Nusuk Umrah Rules - Complete list of Rules For Your Umrah

What Are the Nusuk Umrah Rules?

The Nusuk Umrah rules cover your visa, approved package, permit, health documents and conduct in the holy cities. Most international pilgrims must complete these steps through the official Nusuk platform before travelling.

Start by checking the latest entry information for Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Rules can change, especially health and entry requirements. Don’t rely only on an old screenshot or a message forwarded in a family group.

We usually tell families to finish the documents first. Hotel choices and sightseeing can come later. A small passport error can delay the whole booking, while changing a hotel is often much easier.

What Is Nusuk Used For?

Nusuk, formerly called Eatmarna, is the official digital platform from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. You can use the app or the website at nusuk.sa.

International pilgrims use Nusuk for several important parts of the journey. These include setting up a verified account, applying for an eVisa and choosing an approved Umrah package. The platform is also used for permits and official guidance.

Create your account with the same details shown in your passport. Check every spelling before you continue. This is where people often get it wrong, especially with long names or several family members.

Keep access to the email address and mobile number linked to your account. You may need them while travelling. Save important documents on your phone, but also carry printed copies in your hand luggage.

How Do You Apply for the eVisa?

The traditional Umrah visa sticker has largely been replaced by a digital Umrah eVisa. You must receive the correct visa before travelling. For pilgrims using an approved Nusuk package, the visa process is linked to that booking.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months. You’ll also need a recent digital photograph with a white background. Other requirements include confirmed return flights, accommodation details and any vaccination certificates requested by the Saudi health authorities.

Your accommodation may come through a verified package provider. You can also research suitable properties at hotels in Makkah before choosing your package.

Make sure the photograph is clear and the passport page isn’t blurred. Uploading the wrong file can hold up an application. Check the visa after approval and report any incorrect name or passport number before departure.

Must You Book an Approved Package?

International pilgrims using the Umrah visa route must book an approved package listed through Nusuk. Under this system, you can’t simply arrange separate flights and a hotel and then expect an Umrah visa.

Packages normally cover visa help, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, and airport transfers. Many also include travel between the two holy cities. Read the inclusions carefully because meals, porterage and private transfers may differ between packages.

You can filter packages by budget, hotel distance and service level. Check the actual walking route, not only the distance shown on a map. A nearby hotel may still involve slopes, road crossings or a long walk through a large building.

Use Makkah hotels for Umrah to compare location and hotel details. Then make sure your final booking is included in the approved Nusuk package.

How Do You Book an Umrah Permit?

Your visa and Umrah permit are not the same thing. The Umrah permit, sometimes called an izin, is obtained through the Nusuk app. It gives you a date and time slot for performing Umrah.

Choose a slot that allows enough time for travel, meals and getting ready. Don’t book a tight arrival-day slot after a long flight. Delayed baggage, immigration queues or heavy traffic can quickly spoil that plan.

The app may direct you to a particular entrance at the Grand Mosque. Arrive early enough to find the gate, but don’t block entrances while waiting. Security staff may check your digital permit before allowing you through.

Keep the permit ready on your phone and take a screenshot in case the signal is weak. A printed copy is also useful. If you miss the slot, check Nusuk for the next available time instead of arguing at the gate.

What Rules Apply During Tawaf and Sa’i?

The religious rites remain unchanged, but pilgrims must follow the marked routes and crowd directions. During Tawaf, keep the Kaaba on your left. Move with the crowd and avoid stopping suddenly.

Don’t push forward to reach a particular place. If your family becomes separated, continue moving and meet at an agreed point outside the main flow. We usually choose a clear gate number rather than saying, “Meet near the entrance.”

For Sa’i, follow the full route between Safa and Marwah. Use the available escalators and follow staff instructions. Separate times or spaces may be provided for elderly and disabled pilgrims, so check Nusuk for current arrangements.

Queues can move slowly and then suddenly speed up. Keep children close and avoid carrying loose shopping bags. A small cross-body pouch is easier to manage than several bags during Tawaf and Sa’i.

Be realistic about walking. A 400-metre hotel distance can feel much longer with a pram, wheelchair or tired parent. Near prayer times, that short route may take 10 to 15 minutes because of crowds and security diversions.

Which Health Documents Do You Need?

Saudi health rules may require particular vaccinations and certificates. Past requirements have included meningitis, seasonal influenza and COVID-related documents under the guidance in force at that time.

Check the current list on Nusuk well before you travel. Your certificates must be valid and issued in the required form. Carry digital and printed copies, especially if you’re travelling with elderly relatives or children.

Health insurance covering your stay in Saudi Arabia is compulsory under the stated rules. Many approved packages include it. Check what the policy covers and keep the emergency contact number where your family can find it.

What Should You Wear and Avoid?

Pilgrims must behave respectfully in Makkah and Madinah. Be patient in queues, avoid arguments and follow instructions from mosque staff. Crowded moments can test anyone, particularly after little sleep.

Men in Ihram wear two plain white cloths. Women wear loose, opaque clothing covering the body except the face and hands. Modest clothing is expected outside Ihram as well.

While in Ihram, you must avoid prohibited actions. These include cutting your hair or nails, using scented products and having marital relations. Pack unscented toiletries separately so nobody uses the wrong item by habit.

Comfort matters too. Wear suitable footwear before entering Ihram and carry a simple shoe bag. Never leave expensive footwear loose near a busy mosque door and expect to find it quickly afterwards.

How Should You Choose Your Hotel?

Your approved Nusuk package will include accommodation. Before confirming it, check the hotel’s location, room type and transport arrangements. A low price can mean a longer walk or more waiting for shuttle buses.

You can research and compare properties through Umrah hotel booking. Make sure the hotel shown in your final package matches the property you researched. Hotels with similar names can cause confusion.

Ask about lifts if you’re travelling with older pilgrims, wheelchairs or a pram. At busy prayer times, lift queues can feel longer than the walk outside. A room on a very high floor may have a better view but slower access.

Also check where the coach can stop. Large buses may not reach the hotel entrance. You could face a short walk with luggage, so keep medicines, documents and one change of clothes in hand luggage.

What Should You Check Before Travelling?

Use Nusuk as your main source for permits and official instructions. You can use HotelsInMakkah.com for hotel research, but confirm the final booking through your approved package.

Before leaving home, check your passport, eVisa, permit, flights, hotel vouchers, vaccination records and insurance. Put copies in a second bag. Share them with one trusted family member who isn’t travelling.

Good preparation won’t remove every delay. It will make problems easier to handle. Once the practical work is done, you can give more attention to worship, patience and the purpose of your journey.

Common Questions About Nusuk Umrah Rules

Can I perform Umrah without using Nusuk?

International pilgrims under this system must use the official Nusuk app or website. It is used for the eVisa process, approved package booking and Umrah permit. Independent planning alone does not meet these requirements.

How early should I start my application?

Start around two to three months before your intended journey. Allow more time during busy periods such as Ramadan. This gives you time to compare packages, correct document errors and find a suitable permit slot.

What happens if I miss my permit time?

You will probably need to open Nusuk and book another available slot. Availability isn’t guaranteed at your preferred time. Plan to reach the stated gate early, allowing for traffic, walking and security checks.

Are there age limits for Umrah?

The stated rules do not give a specific age restriction. Children and elderly pilgrims still need the required visa and approved package arrangements. Minors must travel with an accompanying guardian under the applicable regulations.

Where should I book a compliant hotel?

Book accommodation as part of an approved Umrah package on Nusuk. You can first research hotel standards and distance at book your Makkah stay with us. Always check that the final package contains the same hotel and room details.

When you’re ready to price a stay, you can compare Madinah hotels near the Prophet’s Mosque and see what fits your dates and budget.