A step-by-step 2026 guide to the Nusuk app: creating an account, booking your Umrah permit, reserving a Rawdah time-slot at Masjid an-Nabawi, and fixing common errors.
A decade ago you simply turned up. Today, the most important step of many Umrah trips happens on your phone weeks before you fly — in an app called Nusuk. It is the Saudi Ministry's official platform for booking Umrah permits, reserving a time-slot to pray in the Rawdah at the Prophet's ﷺ Mosque, and arranging visits to other sacred sites. Get comfortable with it early, and a lot of on-the-ground stress disappears.
This guide explains what Nusuk is, how to set it up, and exactly how to book both your Umrah permit and a Rawdah slot — plus how to fix the errors that trip people up.
Quick answer: Nusuk (formerly Eatmarna) is Saudi Arabia's official app for pilgrims. Download it, create an account and verify your identity, then use it to book a free Umrah permit for a specific date and time, and to reserve a Rawdah prayer slot in Madinah. Rawdah slots open roughly a week or more in advance, fill fast, and require a permit booked through Nusuk — so book as early as your travel dates allow.
What Is Nusuk?
Nusuk is the official digital platform of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. It replaced the older Eatmarna app and now serves as a single hub for pilgrims to:
- Book Umrah permits (the appointment to enter Masjid al-Haram for Umrah).
- Reserve a Rawdah time-slot at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah.
- Arrange ziyarat (visits) to historical and religious sites.
- Access guides, prayer times and other services.
It is free to download on iOS and Android, and there is also a Nusuk web portal if you prefer a browser.
Note: Saudi services and apps change names and features periodically. Always download from the official App Store / Google Play listing, and treat the in-app instructions as the final word if they differ from any guide.
Step 1: Download and Set Up Your Account
- Install Nusuk from the App Store or Google Play (check the developer is the official Saudi authority).
- Register with your email and phone number.
- Verify your identity. International pilgrims usually register using passport details; residents of Saudi Arabia link their national/iqama ID (Absher).
- Complete your profile and add any family members travelling under your booking so you can reserve for the group together.
Do this before you travel — ideally as soon as your visa and dates are confirmed. Verification can take time, and you don't want to be setting up an account while a Rawdah slot you wanted slips away.
Step 2: Book Your Umrah Permit
The Umrah permit is your scheduled appointment to perform Umrah at Masjid al-Haram.
- Open Nusuk and choose the Umrah service.
- Select the date and time-slot you want. Slots are released in advance and are capacity-managed, so popular times (Fridays, late evening, Ramadan) go quickly.
- Add the pilgrims in your party.
- Confirm. The permit is typically free, and you'll receive a confirmation you can show on arrival.
Tips:
- Book the earliest comfortable slot after you land so jet lag and transfer delays don't make you miss it — see Jeddah Airport to Makkah for arrival timings.
- During Ramadan especially, permits for night-time and the last ten nights are in extreme demand. Book the moment slots open.
- Keep your phone connected — a Saudi eSIM means you can show or rebook a permit anywhere, even before you reach your hotel.
Step 3: Reserve a Rawdah Slot in Madinah
The Rawdah (Riyadh-ul-Jannah, "the Garden of Paradise") is the area between the Prophet's ﷺ pulpit and his blessed chamber in Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Praying there is one of the most sought-after experiences of any visit to Madinah — and because the space is small, access is now managed entirely through timed permits in Nusuk.
How to book the Rawdah
- In Nusuk, choose the Rawdah (or Prophet's Mosque visit) service.
- Pick an available date and time-slot. Men and women have separate visiting times, as the Rawdah is open to each at different hours.
- Add pilgrims and confirm. You'll receive a QR code / permit to show at the entrance.
Rawdah booking tips
- Slots open roughly a week or more ahead and disappear within minutes at peak times. Set a reminder and try the moment they release.
- Be flexible. If your first choice is gone, an off-peak slot (very early morning, mid-afternoon) is far easier to get.
- Arrive early for your slot and bring the QR code plus ID. Staff scan permits at designated gates.
- The visit is brief and busy — make your salah and du'a calmly, then move on so others can pray too.
While you're planning Madinah, our guide to the best areas to stay near Al-Masjid an-Nabawi helps you choose a hotel within easy walking distance of the gates, and you can build your ziyarat around the Quba Mosque, Mount Uhud and Masjid al-Qiblatain.
Common Nusuk Problems (and How to Fix Them)
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Verification stuck or rejected | Passport details mismatch | Re-enter details exactly as on your passport; restart the app; try the web portal |
| "No slots available" | Peak demand / slots not yet released | Check at off-peak hours; try again right when new days open; be flexible on time |
| App won't load on arrival | No data connection | Use a Saudi eSIM or hotel Wi-Fi; the web portal can be a fallback |
| Can't add a family member | Profile not completed for that person | Complete each pilgrim's profile fully before booking the group |
| Permit not showing at the gate | Wrong account / offline | Log in to the correct account; download/screenshot the QR in advance |
If the app genuinely isn't cooperating, the Nusuk web portal often works when the app doesn't, and vice versa.
How Nusuk Fits Into Your Whole Trip
Nusuk handles permits — but not the rest of your journey. A smooth Umrah is the sum of several bookings:
- The rites themselves: read our step-by-step Umrah guide for first-timers.
- Where to stay: best areas in Makkah and best areas in Madinah.
- Getting around: Jeddah Airport to Makkah and travel between Makkah and Madinah.
- Staying connected: a Saudi eSIM so Nusuk, maps and ride-hailing all work from the moment you land.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nusuk app used for?
Nusuk is Saudi Arabia's official app for pilgrims. It is used to book Umrah permits, reserve a Rawdah prayer slot at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, arrange visits to historical sites, and access related services.
Is Nusuk the same as Eatmarna?
Nusuk replaced the earlier Eatmarna app and absorbed its permit-booking functions. If you used Eatmarna previously, Nusuk is now the platform to use.
Do I need a permit to perform Umrah?
In most cases yes — an Umrah permit booked through Nusuk gives you a scheduled time to enter Masjid al-Haram for Umrah. Requirements can change, so confirm the current rules for your visa type before you travel.
How far in advance can I book a Rawdah slot?
Rawdah slots typically open around a week or more before the date and are released in batches. They fill very quickly at peak times, so book as early as the system allows and stay flexible on timing.
Is the Umrah permit on Nusuk free?
The Umrah permit itself is generally free. Be cautious of third-party sites that charge fees to "book" what Nusuk provides at no cost.
Why does Nusuk say there are no Rawdah slots available?
Either the slots for your chosen day have already been taken, or new dates haven't been released yet. Try booking right when new days open, choose off-peak times, and check back regularly — cancellations sometimes free up space.
Can I book for my whole family on one account?
Yes. Add each travelling family member to your profile and complete their details, then you can reserve permits and Rawdah slots for the group from a single account.
What if the Nusuk app isn't working?
Try the Nusuk web portal as an alternative, ensure you have a working data connection (a Saudi eSIM helps), update the app, or restart it. Keep a screenshot of confirmed permits as a backup.
The Bottom Line
Nusuk is now the gatekeeper for two of the most meaningful moments of your journey: performing Umrah at the Haram and praying in the Rawdah. Set up your account early, book your Umrah permit for a realistic time after arrival, and pounce on Rawdah slots the moment they open. Pair it with a hotel near the Haram and a working eSIM, and the technology fades into the background — leaving you free to focus on the worship it was built to enable.
Last updated: June 2026. This article is informational and Nusuk's features and rules change over time. Always follow the latest instructions in the official Nusuk app and from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
