Umrah permits · Nusuk account, permit and rules · 2027

Is Nusuk Registration Mandatory for Umrah? What Every Pilgrim Needs in 2027

An Umrah visa costs SAR 300 as the basic fee, and about SAR 600 plus once the other charges are added, yet a valid visa alone can still leave you outside the Grand Mosque. Many pilgrims only learn this at the airport.

I am Rohail Arshad, founder of Hujjaj Umrah Taxi, and I run our rides in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah. Pilgrims plan their pickups around permit times, so I follow the Nusuk rules closely. This guide answers whether Nusuk registration is mandatory for Umrah, what the permit adds, and how to set both up before you fly.

Is Nusuk Registration Mandatory for Umrah?

Yes, in practice. The Umrah permit is mandatory for all pilgrims, whatever their visa type, and you book it in the Nusuk app. You cannot book it without a Nusuk account, so registration comes first. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has said that Umrah requires a permit obtained before you arrive at the Grand Mosque.

Nusuk Account and Umrah Permit Are Two Different Steps

The account is your login. The permit is your timed slot for Umrah, and it is the part that gets checked at the Haram.

• Visa: lets you enter Saudi Arabia.
• Nusuk account: holds your passport and visa details.
• Umrah permit: gives you a date and time for Umrah, and the app shows a QR code for the gates.

If you are travelling from the US, our Saudi visa for American citizens guide explains that application.

Your Visa Needs a Transport Booking

An Umrah visa applied for through an outside agent cannot be issued without a service package, which covers accommodation and transport. Approved packages are listed on the Nusuk Umrah platform. Check what your package includes for transport, such as airport transfers and the Makkah to Madinah leg, and what it leaves out, because you may need to arrange extra rides yourself. Ask for the details in writing before you pay. For rides your package does not cover, such as ziyarat tours or a late-night airport return, a private taxi can fill the gap. Your package and your permit are booked separately, so having one does not give you the other.

How to Register on Nusuk From Abroad

You can register before you travel, as long as you already hold a valid visa. The Ministry FAQ asks for your passport number, visa number, date of birth, nationality, mobile number and email. A verification code goes to your email, so make sure you will have data when you need it. You do not need a Saudi phone number. Our eSIM for Umrah pilgrims guide covers the options.

What Happens If You Arrive Without a Permit

You can be turned away from Masjid al-Haram even with a valid Umrah visa. Permits are checked on arrival through the Tawakkalna and Nusuk apps, so a screenshot is a weak backup. Save the QR code and keep your phone charged.

What Needs No Permit and What Needs a Separate One

Prayer does not need one. The Ministry FAQ says prayers can be performed at any time without a permit, and that there is no prayer permit for the Grand Mosque. The Umrah rituals are different, so learn how to perform Umrah before your slot.

The Rawdah in Madinah has its own rule. It needs its own permit, booked separately from your Umrah permit.

Permit Rules to Know Before You Book

These are the points from the Ministry FAQ that catch people out.

1. One active permit at a time. A new permit comes after the current one expires or is cancelled.
2. No time changes. You cancel before the start time and issue a new permit. You cannot cancel once the time has started.
3. If you arrive late, wait for the first permit to expire, then issue a new one.
4. If you cannot enter Saudi Arabia, the permit cancels itself.
5. Age. Umrah is open to people aged five and above.
6. Companions. You can add 4 companions, not counting dependents, who have no limit. The companion must accept in their own account, and a pending request needs action within 24 hours or it is cancelled.

Confirm your own case in the app, or call the Ministry's care center on 1966 or 920002814.

Match Your Permit Time to Your Flight and Pickup

The permit time cannot be changed, so book it only after your flight is fixed. I recommend booking your permit slot at least 4 hours after your landing time, and 6 hours for families, to cover immigration, baggage and the road to Makkah. A slot that is too tight is easy to miss, and a missed slot cannot be moved, so you must wait until it expires before you can issue a new one. The Jeddah airport arrival process for Umrah pilgrims shows how long each stage can take. Season dates matter too. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has set 9 March 2027 as the last date to issue an Umrah visa for the 1448 season, 23 March 2027 as the last entry date, and 7 April 2027 as the date all Umrah pilgrims must leave.

Plan Your Ride With Hujjaj Umrah Taxi

A permit slot is only useful if you reach the Haram in time. At Hujjaj Umrah Taxi, we track your flight and let you wait for free after landing. We send the driver's name, photo and phone number on WhatsApp the day before. Your driver meets you inside arrivals with a name board, so a late landing does not cost you a taxi.

Our fare is fixed per vehicle, nothing is charged online, and you pay the driver at the end of the ride. Cancellation is free up to 12 hours before pickup. We are registered with Nusuk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an Umrah permit after I land in Saudi Arabia?

You can book it in the Nusuk app once you hold a valid visa. You receive the permit as soon as you book, but it is valid only for the date and time slot you choose. Slots fill quickly at busy times, so booking after landing is risky. Book before you fly, matched to your arrival time, and check the app for open slots.

Is the Umrah permit free?

The Ministry lists no separate fee for the permit. What you pay for is the visa at SAR 300, mandatory medical insurance and the service package the visa needs. Fees can change, so check the Nusuk app before you pay anyone for a permit.

Do I need Tawakkalna as well as Nusuk?

You do not need Tawakkalna to register in Nusuk, according to the Ministry FAQ. Still, permits are shown and verified on arrival through both apps. Install Nusuk first, then follow the Ministry's current advice on whether you also need Tawakkalna for your trip.

Do I need a permit if I am on a tourist visa?

Yes. The Ministry's Umrah guide says all Muslim visitors, regardless of the type of visa, need authorization to perform the Umrah rituals. That means a tourist visa holder books the same permit in the Nusuk app. Confirm the current rule for your visa in the app before booking flights.

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