The Nusuk platform — Saudi Arabia's official digital gateway for Umrah pilgrims — has rolled out a series of significant updates in 2025. These changes affect how pilgrims obtain Umrah permits, how groups book together, and how access to Rawdah al-Sharif in Masjid an-Nabawi is managed. If you are planning Umrah this year, here is what you need to know before you travel.
What Changed
Three major changes have been introduced to the Nusuk platform between January and June 2025:
- Redesigned Umrah permit flow — permits are now issued directly through the Nusuk app after completing an identity verification step. Paper permits have been discontinued.
- Group booking feature — groups of up to 10 pilgrims can now link accounts and request permits for the same time slot, simplifying coordination for families and small tour groups.
- Rawdah al-Sharif bookings are now app-only — the web browser version no longer supports Rawdah slot booking. You must use the Nusuk mobile app (iOS or Android) to reserve a time slot.
Who Is Affected
All pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah are affected by the permit flow changes — there is no opt-out. The group booking feature is optional but highly recommended for families travelling together. The Rawdah app-only change affects every pilgrim who wishes to visit the Rawdah section of Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah.
Indian pilgrims who previously used the Nusuk website exclusively should download and set up the mobile app before travelling.
What To Do Next
- Download the Nusuk app on your smartphone (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store).
- Create an account using your passport number and the email address used for your visa application.
- If travelling as a family or group, have one person create the group booking and share the link with others — each member must accept the invitation within 48 hours.
- Book your Rawdah al-Sharif slot before you travel — slots are released 3 days in advance and fill up quickly, particularly during Ramadan and peak season.
Rawdah Booking Now App-Only
The Rawdah al-Sharif is the area between the Prophet's (PBUH) grave and the pulpit in Masjid an-Nabawi. Access is managed through timed slots to control crowd flow. As of March 2025, bookings can only be made through the Nusuk mobile app.
Slots are available for men and women at different times. Women's slots are typically available in the morning hours; men's slots are spread across the day. Each slot lasts approximately 15 minutes. You will need to show your Nusuk booking confirmation at the entrance.
Group Booking Feature
The new group booking feature allows one pilgrim to create a group, invite others by sharing a link, and then request Umrah permits for all members as a single booking. This means the group gets the same time window for tawaf and sa'i, making it far easier to stay together.
To use group booking:
- Open the Nusuk app and go to Group Booking under the Umrah Permit section.
- Create a group and invite members by sharing the unique link.
- Once all members accept (deadline: 48 hours), submit the group permit request.
- All members receive permits for the same time slot.
Note: each member must have a valid Umrah visa and a verified Nusuk account before the group permit can be submitted.
Nusuk App — What You Need
Before you travel, make sure you have:
- Nusuk app installed and updated to the latest version (v4.1 or later as of June 2025)
- Account verified with your passport number
- Umrah permit booked (required for entry to the Grand Mosque)
- Rawdah slot booked (if you wish to visit Rawdah in Madinah)
- Emergency contact number added to your profile
If you need help setting up your Nusuk account or encounter verification issues, contact our team — we assist all our clients through the Nusuk registration process as part of our visa service.