The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, a government ministry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is responsible for supervising the Hajj and the Umrah, has started issuing electronic visas (e-visas) for Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage to the holiest city of Mecca.
It is a part of the ministry’s efforts to enable more Muslims to come to the country to perform the Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. The ministry aims to improve the quality of Umrah services to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
People seeking electronic visas can apply at the Nusuk platform: https://www.nusuk.sa/ar/about, and they will be able to enter the Kingdom by July 19.
The Nusuk portal makes it easier for Muslims from all around the world to visit Mecca and Medina by providing them with housing options, residential and transportation services, as well as simple access to interactive maps in multiple languages.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in collaboration with the relevant authorities, facilitated the e-visas for people wanting to perform the Umrah pilgrimage. The ministry said that holders of tourist visas from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of Arab states and the holders of Schengen visas can schedule Umrah through the Nusk application.
The new Saudi rules also allow women to perform the Umrah pilgrimage without a male guardian. Under the new rules, Umrah performers can also visit different locations in the country to learn about the Saudi culture and to deepen their religious and cultural experiences.
The Nusuk application comes under the responsibility of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom. The application helps to secure pilgrims’ transportation and movement to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Nusuk can be downloaded from the Apple Store and Google Play Store. It is available on iOS and Android phones.