In a major stride towards transforming the Umrah pilgrimage experience for millions of Muslims across the globe, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially unveiled the “Nusuk Umrah” digital service. The platform, launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, allows pilgrims from outside the Kingdom to seamlessly apply for their Umrah visas and arrange essential travel logistics—such as accommodation, transportation, and guided services—without relying on traditional intermediaries or agents.
The development, which aligns with the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 blueprint, aims to simplify and modernize the entire Umrah process through a user-friendly online portal. The move is expected to benefit pilgrims from key countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Egypt, and other major sources of religious tourists. With the new service, intending pilgrims can now plan their sacred journey from start to finish in a few clicks, ensuring transparency, convenience, and a higher standard of service delivery.
Speaking on the launch, Saudi authorities stressed that the Nusuk platform is part of a wider digital transformation initiative designed to enhance the quality of services offered to pilgrims. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the platform eliminates bureaucratic delays and reduces the risk of exploitation by unlicensed travel agents, a problem that has previously affected thousands of would-be pilgrims from countries such as Nigeria.
Through Nusuk Umrah, pilgrims can choose from a variety of accommodation types in Makkah and Madinah, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxury suites. The platform also offers optional add-ons like multilingual tour guides, airport transfers, local transport within the holy cities, and access to historical religious sites. All bookings and applications are processed electronically, offering real-time confirmation and updates via email or SMS.
The innovation is part of the Kingdom’s larger goal to welcome 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by the year 2030, up from the current average of around 10 million. The Saudi government has invested heavily in smart infrastructure, digital platforms, and religious tourism services as part of efforts to make the pilgrimage experience smoother, safer, and more spiritually enriching.
The launch of the Nusuk Umrah platform has been met with praise across the Muslim world, particularly in Africa where many aspiring pilgrims often face challenges accessing reliable travel services. In Nigeria, several travel operators and religious organizations have already begun educating their members on how to navigate the new system.
Analysts who spoke noted that by giving control back to the pilgrims, the Saudi authorities are ushering in a new era of faith-based tourism that prioritizes individual choice, affordability, and trust. The platform also enhances Saudi Arabia’s international image as a modern, service-oriented destination for Islamic pilgrimage.
With the 1447 AH Umrah season underway, the Nusuk Umrah platform is expected to significantly ease travel arrangements for first-time and returning pilgrims alike, offering a more personalized and streamlined journey to the two holiest cities in Islam.
