Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
What is an Umrah permit on Nusuk?
An Umrah permit on Nusuk is a booking for a set date and time to perform Umrah at Al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. Nusuk is the official platform of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, available as a phone app and as a website. The permit is personal and linked to one pilgrim's identity, so plan a permit for each person in your group and check in the app how family members are added.
The permit is not a visa. You still need a valid visa or residence permit to be in Saudi Arabia, and the Umrah permit sits on top of it. Rules and screens in the app change from time to time, so treat the app as the final word and use this guide to plan the journey around it.
How do you book an Umrah permit on Nusuk?
The steps below describe the usual process. Labels in the app may differ slightly after updates.
- Download the official Nusuk app from your phone's app store, or open the official Nusuk website. Avoid look-alike apps and websites, and never share your login.
- Create an account with your own details. Visitors use their passport and visa details; residents of Saudi Arabia use their Iqama.
- Choose the Umrah permit option and pick a date.
- Select one of the time slots shown. In busy periods some slots show as full.
- Confirm the booking. The permit then appears in the app, usually with a code that officials can scan.
- Repeat for each person, or add family members if the app offers that option for your account.
- Check the date, time and names before you book flights or taxis around the slot.
How much time should you leave between arrival and your slot?
Choose a slot that leaves room for the whole journey, not just the flight. After landing you still have immigration, baggage, the drive and hotel check-in. Many pilgrims also want to rest before Tawaf after a long night flight.
The road times below are typical and do not include traffic near the Haram. On the Jeddah to Makkah road, Thursday and Friday evenings can add 20 to 30 minutes.
| Starting point | Distance by road | Typical drive | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Airport (JED) to a Makkah hotel | 102 km | 1 h 25 min | Add arrival formalities and check-in; after a night flight, a slot later the same day or the next day is easier |
| Madinah to Makkah | 450 km | 4 h 30 min | Add 30 to 45 minutes for the Ihram stop at Dhul Hulayfah |
| Taif to Makkah | 90 km | 1 h 30 min | Plan the Miqat stop on the way down from Taif |
| Riyadh to Makkah | 880 km | 8 h 30 min | A full day; the road passes the Qarn al-Manazil Miqat at As-Sail |
What should you carry on the day of your Umrah?
Officials may check permits at the entrances to the Tawaf area, especially at busy times. Keep the app open and ready rather than searching for it in a crowd.
- The permit in the Nusuk app, on a charged phone. A small power bank helps.
- Your passport or Iqama, in case officials ask for ID.
- Your Ihram, entered before you passed the Miqat.
- Your hotel's name and location pin, to share with the driver for the return.
- Water and comfortable sandals for the walk from the drop-off point.
Can you change or cancel a Nusuk permit?
The Nusuk app has options to manage your bookings. What you can change, and how close to the slot, depends on the current rules in the app, so check there first rather than relying on old advice from friends or forums.
If your flight is delayed, check the app for a later slot while you wait for your bags. Our drivers track your flight and wait free for 60 minutes after landing, so the taxi adjusts to the new time. Taxi bookings can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before pickup.
How does the permit fit with your taxi booking?
Book the permit first, then book the taxi to match it. Send us your flight number, hotel name and slot time on WhatsApp, and we confirm a fixed fare. A Jeddah Airport to Makkah taxi costs from SAR 180 in an economy sedan, or SAR 330 in a family van for up to 11 people.
Central Makkah roads close around prayer times, so your driver may drop you at the nearest open point rather than the hotel door. You receive the driver's name and plate number the day before, and the driver helps with luggage at the drop-off. Our Umrah transport package covers the airport, Makkah, Madinah and the return in one booking.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking one permit and assuming it covers the whole family.
- Choosing a slot only an hour or two after landing.
- Using a look-alike app or sharing your login with strangers.
- Letting your phone battery run down before you reach the Haram.
- Confusing the Umrah permit with the Rawdah booking in Madinah, which is separate.