Your visa gets you into Saudi Arabia. Nusuk gets you into the holy sites. Learn how Hajj registration, Umrah permits and Rawdah slots work, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost pilgrims their place.
What Is the Nusuk App and Why Do UK Pilgrims Need It?
If you are planning Hajj or Umrah from the UK, the Nusuk app is no longer optional. It is the official digital platform of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Together with its Nusuk Hajj website, it now controls almost every step of your pilgrimage: Hajj registration, Umrah permits, timed entry to Masjid al-Haram and your once-a-year visit to the Rawdah in Masjid an-Nabawi.
The simplest way to understand it: your visa gets you into Saudi Arabia, but Nusuk gets you into the holy sites.
Nusuk actually has two sides that many British Muslims confuse:
Nusuk Hajj
hajj.nusuk.sa is the only approved route to book Hajj for UK residents, because the UK sits under Saudi Arabia's Direct Hajj Programme.
The Nusuk app
Available on iOS and Android. Used for Umrah permits, Rawdah slots, crowd information, transport and more than a hundred other services.
In this guide, the Tawaf Global team explains how each side works for pilgrims travelling from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford, Glasgow and beyond, the mistakes that cost people their slots, and how we can handle the whole process for you. If you are still comparing options, you can also browse our Umrah packages from the UK alongside this guide.
How UK Pilgrims Book Hajj on Nusuk (Hajj 2027)
For British residents, Hajj can only be booked through the Nusuk Hajj platform. Any person or company offering a "guaranteed Hajj visa" or taking Hajj money outside Nusuk should be treated as a red flag, a warning the Council of British Hajjis repeats every season.
Hajj 2027 dates: Hajj 2027 is expected around mid-May 2027, subject to moon sighting. Registration for British pilgrims has not been officially announced yet, but based on previous years CBHUK expects it to open in late October or early November 2026.
The Nusuk Hajj steps, in order
- Create your account on hajj.nusuk.sa with your own email and mobile number (every traveller needs their own).
- Upload documents: valid passport, recent photo and proof of UK residency where required.
- Complete your application and add family members or travel companions.
- Wait for verification. Registration alone does not guarantee a place.
- Choose a package category (economy to premium, shifting or non-shifting).
- Activate and top up your eWallet.
- Browse authorised service providers and shortlist packages.
- Book on sales day. Popular categories can sell out quickly.
Where Tawaf Global fits in
We do not sell Hajj outside Nusuk, and nobody legitimately can. What we do is prepare you so you are ready the moment sales open: checking your passport details, preparing documents, explaining package categories and costs, and arranging flights and extras around your confirmed Nusuk package. See our Hajj packages and guidance page for the current season.
Planning Hajj 2027?
Register your interest and we will alert you the moment Nusuk Hajj registration opens.
How to Book Umrah and Rawdah Slots on the Nusuk App
Umrah is far more flexible than Hajj, but the Nusuk app still sits at the centre of your trip. Here is the process most UK pilgrims follow.
Step 1 Get the right visa first
You need a valid entry document before Nusuk will let you book permits. Most UK pilgrims use a Saudi Umrah visa or tourist eVisa. From 1 July 2026, Saudi Arabia also introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for UK passport holders, valid for multiple entries across one year, but it is not valid for Hajj. Rules change often, so our team confirms the correct option on the day you book. Read more on our Umrah visa from the UK page.
Step 2 Download Nusuk and register
- Download the official Nusuk app from the App Store or Google Play (avoid look-alike apps).
- Tap Register New User, choose Visitor, and enter your passport number, visa number, date of birth, email and UK mobile.
- Verify with the OTP code and set your language (English and Urdu are available).
Step 3 Book your Umrah permit
Go to Permits → Umrah Permit, pick your date and time slot, add linked family members, then confirm. The permit itself is free. Save the QR code as a screenshot in case you lose signal in the Haram.
Step 4 Book your Rawdah (Riyadh ul Jannah) slot
Go to Prophet's Mosque Services → Noble Rawdah. Key rules UK pilgrims miss:
- You can book the Rawdah only once every 365 days, across Umrah, Hajj and tourist trips.
- Slots usually open about a week ahead and fill within seconds, so book before you land in Madinah.
- Men and women have separate times, so select the correct gender.
- Arrive around 30 minutes early at the gate shown in the app.
Common Nusuk App Problems (and How to Fix Them)
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "No slots available" for Rawdah | Slots release in batches and go in seconds | Check at release times, refresh often, and look for off-peak slots |
| Registration fails | Name or passport number doesn't match the visa exactly | Re-enter details exactly as printed on your passport, including middle names |
| Family member can't be added | Their visa isn't linked to your account | Register them separately or link under the same visa group |
| Permit disappeared | App cache or login issue | Log out and in, check "My Bookings", then contact Nusuk support with your booking reference |
| Hajj application stuck in verification | Missing or unclear document | Re-upload a clear passport scan and photo well before sales day |
Small data-entry mistakes cause most delays. Double-check every field before you submit, and keep screenshots of confirmations and error messages.
Want someone to check every detail for you? See our Umrah packages or contact our team and we will guide you through Nusuk.
Why UK Pilgrims Trust Tawaf Global With Nusuk
The Nusuk app is powerful, but it is unforgiving: one wrong passport digit or a missed release time can cost you a Rawdah visit you only get once a year. That is where an experienced, registered operator makes the difference.
Who we are. Tawaf Global Services Limited is registered with Companies House (no. 15782798), so British pilgrims deal with a UK company, not an anonymous social media seller.
What we do for you
- Umrah packages from the UK Flights from major UK airports, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, transfers and visa processing in one booking.
- Nusuk setup support We help you register, link family members and book Umrah permits correctly.
- Rawdah planning We time your Madinah stay around realistic slot releases.
- Hajj guidance Document preparation and package advice so you are ready for Nusuk Hajj sales day.
- Support in Saudi Arabia A team you can reach on WhatsApp if a permit or booking goes wrong.
Ready to make your pilgrimage stress-free?
Let our team handle the visa, the Nusuk permits and the logistics, so you can focus on your worship.
Nusuk App FAQs for UK Pilgrims
Is the Nusuk app mandatory for Umrah from the UK?
Yes, for practical purposes. You need it to book your Umrah permit for Masjid al-Haram and any Rawdah visit in Madinah. Without a Rawdah permit, you will not get through the gate.
Can I book Hajj from the UK without Nusuk?
No. The UK is part of Saudi Arabia's Direct Hajj Programme, so Nusuk Hajj is the only approved booking route. Never pay a Hajj deposit into a personal bank account.
Is the Nusuk Umrah permit free?
Yes. The permit itself has no fee. You still pay for your visa, flights, hotels and transport.
When does Hajj 2027 registration open for UK residents?
Official dates have not been announced yet. Based on previous seasons, registration is expected in late October or early November 2026.
How often can I visit the Rawdah?
Once every 365 days per person, whichever trip you use it on. Plan your slot carefully.
Can the Saudi ETA be used for Umrah?
The ETA for UK passport holders (from 1 July 2026) covers tourism and family visits and may be usable for Umrah travel, subject to current Saudi rules. It cannot be used for Hajj. See our Umrah visa from the UK page for the latest.
Do children need a Nusuk permit?
Generally, older children need their own Rawdah permit, while very young children accompany a parent. Rules vary, so check the app or ask our team before you travel.
Can Tawaf Global book my Nusuk permits for me?
We can help. When you book an Umrah package with us, we guide your Nusuk registration and help you book Umrah and Rawdah permits on your own account, so you are not refreshing the app alone at midnight.
Begin Your Umrah Journey From the UK With Confidence
Let Tawaf Global handle the visa, the Nusuk permits and the logistics, so you can focus on your worship.
Planning Hajj 2027? Register your interest and we will alert you the moment Nusuk Hajj registration opens.
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