Nusuk App Step-by-Step: Account Setup, ID Verification, First Booking

This article is correct as of 2026-07-02.

The Nusuk app is the single most important piece of software on your phone for Umrah, but it is also the one most DIY travellers struggle with before they even leave their house. You know you need it, you downloaded it, and then you hit the account setup screen and immediately had questions the app did not answer. This guide walks through the full Nusuk app journey from download to first booking: how to set up your account, verify your identity, get your Nusuk Card, and book your first service without triggering a rejection or losing days chasing support [1][3].

1. Downloading the right Nusuk app

The Nusuk platform is the official Saudi government system for Umrah permits, transport booking, and hotel reservations, managed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah [2]. All official Nusuk websites end in .sa and use HTTPS encryption, and the platform is registered with the Digital Government Authority under number 20251021505 [2].

Go to your phone’s app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) and search for Nusuk. The official app is published by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Look for the grey app icon with the Nusuk logo. Skip anything with similar names from third-party publishers. Those are not the official app, and entering your passport number into a fake app is a fast track to problems you do not need before a trip [1].

If the app is not available in your local app store, try switching your phone’s region to Saudi Arabia temporarily. This is a common workaround for users in Southeast Asia. Alternatively, register through the Nusuk Umrah website at umrah.nusuk.sa/registration/signup [1]. The web version has the same functionality and serves as a backup when the app is being difficult about region locks.

2. Account setup: what to prepare before you start

Before you open the app, gather three things: your passport, your visa (either the eVisa approval or the visa sticker in your passport), and access to the email account you plan to register with [4]. You will need the email for the OTP verification code that arrives within seconds of starting the process [3]. A phone with a working camera for document uploads also saves you from having to scan and transfer files later.

Open the Nusuk app and tap Create Account. The registration form at umrah.nusuk.sa/registration/signup asks for [1]:

• Country of residence, where you live now, not your nationality
• Nationality, the passport you are travelling on
• Email address, this is where your OTP and all verification updates go [3]
• Acceptance of the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
• Optional: subscribe to email updates (skip this unless you want marketing emails)

The country dropdown covers essentially every nationality on the planet, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, United Kingdom, United States, and hundreds of others are all listed [1]. If you do not see your country, double-check you are on the official umrah.nusuk.sa domain and not a lookalike site.

After you submit the form, you receive an OTP verification code to your email [3]. Check your spam folder if it does not arrive within two minutes. Enter the code in the app, then create a password. The password policy requires a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols [3]. Write the password down somewhere safe. You will use the same email and password every time you log into the Nusuk app or website.

Pro tip: Use a password manager or write the password in your travel notebook. Unlike other apps that stay logged in, Nusuk occasionally logs you out and requires a fresh login. Being locked out at Jeddah airport with no password stored is not where you want to be [3].

3. ID verification and document upload

Once your account is created, the app prompts you to upload documents for identity verification. You need [3]:

• Your passport, photo of the biodata page (the one with your photo and details)
• A personal photo, passport-style, recent, clear lighting, no sunglasses or head coverings that obscure the face
• Proof of residence, this varies by country but is typically a utility bill, bank statement, or government-issued ID showing your current address

You can skip this step and come back to it by pressing Save and Continue Later [3]. This is useful if you do not have all three documents ready at that moment. But do not forget. Your Nusuk Card will not be issued until all three documents are uploaded and verified [4].

After uploading, you see a summary page where you can review and edit your personal information, photo, and uploaded documents [3]. You must tick a checkbox confirming all data is accurate before submitting. Once submitted, your application status appears under My Profile as one of three states [3]:

• Under Verification, normal, be patient, takes 1-3 business days
• Verified, you are approved, Nusuk Card is issued [4]
• Rejected, you will get an email with the specific reason, and you can update your account and resubmit [3]

If you get rejected, do not panic. Common rejection reasons include a blurry passport photo, an expired passport (it needs at least 6 months of validity), or a photo that does not clearly show your face. Fix what they flagged, upload again, and wait for re-verification [3].

4. Getting your Nusuk Card

The Nusuk Card is a digital ID card that lives inside the Nusuk app. It is issued automatically after your identity is verified and appears in the app within a few days [4]. You do not need to apply for it separately.

The card displays your name, nationality, passport number, and Umrah permit details. You may be asked to show it at the airport, at the Haram entry points during peak seasons, and when checking into Nusuk-booked accommodation. Keep the app updated and your phone charged. A screenshot of the card does not count if they scan the live QR code [4].

If your Nusuk Card does not appear after five business days, log into the app, check your My Profile section for the verification status [3], and if it still says Under Verification, contact support through the live chat or call centre at +966 9200 31201 [2]. The Nusuk FAQ page reports 90% positive feedback from over 2,800 users, so the support infrastructure does work for most people [2].

5. Making your first booking

Once your account is verified and your Nusuk Card appears, you can book services through the Nusuk platform. Log in with your email and password, select your country and passport number, then navigate to the booking section [4].

Nusuk lets you book two main categories [4]:

• Transport, buses and scheduled transfers between Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah [4]
• Hotels, accommodation near the Haram in Makkah and near Masjid Nabawi in Madinah [4]

The booking flow itself is straightforward: choose a service, pick a date and time, confirm the price in SAR, and pay. The platform is integrated with Saudi payment systems, so international credit cards may not always work on the first attempt. If your card is declined, try a different card or check with your bank that Saudi Arabia transactions are enabled [4].

What to book first: Transport tends to fill up faster than hotels, especially during Ramadan and the month before Hajj. Lock in your intercity bus or transfer first, then book accommodation. If you are flying into Jeddah but spending your first few nights in Madinah, book the Jeddah-to-Madinah Haramain train or bus before anything else.

6. Common mistakes and how to fix them

Mistake 1, Using a different passport than the one you applied for the visa with. The passport number in your Nusuk account must match the passport number on your visa application exactly [4]. If you renewed your passport between applying for the visa and registering on Nusuk, you need to register with the old passport number and update it after. Contact support if you are stuck, they handle this case regularly [2].

Mistake 2, Waiting until the last week to set up your account. The verification process takes 1-3 business days minimum [3], and rejected applications add another cycle. Set up your Nusuk account as soon as your visa is approved, not the week before you fly. You can always upload documents later.

Mistake 3, Skipping the document upload. The Save and Continue Later button is convenient but every DIY traveller knows someone who forgot to come back and finish [3]. Set a calendar reminder for the next day if you skip it. No Nusuk Card means no Umrah permit, and you do not want to be sorting that out from a hotel room in Makkah.

Mistake 4, Not checking spam for the OTP email. The Nusuk OTP arrives from a Saudi government domain that some email providers flag aggressively. If the code does not arrive in your inbox within two minutes, check spam, promotions, and the All Mail folder [3].

Mistake 5, Thinking you can add a family member later with zero friction. You can add up to 7 family members under your account [3], but each member needs their own document upload and verification cycle. Start everyone’s process at the same time if you are travelling as a family group.

7. FAQ

Is the Nusuk app free? Yes. The Nusuk app and website are free to download, register, and use. You only pay when you book a service like transport or a hotel through the platform [4].

Can I use Nusuk without a visa? No [4]. The Nusuk registration form requires a passport number and visa number [4]. You need an approved Umrah visa or tourist eVisa before you can complete the Nusuk account setup.

The app is not available in my country’s app store. What can I do? Register through the Nusuk Umrah website at umrah.nusuk.sa/registration/signup [1]. The web version has full functionality and works on any browser. You can also try switching your phone’s region settings temporarily to Saudi Arabia to access the app.

How long does verification take? Typically 1-3 business days, but it can take up to 5 days during peak seasons [3][4]. If your application status still says Under Verification after 5 business days, contact support through live chat or the call centre at +966 9200 31201 [2].

Can I book for my whole family through my Nusuk account? Yes, you can add up to 7 family members under your account [3]. Each family member needs their own document upload and identity verification before they can be included in bookings.

What if my Nusuk Card does not appear after verification? Log into the app, check your My Profile section for the application status [3], and if everything says Verified, contact support through the live chat feature on the app or website [2]. The call centre at +966 9200 31201 is also available [2].

Next Steps

Set up your Nusuk account the same day your Umrah visa is approved [4]. Upload your documents even if the photo is not perfect, you can fix a rejection faster than you can catch up from starting late [3]. Once the Nusuk Card appears, book your intercity transport if you are moving between Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah [4]. And before you close this page: save the Nusuk support number +966 9200 31201 in your phone contacts [2]. You will not need it if everything goes smoothly, but the one time something breaks, having it saved already saves you from hunting for a website on airport Wi-Fi.

Related UmrahDIY guides: Before you register in Nusuk, confirm the documents required before applying for an Umrah visa. If you are still choosing your visa route, compare the multiple-entry vs single-entry Umrah visa options first.

Notes

1. [1] Nusuk Umrah official registration page, umrah.nusuk.sa/registration/signup. Accessed 2026-07-02.
2. [2] Nusuk Umrah FAQ and support page, umrah.nusuk.sa/FAQ. Support channels include live chat, email, and call centre +966 9200 31201. Accessed 2026-07-02.
3. [3] Nusuk Hajj User Manual, albaitonnusuk.com/pdf/2024/User_Manual_English.pdf. Sections 1.2 (Registration and OTP), 3.1 (Document Upload), 4.1 (Verification Status), 5.7 (Family Members). Accessed 2026-07-02.
4. [4] Perplexity research synthesis on Nusuk app account setup, ID verification, Nusuk Card issuance, and first booking flow. Research conducted 2026-07-02.