Unlocking the Nusuk Ecosystem: Your Essential Guide to Saudi Arabia’s Digital Platforms for Hajj & Umrah

(Updated for 2025: What Every Pilgrim & Agent Should Know!)

Planning your Hajj or Umrah journey? Confused by all the new rules, apps, and portals—especially with Saudi Arabia’s latest digital reforms? This guide will help you navigate the official Nusuk ecosystem, from booking hotels and packages to getting your visa approved smoothly—no matter where you’re from.

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🌐 What is Nusuk?

Nusuk is the Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah’s unified digital ecosystem for all things pilgrimage. Think of it as your “digital travel agent,” connecting you with official services, information, and booking tools for both Hajj and Umrah—whether you’re a pilgrim, agent, or consultant.

🚦 1. Nusuk Central Portal – nusuk.sa

The main gateway for all pilgrims, Nusuk.sa offers:

• Central access to Hajj and Umrah planning tools
• Book Umrah services and accommodations
• Direct links to the official Saudi e-Visa portal (visa.visitsaudi.com)
• Manage reservations for ziyarah (like Rawdah) and Umrah easily via the Nusuk mobile apps:

Important:
As of June 2025, Saudi Arabia requires all Umrah pilgrims  to book their hotel via the Nusuk Masar platform.
For full enforcement details and tips, see Item 4: Nusuk Masar below.

🕋 2. Nusuk Hajj – hajj.nusuk.sa

A one-stop platform for Hajj pilgrims from serviced countries to:

• Apply for your Hajj visa online
• Browse and select official Hajj packages (flights, hotels, transport, and guidance)
• Upload documents, manage payments, and get real-time application tracking
• Access multilingual support, live chat, and interactive maps

Note:
Nusuk Hajj is not available for all nationalities. Pilgrims from countries not listed as “serviced countries” must  apply and book through their country’s official Hajj authority or a local licensed Hajj agent.

See the latest list of serviced countries here.

🕌 3. Nusuk Umrah – umrah.nusuk.sa

For Umrah pilgrims from serviced countries, this is your portal to:

• Book and manage Umrah/Ziyarah packages from licensed providers
• Build your travel plan (hotels, services, permits) step by step
• Not available for everyone—pilgrims from Malaysia and some other countries must still go through local agents for bookings and visa processing.
  See the list of serviced countries here.

🏨 4. Nusuk Masar – masar.nusuk.sa & book.nusuk.sa

Nusuk Masar is now mandatory for all Umrah hotel bookings—whether applying for an Umrah visa  (Saudi circular, effective June 10, 2025).

• Direct access to Ministry-approved hotels.
• Booking is electronically verified—mandatory for Umrah visa approval.
• External or third-party travel platforms, or by dealing directly with hotels, are no longer accepted for Umrah visa applications.

Where to Find Approved Hotels:

You can browse the official list of Ministry of Tourism–licensed hotels and service providers directly on the Masar Service Providers page.

Exception for Tourist e-Visas:
If you don’t declare Umrah as your purpose when applying, Masar bookings aren’t enforced—but always book Ministry-approved hotels and carry printed confirmations.

 June 2025 Update & Enforcement Status:

• Umrah visas: Strictly enforced—hotel booking via Nusuk Masar is mandatory.
• Tourist e-visas (if main purpose is Umrah): Technically required,  but in practice, enforcement varies. Some travelers still enter without a Nusuk Masar booking, but this can change at any time (see table below).

Enforcement Reality Check

Key Risk:
While many travelers have bypassed the rule so far, Saudi authorities can enforce it suddenly—always book via Masar or ensure your hotel is licensed by the Ministry of Tourism to avoid entry issues.

Tip:
As of now, the Tourist e-Visa application portal does not require you to upload proof of a hotel booking via Nusuk Masar. This means you may be able to purchase your hotel stay from other third-party platforms—as long as the property is licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (MOT).
Always print your hotel confirmation from a Ministry-approved property (preferably booked via Nusuk Masar), as immigration may request proof unexpectedly.

Disclaimer:
This info is current as of mid-2025, but actual enforcement may change. Always check the latest with your airline, agent, or official Saudi portals before travel.

🛠️ Other Key Nusuk Features

• Hajj/Umrah FAQs & Interactive Maps: Navigate holy sites and get answers in real time
• Support channels: Live chat, call center, and email for quick help
• Privacy & Legal Pages: Know your rights and how your data is used

🗺️ Nusuk Platform Comparison

🚨 Scam Alert: Only use official websites with a “.sa” domain (such as nusuk.sa, hajj.nusuk.sa, etc.). Fake sites like nusuk.com or nusuk.org are not authorized and may be fraudulent.

✅ How to Use This Guide (Based on Where You’re From):

• From a serviced country?
  Use the specific portal for Hajj or Umrah—most features available directly.
• From Malaysia or a non-serviced country?
  You must book through local licensed agents. You can’t register on umrah.nusuk.sa, but you’ll still benefit from knowing the process and requirements.
• Doing DIY Umrah (with any visa)?
  Hotel booking for your Umrah visa must now go through Nusuk Masar.
  Agents and consultants: Master these tools to guide clients and manage services.

⚠️ Important Update: New Rules for 2025

As of June 2025, all Umrah pilgrims must book their hotel through Nusuk Masar for visa approval and compliance. This rule is already enforced for Umrah visas and is rolling out for tourist e-visas (if the main purpose is Umrah) too.

Always check for the latest updates before booking.

💡 Final Thoughts

Digitalization has made planning your pilgrimage easier, but also more structured. Understanding the Nusuk ecosystem is now essential—whether you’re a first-time pilgrim, a seasoned traveler, or an agent guiding others.