The Direct Answer

Nusuk (nusuk.sa) is Saudi Arabia's official government digital platform — operated by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — that every Indian Umrah pilgrim must use to register for Umrah, obtain the Umrah permit, book Masjid al-Haram entry slots, facilitate the Umrah e-visa, verify their tour operator's Saudi authorization, and access all pilgrimage-related services before and during their visit to Makkah. Nusuk registration was made mandatory for all international Umrah pilgrims in 2022. An Indian pilgrim who arrives at Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport without a valid Nusuk permit is denied entry into Masjid al-Haram, rendering Umrah impossible regardless of having a valid visa. Indian pilgrims represent the largest non-Arab user group on Nusuk — approximately 2.2 million Indian Umrah pilgrims were registered on the platform in 2024.

18
Nusuk services available to pilgrims
2.2M
Indian pilgrims on Nusuk (2024)
24–72 hrs
Umrah e-visa processing time
300+
Makkah hotels listed on platform

What Is Nusuk and Why Must Every Indian Umrah Pilgrim Use It?

Nusuk (نُسُك) is the Arabic word for 'rites of worship' — adopted as the brand name for Saudi Arabia's unified digital pilgrimage management platform launched in 2021. It consolidates Umrah registration, visa facilitation, sacred site booking, operator verification, and pilgrim health data into a single government-operated system. Before Nusuk, Indian pilgrims were required to navigate four separate systems: the Muqeem portal (residency), eHajj gateway (quota management), Eatmarna app (Masjid al-Haram booking), and Tawakkalna (health verification). Nusuk replaced all four for Umrah pilgrims beginning 2022.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah integrated Nusuk with three Saudi government databases: the Jawazat (Passports) database, Saudi MOH's Sehhaty platform, and the Saudi Tourism Authority's hotel licensing database — creating a seamless single-system verification pipeline for every pilgrim.

Is Nusuk Mandatory for Indian Umrah Pilgrims?

Nusuk registration is mandatory for every Indian Umrah pilgrim. A valid Nusuk permit QR code is verified at all Masjid al-Haram entry gates — pilgrims who cannot present it are denied entry regardless of having a valid Saudi visa, airline ticket, or hotel booking. The mandatory status was enforced through a joint circular from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and Saudi Civil Aviation Authority (GACA) in Ramadan 1443 AH (April 2022), directing all international airlines operating Saudi Umrah routes to verify Nusuk registration before issuing boarding passes.

There are two registration routes. The tour-operator route: the operator completes Nusuk registration on the pilgrim's behalf and provides the permit QR code before departure — individual pilgrim registration is not required. The independent route: the pilgrim registers on Nusuk directly, completing full 9-step self-registration.

Critical for Indian Pilgrims

An Indian pilgrim who arrives at Jeddah airport without a valid Nusuk permit QR code will be denied entry into Masjid al-Haram at every gate. The Umrah visa alone does not grant access — the Nusuk permit is a separate mandatory digital document verified independently at all mosque entry points.

Nusuk vs. Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah

Nusuk is wholly owned and operated by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — it is not a third-party commercial platform. It is the sole official government channel for Umrah registration with no legitimate alternative. Data is governed by Saudi Arabia's Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL, Royal Decree M/19 of 1443 AH) under the Saudi Government Cloud (G-Cloud) framework. Technical infrastructure is managed by the National Information Center (NIC) with 99.9% system availability during peak Umrah seasons. The Ministry updates Nusuk features, pricing, and operator listings every Umrah season — Indian pilgrims must verify current features at nusuk.sa.

Is Nusuk the Same as Tawakkalna?

No. Nusuk is the pilgrimage management platform for Umrah and Hajj. Tawakkalna is Saudi Arabia's general digital identity, health, and government services app for Saudi residents and citizens. They share a single sign-on (SSO) integration, but serve distinct purposes. International pilgrims — including Indian pilgrims — use Nusuk independently of Tawakkalna. Tawakkalna requires a Saudi National ID (Iqama or Huwwiyya) for full functionality. Indian pilgrims create a standalone Nusuk account using their Indian passport number and Indian mobile number — no Tawakkalna account or Saudi residency required.

What Services Does Nusuk Provide to Indian Umrah Pilgrims?

Nusuk provides 18 services across 5 domains — covering every aspect of the Indian pilgrim's journey from registration to spiritual visits to return logistics.

DomainServiceIndian Pilgrim Application
Registration Umrah permit issuance Generates QR code for Masjid al-Haram entry
Registration Operator verification Confirms Indian tour operator's Saudi Ministry authorization
Registration Mahram declaration Submits Mahram relationship for women below 45
Sacred Site Booking Masjid al-Haram timed entry slot Books specific 2-hour entry windows during peak seasons
Sacred Site Booking Masjid an-Nabawi visit scheduling Books non-peak Madinah mosque entry
Sacred Site Booking Rawdah al-Sharifah visit slot Books the garden of Paradise section inside the Prophet's Mosque
Sacred Site Booking Hateem area access Books specific low-crowd Tawaf times (during low-crowd periods)
Accommodation Hotel booking near Masjid al-Haram Lists and books 300+ Makkah hotels within 2 km
Accommodation Madinah hotel booking Lists hotels near Masjid an-Nabawi
Transport Makkah–Madinah bus booking Books Haramain bus service (non-rail option)
Health & Safety Electronic health declaration Submits vaccination certificates and chronic conditions
Health & Safety Wristband QR health data Stores emergency medical data on the Nusuk wristband
Health & Safety Wheelchair booking Reserves motorized wheelchair inside Masjid al-Haram
Spiritual Zamzam water delivery Orders up to 5 litres Zamzam for home delivery to India
Spiritual Qurbani booking Books Eid animal sacrifice through Ministry-authorized slaughterhouses
Spiritual Hajj packages for future season Browses and enquires about next-year Hajj packages
Commemorative E-certificate of Umrah completion Generates a digital Umrah completion certificate
Commemorative Digital Umrah guide Downloads official Ministry Umrah guide in 12 languages

Umrah Permit (Registration Services)

The Umrah permit is the single most critical document for the Indian pilgrim's Masjid al-Haram entry. It is issued as a digital QR code after: account verification + health declaration submission + (if applicable) operator confirmation. Valid for one Umrah visit — a second Umrah during the same trip requires a new permit (no additional charge). The permit QR code stores 9 data points: pilgrim name, passport number, nationality, Umrah validity window, Miqat station, health clearance status, Mahram linkage (if applicable), operator UOL number, and Masjid al-Haram entry slot. Any data discrepancy — name mismatch, expired validity, incomplete health declaration — triggers secondary verification and potential entry denial.

Masjid al-Haram Entry Slot Booking

During Ramadan, entry is managed through 12 two-hour windows per day (00:00–02:00 through 22:00–00:00). Each slot is capped at a maximum of 50,000 pilgrims — preventing the 130,000-per-hour Mataf congestion recorded pre-2020. Slot booking opens 3 days before the intended Tawaf date. Late-night slots (02:00–06:00) carry 60–70% lower crowd density than day and evening slots. Outside Ramadan, Masjid al-Haram entry is unrestricted — the Nusuk permit QR code is sufficient without pre-booking. A pilgrim arriving outside their booked Ramadan slot must rebook through the Nusuk app.

Zamzam Water Home Delivery

Indian pilgrims may order up to 5 litres of sealed Zamzam water per passport for delivery to a registered Indian postal address within 15–21 business days. Cost: approximately SAR 80–120 (₹1,750–₹2,600) including international shipping. The service was launched in 2022 to prevent pilgrims from carrying Zamzam in unsealed containers — banned by the Saudi Aviation Authority after 2017. Zamzam is sealed at the pumping station by Ministry-certified operators in tamper-evident containers and dispatched via Saudi Post SPL with tracking. Pilgrims who prefer not to use delivery may collect up to 5 litres from Zamzam dispensing stations inside Masjid al-Haram at no cost.

Transport and Accommodation Services

Nusuk lists 300+ Makkah properties within 2 km of Masjid al-Haram and 180+ Madinah properties within 1 km of Masjid an-Nabawi — with real-time availability, pricing, distance, star rating, and verified guest reviews. Ministry-regulated pricing ensures hotels cannot charge above Ministry-set maximum tariffs, protecting Indian pilgrims from price gouging. Haramain High Speed Railway booking integration (SAR 95 one way, 2-hour journey) was added in a 2024 platform update. Airport transfer pre-booking allows Indian pilgrims to select their Jeddah arrival terminal, flight number, and hotel destination — matching them with licensed Saudi pilgrim transport operators at regulated rates.

Which Indian Umrah Providers Does Nusuk List?

Nusuk lists only Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah-licensed Indian Umrah service providers. Each operator must hold a valid Umrah Operator License (UOL) issued jointly by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and India's Ministry of Minority Affairs. The Ministry maintains two public directories on Nusuk: (1) the Saudi-licensed operator list (companies with a Saudi UOL number), and (2) the India-specific bilateral partner list (Indian operators registered under the India-Saudi Umrah Bilateral Agreement administered by India's MEA).

Booking through an operator appearing in both directories provides maximum legal protection — any dispute is addressable through both Indian and Saudi regulatory channels. Booking through an operator in neither directory is illegal under Saudi regulations — Nusuk blocks visa facilitation for pilgrims booked through unlisted operators.

How Saudi Ministry Verifies Indian Providers on Nusuk

The annual licensing process follows four steps: (1) Financial solvency audit (minimum SAR 500,000 operational capital). (2) Physical office verification in India. (3) Customer complaint history review from the prior season. (4) Bilateral clearance from India's Ministry of External Affairs. A licensed provider receives a unique 8-digit Saudi UOL number displayed on their Nusuk profile, visible to all Indian pilgrims searching the platform.

UOL revocation is automatic upon three or more substantiated pilgrim complaints in a single Umrah season — the operator is immediately removed from the Nusuk directory. Any Indian pilgrim can verify a UOL by entering it in the 'Verify Provider' field on nusuk.sa — displaying license status, contact details, and complaint history in real time.

How to Find a Verified Umrah Provider on Nusuk

Follow these 4 steps: (1) Log into the Nusuk app or nusuk.sa. (2) Select 'Find Providers.' (3) Filter by country of origin: India. (4) Review listed operators by UOL number, customer rating, package offerings, and departure city.

Each operator listing displays 6 data fields: company name, UOL number, registered Indian city, available departure cities, package price range, and aggregate customer rating (1–5 stars). Filter by departure city first — not all operators serve all 9 Indian embarkation cities. The 'Contact Operator' button sends enquiries to the operator's registered email and phone without exposing the pilgrim's personal data to third parties.

What Happens If a Pilgrim Books Through an Unlisted Provider?

Total Consequence — No Partial Remedy

An Indian pilgrim who books Umrah through an unlisted provider cannot obtain a Nusuk Umrah permit — the operator UOL field returns an invalid/unverifiable number.

The consequence is total: no Nusuk permit → no Umrah visa → no Masjid al-Haram entry → Umrah is impossible regardless of flight or hotel arrangements.

Indian pilgrims lose the full package amount paid to unlisted operators — there is no Saudi Ministry refund guarantee and no India Ministry of Minority Affairs Umrah consumer protection coverage for unlisted operator bookings. Cross-check against BOTH the Nusuk whitelist AND the Ministry blacklist at moh.gov.sa/Umrah before making any payment.

Which Umrah Packages Does Nusuk List for Indian Pilgrims?

Nusuk lists packages from all Ministry-licensed Indian operators within its integrated marketplace, displaying real-time package availability, itinerary details, hotel names and star ratings, per-person pricing in INR, included services, operator UOL number, and customer ratings on a single comparison page. It is the only platform where Indian pilgrims can compare verified packages without risk of encountering unauthorized operators. The Ministry requires all listed packages to display a minimum of 8 data fields: departure city, departure date, return date, total duration, hotel names and distances from Masjid al-Haram, Madinah inclusion status, total per-person cost in SAR and INR.

What Package Information Does Nusuk Display?

Each Nusuk package displays 12 data fields: departure city/airport, outbound/return flight details (airline, time, duration), Makkah hotel (name, star rating, distance in meters), Madinah hotel (or 'Not Included'), nights at each city, meal plan (room-only / bed+breakfast / full board), room sharing type (2/3/4-share), ground transport details, Mutawwif service description, Mahram accommodation policy, total per-person price in INR and SAR, and booking payment deadline.

Priority fields when comparing packages: (1) Hotel distance from Masjid al-Haram (under 500 m = premium; 500–1,500 m = standard; above 1,500 m = 20–30 min walk). (2) Meal inclusion (full board eliminates separate meal budgeting). (3) Mutawwif ratio (1:20–25 = optimal; 1:40–50 = adequate for experienced pilgrims).

How to Compare Umrah Packages on Nusuk

Nusuk provides three comparison tools: (1) Side-by-side comparison (maximum 3 packages simultaneously). (2) Filter system (departure city, budget range, hotel star rating, Madinah inclusion, duration). (3) Saved packages feature (bookmark up to 10 packages for later review). The most effective strategy for Indian pilgrims applies 3 sequential filters: departure city first → duration → hotel distance. The 'Request Callback' feature lets pilgrims enter requirements in a structured form — the platform sends it to up to 3 listed operators simultaneously. The Nusuk platform is free to use for all registered pilgrims.

Can Indian Pilgrims Book a Package Directly Without a Tour Operator?

India-Specific Bilateral Requirement

No — currently not possible for Indian passport holders. The India-Saudi bilateral Umrah agreement requires all Indian Umrah pilgrims to travel through a licensed operator holding both Indian MEA registration and a Saudi UOL number. This is India-specific — UK, USA, UAE, and 50+ other nationalities can register as independent pilgrims. Exception: an Indian resident traveling on a non-Indian passport (OCI card holder) may qualify for independent registration under the passport country's bilateral agreement — verify individually at nusuk.sa.

How Does Nusuk Facilitate the Umrah Visa for Indian Pilgrims?

Nusuk facilitates the Umrah e-visa through a 5-step automated process: (1) Operator UOL verification. (2) Pilgrim passport data validation against Saudi Jawazat records. (3) Health declaration review by Saudi MOH Sehha system. (4) Meningococcal vaccination certificate upload verification. (5) Automatic visa issuance within 24–72 hours of successful completion. The entire process happens within Nusuk — no Saudi consulate visit, no physical documents to embassy, no physical visa sticker. The e-visa is issued as a digital document accessible in the Nusuk app under 'My Visas', displaying the visa number, validity dates, permitted entry port, and maximum stay duration.

Tour operators initiate the Nusuk visa process on behalf of clients after receiving all required documents — most operators complete the process within 48–96 hours of receiving a complete document set.

Umrah e-Visa Process — 7 Steps

1
Passport Data Entry
Operator enters pilgrim's name exactly as printed — including middle name, date of birth, passport number, and expiry date. Nusuk cross-checks against the Saudi Jawazat database in real time. Any discrepancy — even a middle-name spelling variation — triggers a mismatch alert and halts visa processing immediately.
2
Photograph Upload
Recent passport-sized photograph required: JPEG, white background, face clearly visible, 35×35 mm, minimum 200 DPI. Nusuk runs an automated facial recognition check against the passport photo. A significant age-related discrepancy between the uploaded photo and the passport photo flags the application for manual MOH review.
3
Health Declaration Completion
Answer all 12 health questions covering chronic conditions, current medications, mobility status, disability type, and active infectious disease symptoms. Any flagged answer routes the application to Saudi MOH Sehha for a 24–48 hour manual review. Truthful declaration of chronic conditions triggers review but does NOT automatically deny the permit.
4
Vaccination Certificate Upload
Upload meningococcal ACYW135 certificate (JPEG or PDF, clearly showing pilgrim name, vaccine type, date administered, and healthcare provider stamp). Sehha verifies against the WHO International Vaccination Certificate Registry. Unmatched certificates trigger manual verification, adding 48–72 hours to processing.
5
Mahram Declaration (Women Below 45)
The Mahram enters his passport details and the relationship category: husband, father, full brother, son, paternal uncle, maternal uncle, or first-degree paternal male cousin. Both accounts are linked — the female pilgrim's visa approval is conditional on the Mahram simultaneously holding a valid Nusuk permit.
6
Operator UOL Confirmation
The system auto-populates the operator UOL from the operator's Nusuk account — the pilgrim cannot manually enter a different UOL. This design prevents fraudulent operator-association by pilgrims who booked through unlisted operators and are attempting to circumvent the system.
7
Visa Fee Payment
SAR 300 (₹6,600 approximately) via Nusuk payment gateway — Mada, Visa, Mastercard, or operator account settlement. Non-refundable after visa issuance. Fully refundable if the visa is rejected. Indian pilgrims who pay through their operator settle in INR; the operator handles SAR conversion and Nusuk settlement.

Documents Required from Indian Pilgrims

DocumentSpecificationConsequence of Non-Compliance
Indian passport Ordinary (blue), minimum 6 months validity from arrival date Visa rejected — passport renewal required
Meningococcal ACYW135 certificate Administered minimum 10 days before arrival; quadrivalent ACYW135 only Visa rejected — vaccination required
Passport photograph White background, JPEG, 35×35 mm, within 6 months Facial recognition mismatch — resubmission required
Health declaration All 12 questions answered; no active infectious disease MOH review triggered — processing delayed 24–72 hours
Operator package confirmation Operator must hold valid active UOL number Visa rejected — operator verification fails
Mahram declaration (women below 45) Mahram's passport details + relationship category Visa conditionally issued — Mahram permit must also be active

How Long Does Visa Processing Take?

Standard processing time is 24–72 hours when all 5 documents are complete, correctly uploaded, and free from discrepancies. Processing extends to 5–7 working days when any document triggers a manual review flag. Fastest processing conditions: meningococcal certificate in WHO registry + photograph passes facial recognition + no flagged health conditions + active operator UOL.

During peak Umrah seasons — Ramadan, Dhul Qa'dah, and early Dhul Hijjah — processing is 40–60% slower, with times extending to 3–7 days even for complete applications. Large operator batches (100+ pilgrims submitted simultaneously) add an additional 24–48 hours for pilgrims further down the queue.

How Does an Indian Pilgrim Create a Nusuk Account? Step by Step

1
Download the Nusuk App
Download 'Nusuk' from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Official app publisher: 'Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia.' Multiple unofficial 'Nusuk' apps exist in both stores — always verify the publisher name before downloading. Downloading the wrong app will not generate a valid Umrah permit.
2
Select 'International Pilgrim' Registration
On the welcome screen, select 'International Pilgrim' — not 'Saudi Citizen' or 'Resident'. Selecting the wrong user type requires full account deletion and re-registration. User type cannot be changed after initial selection.
3
Enter Passport Details
Enter name exactly as printed — including middle name — date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY), passport number, passport expiry date, and nationality (India). Every character must match the passport. A single character discrepancy causes visa rejection during the Jawazat cross-check.
4
Verify Mobile Number via OTP
Enter Indian mobile number with +91 prefix. Nusuk sends a 6-digit OTP via SMS — valid for 5 minutes. Pilgrims traveling through tour operators may use the operator's Nusuk-linked account — confirm with the operator before beginning individual registration.
5
Upload Passport-Sized Photograph
JPEG, white background, 35×35 mm. Nusuk facial recognition runs automatically — approval notification is delivered within 30 seconds of a successful upload. Poor image quality, coloured backgrounds, or significant age discrepancy between photo and passport triggers a rejection requiring resubmission.
6
Select 'Umrah' as Pilgrimage Type
Choose 'Umrah' from the dropdown. Selecting 'Hajj' generates a different permit type valid only during Hajj season — re-registration is required if the wrong type is selected. The two permit types cannot be converted between each other.
7
Complete the Health Declaration
Answer all 12 health questions honestly. A pilgrim with chronic conditions who answers truthfully receives a flagged declaration — this triggers Saudi MOH review but does not automatically deny the permit. Providing false health information carries a criminal penalty under Saudi law plus a 3-year re-entry ban upon detection.
8
Submit Mahram Details (Women Below 45)
Enter the Mahram's full name as in his passport, relationship, and Nusuk account number. If the Mahram has not registered yet: the system generates a Mahram invitation code — the Mahram registers using this code to link both accounts. Women aged 45 and above skip this step entirely.
9
Receive the Umrah Permit QR Code
After all steps are verified, the digital Umrah permit is generated in 'My Permits' — displaying pilgrim name, permit number, Umrah validity window, and the scannable QR code. Download and save offline. Masjid al-Haram gate scanners require the QR code to display clearly on a phone screen or a printed sheet — carry a printed backup.

How Does Nusuk Handle the Mahram Verification Requirement for Indian Women?

Nusuk enforces the Mahram requirement for Indian women below 45 through a linked-account system. A female pilgrim's Nusuk permit is marked 'conditionally valid' until the Mahram's simultaneously valid Nusuk permit is confirmed — at which point both receive 'fully active' status. Nusuk operationalizes the Saudi policy requirement by requiring both accounts to be linked and simultaneously valid for the entire Umrah trip duration.

A female pilgrim whose Mahram's permit expires — because the Mahram leaves Saudi Arabia before her — receives an automatic permit status downgrade. She should contact the Indian Consulate in Jeddah and the Nusuk support hotline at +966-920-000-814 to resolve the issue before attempting Masjid al-Haram entry.

Mahram Declaration Process

Three inputs are required from the female pilgrim at registration:

  1. Mahram's full name as printed in his passport
  2. Relationship category: husband, father, full brother, son, paternal uncle, maternal uncle, or first-degree paternal male cousin
  3. Mahram's Nusuk account number or invitation code

Nusuk independently verifies the Mahram's identity against his passport data. A common issue for Indian pilgrims is the transliteration of Arabic names — 'Mohammad' vs. 'Mohammed' vs. 'Muhammad' — both accounts must use the identical spelling across all Nusuk fields. Name mismatch resolution: contact Nusuk support at +966-920-000-814 (24-hour multilingual hotline), typically resolved within 24–48 hours.

Nusuk Rules for Indian Women Aged 45 and Above

Women aged 45 and above are exempt from the Mahram requirement — they register as independent pilgrims and receive a standalone Umrah permit without requiring a Mahram's linked account. This age-45 exemption was implemented by Saudi Arabia in 2021 for all nationalities, replacing the prior system that required Mahrams for all women regardless of age.

Women aged 45+ traveling without a Mahram must travel as part of an organized Umrah group — the Nusuk registration must list the licensed Indian operator's UOL number and confirm group membership. For independent travel (no operator group), three conditions must be evidenced in the health declaration: physical ability to complete the rites independently, no cognitive impairment, and a Saudi emergency contact number registered in the Nusuk account.

How Does Nusuk Facilitate the Madinah Visit for Indian Pilgrims?

Nusuk provides three integrated Madinah services: (1) Masjid an-Nabawi general entry slot booking. (2) Rawdah al-Sharifah specific time-slot booking. (3) Madinah hotel reservation within 1 km of Masjid an-Nabawi. The Madinah visit is not a Umrah rite — it is an independent spiritual act. Nusuk's Madinah services are optional and additional to the Umrah permit. No new permit or payment is required for Madinah services — they are available to any registered Nusuk account holder with an active Umrah permit for the travel period.

How to Book a Rawdah Visit on Nusuk

"Between my house and my pulpit there is a garden from the gardens of Paradise."
Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1196 — narrated regarding the Rawdah al-Sharifah

The Rawdah al-Sharifah — the blessed garden between the Prophet's (ﷺ) pulpit (Minbar) and his chamber — is one of the most spiritually significant locations a pilgrim can visit. Book a Rawdah slot on Nusuk in 4 steps:

  1. Navigate to 'Madinah Services' → 'Rawdah Visit'
  2. Select preferred date and time slot
  3. Confirm booking
  4. Receive Rawdah visit permit QR code (distinct from the Umrah permit)

Rawdah slots are 30-minute windows. Men and women have separate allocated time periods. Slots open 3 days before the intended visit date. Peak-demand slots — after Fajr and after Maghrib — are typically fully booked within 2 hours of opening. Indian pilgrims are strongly advised to book Rawdah slots immediately after completing Nusuk Umrah registration, not upon Madinah arrival.

Masjid an-Nabawi Entry Slot Booking

During Ramadan, Masjid an-Nabawi entry is managed through 2-hour slots — identically to Masjid al-Haram — with slots visible on Nusuk 3 days in advance. During off-peak months, Masjid an-Nabawi entry is unrestricted — the Nusuk Umrah permit QR code is not required for Masjid an-Nabawi entry (unlike Masjid al-Haram, where the permit is mandatory at all times). Masjid an-Nabawi has a capacity of 1.6 million worshippers — significantly less crowd pressure than Masjid al-Haram's 2.5 million — making off-peak Madinah visits highly accessible without slot booking.

What Language and Payment Support Does Nusuk Offer Indian Pilgrims?

Nusuk operates in 9 languages: Arabic, English, Urdu, Malay, Indonesian, Turkish, French, Bengali, and Hausa — covering 95%+ of the global Muslim pilgrim population. Hindi is not currently a standalone Nusuk language. Indian pilgrims not comfortable with English or Urdu use the English interface. The Urdu interface serves approximately 50 million Urdu-literate Indian Muslims — primarily in UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Telangana — with complete Urdu-language menu navigation, help text, and booking forms. The 24-hour multilingual support hotline is +966-920-000-814 (English, Arabic, Urdu, Malay, French, Turkish). For the Urdu line: press 3 on the IVR menu.

Payment Options for Indian Pilgrims

Payment MethodAvailability for Indian UsersCurrency
Visa / Mastercard (international) Available on all Nusuk services SAR (converted at card rate)
Mada (Saudi debit card) Not available — Indian cards not eligible —
Operator account settlement Available — operator bills pilgrim in INR INR (converted by operator)
PayPal Not currently integrated —
UPI / RuPay Not currently integrated —
Net banking (Indian) Not directly — operator payment gateway only INR

Indian pilgrims preferring INR-denominated payment should use their tour operator's payment gateway. The operator charges the pilgrim in INR — including the Nusuk visa fee (SAR 300) plus the operator's service charge — and settles the Nusuk payment in SAR on the pilgrim's behalf. Direct Nusuk payment in INR is not currently available (confirmed at nusuk.sa/payment-faq).

What Are the Most Common Nusuk Issues Indian Pilgrims Face and How Are They Resolved?

Ten issues affecting Indian pilgrims on Nusuk are identified and resolved below, based on aggregated support data from the Nusuk platform and Indian Consulate in Jeddah assistance records.

IssueCauseResolution TimeResolution Method
Name mismatch (passport vs. Nusuk) Middle name spelling variation 24–48 hours Nusuk support +966-920-000-814; submit passport scan for manual override
Photograph rejected by facial recognition Poor image quality or age discrepancy Immediate upon resubmission Retake under daylight, white background, 200+ DPI; reupload
Meningococcal certificate not in WHO registry Certificate from non-WHO-registry provider 48–72 hours Upload original PDF + administering doctor's license scan for manual verification
Mahram linkage failure Different name spellings across accounts 24–48 hours Both accounts submit passport scans to Nusuk support; manual linkage
Operator UOL failure Operator's UOL expired mid-season Immediate escalation Contact alternate listed operator; Ministry complaint hotline: 920-005-000
OTP not received on Indian +91 number International SMS delivery failure 5–10 minutes retry Use 'Resend OTP' after 5 minutes; alternatively use WhatsApp OTP option
Health declaration review delay Declared chronic condition 24–72 hours (Saudi MOH review) No action needed — await MOH review; follow up at 72 hours if unresolved
Permit QR code not scanning at gate Screen brightness too low or screenshot compressed 30 seconds Increase screen brightness to maximum; present printed QR code as backup
Rawdah slot timing conflict Booked slot differs from Madinah arrival time Rebook required Cancel existing slot; rebook new slot 3 days before updated arrival date
Zamzam delivery address not serviceable Indian pin code outside SPL delivery zone 48 hours Provide alternate delivery address or cancel delivery order for full refund
Nusuk Support Hotline

The official Nusuk 24-hour multilingual support hotline is +966-920-000-814. For Urdu: press 3 on the IVR. For English: press 2. Most common issues affecting Indian pilgrims — name mismatches, Mahram linkage failures, and photograph rejections — are resolved within 24–48 hours when the support team receives passport scan documentation via the hotline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nusuk for Indian Pilgrims — Common Questions
Yes — Nusuk registration is mandatory for every Indian Umrah pilgrim. A valid Nusuk permit QR code is verified at all Masjid al-Haram entry gates, and Indian pilgrims who cannot present it are denied entry regardless of their visa, airline ticket, or hotel booking. The mandatory status was enforced through a joint circular from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and Saudi Civil Aviation Authority (GACA) in Ramadan 1443 AH (April 2022). An Indian pilgrim who books through a tour operator does not register individually — the operator completes registration on the pilgrim's behalf.
Create a Nusuk account in 9 steps: (1) Download the official Nusuk app (publisher: Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia). (2) Select 'International Pilgrim' registration. (3) Enter passport details exactly as printed. (4) Verify Indian mobile number (+91) via OTP. (5) Upload a passport-sized photograph (JPEG, white background, 35×35 mm). (6) Select 'Umrah' as the pilgrimage type. (7) Complete all 12 health declaration questions. (8) Submit Mahram details (women below 45 only). (9) Receive the digital Umrah permit QR code in 'My Permits'. Multiple unofficial 'Nusuk' apps exist — always verify the publisher name before downloading.
Nusuk processes the Umrah e-visa for Indian pilgrims in 24–72 hours when all 5 documents are complete, correctly uploaded, and free from data discrepancies. Processing extends to 5–7 working days when any document triggers a manual review flag. During peak Umrah seasons (Ramadan, Dhul Qa'dah, early Dhul Hijjah), processing is 40–60% slower. The Umrah visa service fee is SAR 300 (approximately ₹6,600) — non-refundable after issuance but fully refundable if the visa is rejected.
Indian women aged 45 years and above are exempt from the Nusuk Mahram requirement and register as independent pilgrims. Women aged 45+ traveling without a Mahram must travel as part of an organized Umrah group — the registration must list the licensed Indian operator's UOL number. Indian women below 45 must have a Mahram (husband, father, full brother, son, paternal uncle, maternal uncle, or first-degree paternal male cousin) whose Nusuk account is linked to theirs — both permits must be simultaneously active throughout the trip.
The consequence is total: no Nusuk permit → no Umrah visa → no Masjid al-Haram entry → Umrah is impossible regardless of flight and hotel arrangements. Indian pilgrims lose the full package amount paid to unlisted operators — unlisted operators are not covered by the Saudi Ministry's pilgrim refund guarantee or India's Ministry of Minority Affairs' Umrah consumer protection scheme. Always verify the operator's UOL number at nusuk.sa before making any payment.
Nusuk for Indian Pilgrims — Summary

What it is: Saudi Arabia's official government digital pilgrimage platform operated by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — the sole mandatory registration system for all Indian Umrah pilgrims since 2022.

Why mandatory: A valid Nusuk permit QR code is required for entry into Masjid al-Haram at every gate. Joint GACA + Ministry circular (Ramadan 1443 AH) directed all airlines to verify Nusuk registration before issuing boarding passes.

Key services: 18 services across 5 domains — registration, sacred site booking, accommodation, health & safety, spiritual, and commemorative services.

Visa fee: SAR 300 (₹6,600 approximately) — non-refundable after issuance; fully refundable on rejection. Processing: 24–72 hours for complete documents.

Critical check: Always verify your Indian operator's UOL number on nusuk.sa before booking. Booking through an unlisted operator = zero path to Umrah permit, zero refund protection.

Support: +966-920-000-814 (24-hour, Urdu available — press 3). Zamzam delivery: up to 5 litres per passport. Indian platform users (2024): 2.2 million.