Saudi Arabia's Nusuk Becomes Major Gateway For Pilgrimage With 40 Million Users

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk, a digital platform for performing haj, umrah, and ziyarah (visitation) to the kingdom, has seen rapid uptake among pilgrims and visitors worldwide, with users tripling to more than 40 million across 190 countries in just one year.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which manages the platform, said Nusuk offers global pilgrims integrated services, including visa issuance, flights, accommodation, transportation, and guided ziyarah tours. Over 90 per cent of its users now come from outside the kingdom.

“The platform has also exceeded 26 million downloads, issued more than 17 million umrah permits and 13 million permits to visit the Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah.

“These achievements are part of more than 130 digital services designed to simplify procedures and enrich the religious and cultural journey of pilgrims,” said the ministry in a statement.

This significant progress, the ministry said, reflects Saudi Arabia’s continuous effort to modernise the haj and umrah ecosystem through innovative and integrated solutions.

The Nusuk platform, along with the Makkah Route initiative implemented by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with several government agencies, stand as leading models of how technology and tight coordination can enhance services for pilgrims.

“During the 2025 haj season, the Makkah Route initiative facilitated the arrival of 314,337 pilgrims via 899 flights landing at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah,” it said.

On the upcoming Hajj 2025 Conference and Exhibition scheduled November 9 to 12 in Jeddah, the ministry said the event is further testament to the kingdom’s commitment to developing the haj and umrah ecosystem.

The conference will showcase the latest national experiences and innovative initiatives, with a particular highlight on Nusuk and the Makkah Route as models of successful combination of digital advancement and on-ground execution.

“Through these pioneering initiatives, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in crowd management and in serving visitors to the Two Holy Mosques – an endeavour inspired by Vision 2030, which sees serving pilgrims as both an honour and a national duty,” the statement read. Saudi Vision 2030 is a government programme to achieve increased economy, social, and cultural diversification.

-- BERNAMA