The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced the Nusuk Umrah service, a new digital platform that enables international pilgrims to directly apply for Umrah visas and book their entire trips online without intermediaries. The initiative is a key part of the Kingdom’s strategy to enhance the pilgrim experience and improve service quality.
Key Highlights
This new platform modernizes the process of planning an Umrah pilgrimage:
- New Platform: The “Nusuk Umrah” service, a comprehensive digital portal.
- Direct Booking: Allows international pilgrims to apply for visas and book their trips online, eliminating the need for intermediaries.
- Customizable Journeys: Users can design their own trips by booking full packages or individual services like visas, accommodation, and transport.
- Multi-Lingual: The user-friendly interface is available in seven languages to improve accessibility.
A Seamless and Customizable Pilgrim Experience
The Nusuk platform allows users to fully customize their religious journeys. Pilgrims can choose from complete travel packages or book individual services, including visas, accommodation, transportation, and guided tours. Featuring a user-friendly interface, the platform integrates with various government systems and supports multiple payment options to create a more accessible and convenient experience.
Aligning with Vision 2030 and Economic Diversification
This initiative is a core component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to strengthen the Kingdom’s role as a global religious and cultural hub while diversifying its economy. By digitizing and streamlining the Umrah process, the platform aims to enrich the experience for pilgrims and expand the country’s religious tourism sector.
Expanding Access for Regional and Global Muslims
The launch of the digital service follows other recent measures to ease access for pilgrims. In July, Saudi Arabia began allowing Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) citizens and residents to perform Umrah year-round with permits issued through the Nusuk app. The Kingdom has also resumed the issuance of international Umrah visas following the conclusion of this year’s Hajj season, reflecting its push to welcome more Muslims from around the world.
Source: MEA Tech Watch
