agent paperwork, and printed permit forms. Saudi Arabia has moved nearly the whole process onto one official platform: the Nusuk app. If you are planning Umrah from Pakistan in 2026, this guide explains what the app really does, how to register and book your permit, and what to watch out for — including one viral claim you should not believe for a second.
What Is the Nusuk App?
Nusuk (نسك) is the official digital platform of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, built under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 digitization programme. It replaced the older Eatmarna app back in 2022 and now handles the whole pilgrim journey in one place: Umrah permits, Rawdah (Riyaz-ul-Jannah) visit bookings, Hajj packages, visas, flights, hotels, and transport.
The numbers show how central it has become: more than 21.5 million pilgrims have registered on the platform, and it has issued over 34.4 million Umrah permits and 6.4 million Rawdah entries to pilgrims from 213 nationalities. The app holds the #1 spot in Saudi Arabia’s Travel & Local category and has over 10 million downloads with a 4.2-star rating on Google Play.
The Claim to Ignore: “Earn Free Umrah” Through the App
Let us get this out of the way first, because it is all over social media: you cannot earn a free Umrah through the Nusuk app. The app is free to download and use, but Umrah itself — visa, flights, hotels — still costs money, and no app has ever handed out free pilgrimage packages. Pages promising “free Umrah” are using the dream to harvest clicks, sign-ups, and sometimes your personal documents.
The real value of Nusuk is different: it removes the middlemen, the confusion, and the forged paperwork from a journey that already costs lakhs of rupees. If you are saving up for the trip, a clear-eyed plan helps more than fantasy — many Pakistanis fund their travel through work in the Gulf and government-backed schemes like the overseas employment loan scheme.
How to Register on Nusuk (Step by Step)
- Install the official app using the button above. Check the developer name says Ministry of Hajj and Umra — fake “Nusuk” clones exist.
- Choose your registration type. Pakistani applicants usually register with their passport number; Saudi residents use Iqama, and GCC nationals use national ID.
- Enter your details exactly as they appear on your passport — name spelling mismatches are the #1 cause of rejected applications.
- Verify with the OTP sent to your email or phone, then set your password.
- You can also use the web portal at nusuk.sa and log in with the same credentials if you prefer a bigger screen.
Booking Your Umrah Permit and Rawdah Visit
- Open the app and go to the Umrah permit section.
- Pick your planned date. The app shows availability based on the Grand Mosque’s capacity — during Ramadan and peak season, dates fill fast, so book early. Note that during Ramadan pilgrims are generally allowed one Umrah per person to manage crowds.
- For the Rawdah (Riyaz-ul-Jannah) — the area between the Prophet’s (PBUH) house and pulpit in Madinah — book a separate slot. This is the most in-demand booking in the whole system; slots open in limited batches and disappear within hours.
- Download or screenshot your permit QR code. Officials scan it at entry points; without a valid permit you can be turned away even with a visa.
What Else the App Handles
- Umrah visa applications linked to your passport.
- Hajj packages during Hajj season, including domestic-package options.
- Hotels, flights, and ground transport through integrated partners.
- Ritual guidance — step-by-step guides for Umrah rites, prayer times, and navigation around the Two Holy Mosques.
Practical Tips for Pakistani Pilgrims
- Book Rawdah first, worry later. Set a reminder for when new slots open — missing this booking is the most common regret.
- Keep documents consistent. Your passport, visa, and Nusuk registration must all spell your name identically.
- Never share your Nusuk OTP with travel agents. Any agent who asks for it can hijack your bookings.
- Download the app before you fly. Roaming data at Jeddah airport is expensive; do the setup on home WiFi.
- Permissions are heavy. The app asks for location, camera, calendar, and notifications. That is normal for its function (maps, QR scanning, permit reminders), and its data-safety label says it collects but does not share data with third parties.
The Bottom Line
Nusuk turned one of the world’s most paper-heavy journeys into something you can manage from your phone. It will not make Umrah free, and it will not magically find you a Rawdah slot in peak season — but registered early, used through the official channels, and paired with consistent documents, it is the single most important app for any Pakistani planning the journey in 2026.
Is the Nusuk app official?
Yes — it is the official platform of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, with over 10 million downloads. Always verify the developer name reads ‘Ministry of Hajj and Umra’ to avoid fake clones.
Can I get free Umrah through the Nusuk app?
No. The app is free to download, but Umrah costs (visa, flights, hotels) are real. Any page claiming the app itself gives free Umrah is misleading.
How do Pakistanis register on Nusuk?
Pakistani applicants usually register with their passport number — the same passport you will use for your Umrah visa. Saudi residents use Iqama; GCC nationals use national ID.
How do I book a Rawdah visit slot?
Rawdah (Riyaz-ul-Jannah) slots are the most in-demand booking in the system and often disappear within hours of being released. Book this first, before anything else, and set reminders for new slot batches.
Can I use Nusuk on a computer instead of the app?
Yes — the same credentials work on the nusuk.sa website, which is useful on a computer. The app is handier on the ground in Makkah and Madinah for QR-code permits and maps.
