In short
Every pilgrim now needs an Umrah permit from the Nusuk app, booked and shown on your phone when entering the Grand Mosque. That makes internet a necessity on an Umrah or Hajj trip: for your permit, for staying in touch with your group and family, and for maps and transport. Install a Saudi Arabia eSIM before you travel, save your permits on your phone, and plan around peak crowds.
Umrah season dates 1448 AH
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Umrah visas start being issued and pilgrims start entering the Kingdom | 14 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH (31 May 2026) |
| Entry to Makkah and Umrah permits via Nusuk begin | 15 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH (1 June 2026) |
| Last day for issuing Umrah visas | 1 Shawwal 1448 AH (9 March 2027) |
| Last day for pilgrims to enter | 15 Shawwal 1448 AH (23 March 2027) |
| Last day for pilgrims to leave | 30 Shawwal 1448 AH (7 April 2027) |
As for Hajj 1448 AH, the Day of Arafah is expected to fall on approximately 15 May 2027, with the final date set by the moon sighting. The Umrah season pauses before Hajj, as shown in the table, then resumes afterwards.
Visa and permit: who needs what?
If you’re coming from outside Saudi Arabia, you need a visa that allows Umrah: an Umrah visa, or a tourist visa outside the Hajj season. GCC residents can perform Umrah on an Umrah visa, a tourist visa, or the transit visa issued with a booking on Saudia or flynas. GCC citizens enter the Kingdom with their national ID.
But a visa alone isn’t enough. Every pilgrim needs an Umrah permit from Nusuk, and praying in the Rawdah requires a separate permit. Hajj has its own visa and permit, and can only be performed through licensed authorities and Hajj operators.
How to book an Umrah permit on Nusuk
Booking your Umrah permit
- Download the Nusuk app and register your details.
- Go to “Permits”, then “Umrah”.
- Choose who will perform Umrah, and add companions if the option appears.
- Choose an available date and time, then confirm the booking.
- Save the QR code on your phone; it's shown at the gates of the Grand Mosque.
A tip from the field
A small tip from the field: take a screenshot of your permit and save it in your photos. The gates are very crowded, and you won’t want to wait for the app to load with people behind you.
The apps you'll open the most
Nusuk first, for permits and Rawdah appointments. Then a maps app, since the hotels around the Haram are many and look alike. WhatsApp to stay in touch with your group leader and family, plus delivery and transport apps. If you’ll travel between Makkah and Madinah, book the Haramain train in advance on its website or app. All of these apps need internet, mostly at the very moment you’re in the middle of the crowds.
Internet in Makkah and Madinah: what to expect
Saudi Arabia has three main networks: STC, Mobily and Zain. At peak times, such as Friday prayers, the nights of Ramadan and the days of Hajj, millions of people gather in a small area, so the network around the Haram may slow down. You can’t change that, but you can prepare for it: download offline maps of Makkah and Madinah, share your live location with your family before going in, and agree on a specific gate to meet at, such as King Abdulaziz Gate, if you lose contact.
Data usage (estimates)
A 15-minute daily video call with family uses about 75 to 150 MB on its own. If you’ll call every day and share lots of photos and videos, choose a larger allowance or an unlimited plan.
A 22SIM eSIM for Umrah and Hajj
22SIM offers plans for Saudi Arabia, combined Saudi Arabia and Bahrain or Saudi Arabia and Qatar plans for those passing through more than one country, and a GCC plan. Install the eSIM at home the day before you travel; when you arrive in Jeddah or Madinah, your phone connects to the network, and your original number and WhatsApp stay as they are, so your family can call you on the number they know. If your group is large, there’s a group discount when buying several eSIMs at once, and the support team replies in Arabic 24/7 if you need help with installation.
Install your Saudi Arabia eSIM before you pack your bag.
Pre-travel checklist
Before you travel
- A valid passport and visa, or a national ID for GCC citizens.
- Your Umrah permit from Nusuk, plus a screenshot of it in your photos.
- An eSIM installed before you travel.
- A power bank, because your phone will be working all day.
- Offline maps of Makkah and Madinah downloaded.
- A WhatsApp group for your family or Hajj group.
- A sheet of paper with the hotel name and address and your group leader's number, especially for elderly travelers.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an Umrah permit if I have an Umrah visa?
Yes. The visa lets you enter the Kingdom, but performing Umrah requires a permit from the Nusuk app.
Can I perform Umrah on a tourist visa?
Yes, outside the Hajj season, with an Umrah permit booked on Nusuk.
When does entry for Umrah pilgrims stop before Hajj 1448 AH?
The last day for pilgrims to enter is 15 Shawwal 1448 AH (23 March 2027), and the last day to leave is 7 April 2027.
Do my number and WhatsApp keep working with an eSIM?
Yes. Your original SIM stays in your phone and the eSIM works alongside it for internet, so your number keeps receiving calls and messages.
What should I do if the signal is weak at the Haram gates?
Open the screenshot of your permit instead of the app, use your pre-downloaded maps, and wait a little away from the crowded spot.
The verdict
An Umrah or Hajj trip now runs through your phone: permits, communication and getting around. Get your permits ready on Nusuk, install a Saudi Arabia eSIM before you travel, and agree with your family on a meeting point that doesn’t depend on the network.
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