Saudi Arabia launches Nusuk Umrah platform to facilitate online visa applications and travel arrangements for international pilgrims.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has unveiled a groundbreaking digital platform, Nusuk Umrah, designed to streamline the process for pilgrims worldwide. This new service allows individuals outside Saudi Arabia to apply for Umrah visas and organize their pilgrimage-related services online, effectively eliminating the need for intermediaries.

Nusuk Umrah is accessible at umrah.nusuk.sa and promises a user-friendly digital experience aimed at enhancing both the quality of services and the overall journey of those undertaking Umrah. Pilgrims can customize their travel plans by selecting either complete packages or individual components such as visas, accommodation, transportation, and tours.

The platform supports seven languages and seamlessly integrates with governmental systems while offering various payment options. It complements existing travel channels by providing more flexibility to users. The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s objective to accommodate an increasing number of Muslims globally through convenient, top-notch services.

Record-Breaking Attendance in Early 2025

In related news, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced on August 21, 2025, that over 15.2 million pilgrims performed Umrah during the first quarter of the year, underscoring significant growth in religious tourism. Of these pilgrims, Saudi nationals constituted 24%, while males represented 60.5% and females accounted for 39.5%.

The number of international pilgrims reached 6,523,630-a notable increase of 10.7% compared to last year’s figures. Airports were crucial entry points for foreign travelers, handling approximately 82.2% of arrivals from abroad. Domestically, about 8,698,867 people participated in Umrah with non-Saudis making up a majority at 58%.

Seasonal Trends in Pilgrimage

GASTAT's report indicated that January saw the peak influx of international visitors (36.5%), whereas March experienced a decline in foreign attendance but witnessed a surge in domestic pilgrim numbers reaching an impressive rate of 80.9%. Meanwhile, Madinah remained a vital spiritual hub with about 6.4 million visitors in total during this period.

These quarterly insights have been collected since last year using comprehensive field surveys along with administrative data from both the Pilgrim Experience Program and Ministry of Tourism. Such data play an essential role in refining service offerings to better meet pilgrim needs as Saudi Arabia endeavors to establish itself as a leading global destination for pilgrimage.