BlogTravel TipsThe Nusuk App: How to Book Your Umrah and Rawdah Permits
By Cynthia Lucas Published Oct 26, 2026 12:31 AM EST
The Nusuk App: How to Book Your Umrah and Rawdah Permits
Quick answer: Nusuk is the official app of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Visitors use it to book two separate permits. The Umrah permit gives you a date and time to perform Umrah at the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, whichever visa you entered on. The Rawdah permit gives you a timed visit to pray in the Rawdah at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, and the Ministry issues it once every 365 days for the same person. Set up your account before you leave the United States, add each family member, and book as soon as your hotel dates are fixed. To plan the trip around those permits, call a travel expert at Fond Travels on +1 (323) 800 6001.
Assalamu Alaikum. The app is updated often, and screen names and menus change between versions. The steps below describe how it works at the time of writing. If a screen looks different, the order of the steps is usually still the same.
What Nusuk is, and why you need it
Nusuk is the Saudi government's platform for pilgrims and visitors to the two holy mosques. It started as a way to manage crowds and now covers much of the trip. For a visitor from the United States, its main jobs are:
Umrah permits, booked for a set date and time slot.
Rawdah permits for the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.
Your traveler profile, linked to your passport and visa.
Some booking services connected to approved providers, such as packages and transport.
The permit system exists because the Haram has a fixed capacity and demand peaks sharply in certain weeks. Timed permits spread the crowd across the day. Without one, you may be stopped at the entry points for Umrah pilgrims, especially in Ramadan.
The permit is separate from your visa. The visa lets you into Saudi Arabia, and the permit gives you your time at the Haram. Our guide to the Umrah visa for US citizens covers the visa side.
Before you open the app
Have these ready, for yourself and for everyone you will add:
Passports, with names exactly as printed.
Visas, either the tourist eVisa, the Umrah visa or the stopover visa, with the visa numbers.
Your arrival date and hotel dates in Makkah and Madinah. Your permit slots have to fit inside them.
An email address and phone number you can reach while abroad. Verification codes are sent to them.
A recent photo, if the app asks for one.
Several guides report that tourist eVisa holders are asked to register a confirmed hotel booking on Nusuk before an Umrah permit is issued. Keep your hotel confirmation numbers to hand.
Setting up your account, step by step
Download the official app. Search for "Nusuk" in the App Store or Google Play and check the publisher is the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Avoid look-alike apps.
Choose English on the first screen. The app also works in Arabic and several other languages.
Register as a visitor from outside Saudi Arabia. Enter your passport details exactly as they appear in the passport, and your nationality.
Verify your email and phone with the codes the app sends.
Link your visa if the app asks for it. Some visa types connect automatically.
Add your companions. Each family member is added with their own passport and visa. You can then book permits for the group together.
Do this at home, on Wi-Fi, a week or two before you fly. Fixing a spelling mistake in a hotel lobby at midnight, with jet lag, is much harder.
Booking the Umrah permit
Open the permits or services section and choose Umrah.
Select the travelers the permit is for. Everyone in your group who is performing Umrah should be on it.
Choose the date, then a time slot. Pick a slot that leaves time to reach the Haram, especially on your arrival day.
Confirm. The permit appears with a QR code. Save a screenshot as a backup, in case your phone signal is weak at the gates.
Choosing the time. Think about the journey. Travelers who land in Jeddah and enter ihram on the plane usually need three to four hours to reach a Makkah hotel, drop the bags and walk to the Haram. Travelers coming from Madinah by train need to allow for the train, the station transfer and check-in. Book a slot that is realistic rather than the earliest one available.
If your plans change. You can usually cancel and rebook in the app, depending on availability. Cancel the old slot rather than leaving it unused, so that it is released for someone else.
What the Umrah permit covers, and what it does not
The Umrah permit is for the rites of Umrah: the tawaf around the Kaaba and the sa'i between Safa and Marwa, performed in ihram. It is not a pass for every visit to the mosque.
Daily prayers. Praying in the Masjid al-Haram during your stay generally does not need an Umrah permit. At busy times, though, the area immediately around the Kaaba may be kept for pilgrims in ihram, and other worshippers are directed to the upper floors and courtyards.
A second Umrah. If you plan to perform Umrah again during the same stay, for example from Masjid Aisha, book a new permit for that date. Each Umrah has its own slot.
Tawaf on its own. Rules for a voluntary tawaf outside Umrah vary with the crowd. Follow the directions of the mosque staff on the day.
The Prophet's Mosque. Praying in the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah does not need a permit. Only the Rawdah does.
Keep your account details private. Your Nusuk login is linked to your passport, so do not share the password with anyone outside your family, and sign out if you use a shared device.
Booking the Rawdah permit
The Rawdah is the area of the Prophet's Mosque between his house and his minbar, and praying there is the wish of most visitors to Madinah. Access is managed strictly by permit.
Once every 365 days. The Ministry issues a Rawdah permit for the same person once a year. If you visited within the last year, the app will not offer you another slot.
Separate times for men and women. The mosque runs separate schedules, and the app shows only the slots that apply to the traveler you select.
Book early. Slots open on a rolling basis and fill quickly, especially from Thursday to Saturday and in Ramadan. Check the app each day from the moment your Madinah dates are fixed.
Arrive early for your slot. Queues at the women's entrance in particular can be long. Staff check the QR code before you enter.
Visitors already near the mosque have at times been offered extra visits through short-notice services in the app. Treat these as a bonus, not a plan. Book the standard Rawdah permit for the dates you are in Madinah.
Ramadan and other busy weeks
Ramadan is the busiest time of the year for Umrah, and the last ten nights are the busiest of all. In past seasons, Umrah permits for the peak days were fully booked well before the dates arrived. Plan for this:
Fix your hotel dates first, then book permits as soon as the app shows those dates.
Be flexible on the time of day. Late-night and pre-dawn slots are often easier to find, and the Haram is cooler then.
Avoid planning your Umrah for the 27th night if you can. Many travelers perform Umrah earlier in their stay and keep the last nights for prayer.
Book the Rawdah permit for the start of your Madinah stay, so you have time to try again if it does not work out.
For 2027, Ramadan is expected from about February 8 to March 9, subject to the moon sighting. Our guide to the best time for Umrah in 2027 shows how the weeks before and after compare.
Permits for children and older parents
Children. Above a certain age, every child needs their own Umrah permit, added under the parent's account. Travel guides currently report the age as five, but the app sets the rule, so check it when you book. Younger children travel with their parents.
Older parents and wheelchair users. Add them to your account yourself rather than relying on them to manage the app. Book a slot at a quieter hour and plan the route from the hotel. The Haram has dedicated routes and golf-cart and wheelchair services for older pilgrims. Our guide to Umrah with elderly parents covers this in detail.
Stopover and short visits
Travelers on the 96-hour stopover visa with Saudia or flynas can also book an Umrah permit through Nusuk. The airlines say the traveler should be registered on Nusuk as part of the process. With only four days, book the permit before you leave the United States, and keep the slot well clear of your arrival time in case the flight is late. Read more in our guide to Umrah on a Saudi stopover.
When the app gives you trouble
The name does not match. The name must match the passport exactly. Check middle names and the order of names; a missing middle name is a common cause.
The verification code does not arrive. Check spam folders and international roaming. A local Saudi SIM or eSIM after arrival helps for later codes.
No slots appear. Check a different time of day and the next day. New slots are released regularly.
The visa is not recognized. Check that the visa number and passport number are typed exactly, then try again a few hours later. Newly issued visas can take time to link.
The app freezes or logs you out. Update it, then sign in again. Keep a screenshot of every confirmed permit.
The Ministry runs official support channels through the app and its website. Use those rather than third parties who offer to "secure" permits for a fee.
A sample timeline for a US family
When
What to do
Three to six months before
Book flights and hotels; check the Umrah season dates
Six to eight weeks before
Apply for visas; get the meningitis vaccine at least 10 days before arrival
Two to four weeks before
Create Nusuk accounts; add every family member; link visas
As soon as dates show
Book the Umrah permit and the Rawdah permit
Day before each slot
Check the permit is still showing; save screenshots; plan the walk from the hotel
How Fond Travels can help
We plan the trip around your permits, so the pieces fit together:
Hotel dates set with the permits in mind, so your Umrah slot falls after a realistic arrival and your Rawdah slot falls early in your Madinah stay.
Hotels chosen by walking distance to the Haram and the Prophet's Mosque, which matters most for older parents.
Flights and transfers timed to your slots, including the Haramain train between Madinah and Makkah.
A checklist of every permit and document for each traveler before you leave.
Prefer to talk it through? A travel expert answers 24/7 at +1 (323) 800 6001.
FAQ’s
Is the Nusuk app mandatory for Umrah?
For visitors from abroad, yes in practice. Umrah permits are booked through Nusuk, and guides agree that every international pilgrim needs one, whichever visa they hold.
Does the Nusuk app charge for permits?
The standard Umrah and Rawdah permits are booked in the official app. Be wary of third parties who charge to book them for you.
How often can I visit the Rawdah?
The Ministry issues a Rawdah permit for the same person once every 365 days. Plan your visit so you do not miss your slot.
Can I book the Rawdah permit before I arrive in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, once your account is set up and the dates you will be in Madinah are open in the app. Booking early gives you the widest choice.
Can I book permits for my whole family on one phone?
Yes. Add each family member to your account as a companion with their own passport and visa, then select them when you book.
What happens if I miss my Umrah time slot?
You may need to book a new slot. If you know you will be late, cancel and rebook in the app as soon as you can.
Do children need their own permit?
Above the age set in the app, yes. Guides currently report that age as five. Check it when you book.
Can I use Nusuk on the stopover visa?
Yes. Stopover travelers with Saudia or flynas register on Nusuk and book an Umrah permit for their short stay.
Do I need the internet at the Haram to show my permit?
It helps, but a screenshot of the permit and its QR code is a sensible backup. A local SIM or eSIM makes the whole trip easier.
Are there separate Rawdah times for women?
Yes. The Prophet's Mosque runs separate schedules for men and women, and the app shows the slots for each traveler.
Can Fond Travels book my Nusuk permits?
The permits are booked in your own Nusuk account. We plan the hotels, flights and transfers around them and walk you through the steps so nothing is missed.
Cynthia Lucas, an accomplished travel writer, joined Fond Travels in 2017, contributing expertise to global travel content. She specializes in affordable travel, helping thousands of readers discover the best flight deals, hotel discounts, and effective itinerary strategies. With firsthand travel experience across various regions and countries, Cynthia combines practical advice with insider insights. Her work has been featured in travel blogs, agency newsletters, and independent trip guides, establishing her as a trusted voice for budget-conscious travelers.
+1 (323) 800 6001
Your email address will not be published.