Ministry of Hajj and Umrah

What Ministry of Hajj and Umrah does

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is a government ministry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia mandated as the sole statutory authority to regulate, license, and oversee Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages to Makkah, Madinah, and the surrounding holy sites. The Ministry serves two principal customer segments: domestic pilgrims (Saudi citizens and residents booking through the domestic Hajj path) and international pilgrims (Muslims from outside Saudi Arabia applying for Umrah visas and Hajj packages through accredited external agents in source markets such as the UK, Tunisia, Kuwait, Bangladesh, and Malaysia), and additionally regulates a fragmented ecosystem of licensed Hajj and Umrah service companies operating domestically and abroad.

The Ministry operates a cloud-based digital services ecosystem anchored by the Nusuk platform (mobile app available on iOS, Android, and Huawei app stores plus web portal), the Nusuk Masar operational portal supporting over 500 digital services during Hajj seasons, the Nusk standalone pilgrimage planning platform, the Maqam central booking engine connecting pilgrims to approved service platforms for hotels, transportation, and ground services, and the Nusuk Card system for real-time pilgrim tracking. The ecosystem integrates with the national Tawakkalna identity and health verification system, the Absher government portal, and the SADAD electronic payment system (Biller No. 161). The Hajj and Umrah Information Center has been migrated to cloud computing infrastructure, and the Nusuk Card recorded over 3.5 million scans during the 1447 AH Hajj season, alongside 80,000+ inspection tours and a 98.5% service completion rate for Hajj package reservations.

The Ministry generates revenue through transaction-based fees (Umrah visa fees estimated at ~300 SAR per international pilgrim, Hajj package booking fees, and an electronic service fee of SAR 67.85 per rejected permit), licensing fees for domestic Hajj companies and international pilgrim service companies (with licensing applications for the 1448 AH season currently open to foreign companies), and additional service fees for sacrificial animals, transportation, and optional hotel upgrades via the Nusk app. Distribution is primarily product-led through the self-serve Nusuk digital platform, supplemented by physical Guest Care Centers at Makkah, Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport, and Madinah, the Enaya Center for pilgrim assistance, and an external agent network of accredited Umrah companies in pilgrims' home countries.

Name

Ministry of Hajj and Umrah

Legal name

Ministry of Hajj and Umrah

Website

https://haj.gov.sa

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is the sole Saudi government authority regulating Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, serving millions of domestic and international pilgrims through its cloud-based Nusuk digital platform (mobile app, web portal, Maqam booking engine) that delivers 500+ digital services and integrates with national identity and payment systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Pilgrimage Services

NAICS

Travel Agencies (56151), Tour Operators (56152), Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services (5615)

akta.pro primary industry

Hajj & Umrah Travel Agencies (THAKAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pilgrimage Packages (Air-Inclusive) Tour Operators (THAKAHAK), Pilgrimage Logistics & Visa/Permit Specialists (THAKAHAI)

Keywords

• Pilgrimage management services
• Hajj visa processing
• Umrah permit services
• Religious tourism regulation
• Pilgrim service licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Makkah

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Umrah Visa Fees: The Ministry oversees the issuance of Umrah electronic visas (fee estimated at 300 SAR per pilgrim for arrivals from outside Saudi Arabia). Umrah visas are granted for up to 90 days and can be obtained multiple times per year. The Ministry works with external agents accredited by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to process visas through the Nusuk platform.
2. Hajj Package Revenue: Domestic pilgrims book Hajj packages through the Nusuk Masar platform and pay via the SADAD electronic payment system (Biller No. 161). Packages include accommodation, transport, and ground services through licensed Hajj companies and establishments. Payment terms are строгие: 72 hours initially, reduced to 6 hours closer to the season.
3. Licensing of Hajj and Umrah Companies: The Ministry licenses both domestic Hajj companies and international (foreign) pilgrim service companies to operate within the Kingdom. Licensing applications for the 1448 AH Hajj season were open for foreign companies. Licensed Umrah companies and establishments can be verified through the Ministry's electronic inquiry service.
4. E-Service Fees: Electronic service fees are charged for Hajj permit processing (SAR 67.85 per pilgrim when permit is rejected by Ministry of Interior). Additional services such as sacrificial animal purchases (Udhiyah), additional transportation, and optional hotel upgrades are available through the platform at extra cost.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is the sole Saudi government authority that regulates and delivers Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage services. It issues Umrah visas and Hajj permits, operates the Nusuk digital platform (app and web) for permit applications, Hajj package bookings, and Rawdah Sharifah scheduling, licenses domestic and international Hajj/Umrah service companies, and coordinates pilgrim care through Guest Care Centers and the Enaya Center. The offering combines statutory regulatory authority with a cloud-based digital ecosystem spanning 500+ services to facilitate millions of pilgrims annually.

Product overview

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah operates a multi-platform digital ecosystem consisting of the E-Services Portal (offering 10 electronic services including Umrah permit applications, Hajj package bookings, and transaction management), the Nusuk (Nusk) mobile application for pilgrim self-service including permit applications and companion management, and the Nusuk Masar platform supporting over 500 digital services for operational readiness. The ecosystem is complemented by information portals for Hajj and Umrah guidance, and the Nusuk Card system for pilgrim tracking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nusuk: Digital platform and mobile application for pilgrims to manage Hajj and Umrah permits, book services, and access over 500 digital services. Includes Nusuk Card for pilgrim identification and tracking.
• Nusuk Masar

Products and services

• Nusuk (Nusk) Mobile App

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.5 million+ Nusuk card scans since Dhu al-Qi'dah 1, 1447 AH
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Digital Government Authority (DGA)coreOthersThe Ministry's official website is registered with the Saudi Digital Government Authority, which oversees digital government services. This partnership ensures the Ministry's digital services comply with national digital government standards and infrastructure.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Saudi Arabia)coreOthersThe Ministry collaborates with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on visa issuance for Umrah pilgrims. Umrah visas are granted through Saudi embassies abroad and the visa platform (visa.mofa.gov.sa), with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handling the consular aspects of visa processing.
• General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy MosquescoreOthersThe Authority manages Al-Masjid al-Haram (Makkah) and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Madinah). The Ministry coordinates with this Authority on pilgrim access, permit systems for Rawdah Sharifah, and visitor management at the holy mosques.
• National Data Management OfficecoreOthersThe Ministry operates under the National Data Management Office's Freedom of Information policy, which governs public data access and transparency requirements for the Ministry's information.
• Tawakkalna Platform (National Services Platform)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe Nusuk platform integrates with Saudi Arabia's Tawakkalna application for identity verification and health status checks. Permits are displayed and verified through both Tawakkalna and Nusuk applications. Pilgrims register COVID-19 vaccinations in Tawakkalna upon entry.
• Public Security (Saudi Arabia)coreOthersThe Ministry collaborates with Saudi Public Security on Hajj operations, including the Hajj Operations Center and Performance Efficiency Centers in the holy sites. Coordination includes crowd management, security operations, and pilgrim movement monitoring during the Hajj season.
• Ministry of Health (Saudi Arabia)coreOthersThe Ministry coordinates with the Saudi Ministry of Health on vaccination requirements for pilgrims (meningococcal, seasonal influenza, COVID-19 vaccines). Health reports from government hospitals are accepted for refund requests due to health incapacity.
• Saudi Business CenterminorOthersLinked as an important external resource on the Ministry's website footer, serving as a central hub for business-related services in Saudi Arabia.
• Nusk PlatformcoreTechnology or IntegrationNusk (nusuk.sa) is the official pilgrimage planning platform through which pilgrims can plan Umrah and visits independently. The Ministry operates and promotes this platform as part of its digital service ecosystem alongside the Nusuk app.
• Accredited International Umrah CompaniescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUmrah offices and companies in pilgrims' countries of origin, accredited by the Ministry, serve as external agents facilitating Umrah visa issuance and service package delivery. These companies use the Nusuk platform to process pilgrim services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Saudi Digital Government Authority (DGA): Regulatory body overseeing all Saudi government digital services. Comparable as the standards-setting authority for the Ministry's digital platforms, providing the compliance and infrastructure framework under which the Nusuk ecosystem operates.

Emerging players

• Almosafer: Saudi online travel agency that serves Umrah and pilgrimage travelers. Comparable because it operates as a customer-facing booking layer over the same Saudi travel ecosystem, with potential integration with the Ministry's Maqam booking engine.
• Elm Company: Saudi digital government services firm that builds and operates digital platforms for government entities. Comparable as a likely technology enablement partner for Nusuk and similar Ministry-scale digital ecosystems.
• flynas: Saudi low-cost carrier that also operates Hajj and Umrah flights. Comparable as a fellow licensed air-ticketing operator in the pilgrimage travel chain, with similar coordination requirements with the Ministry's Nusuk platform.

Broad incumbents

• Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia): National flag carrier and designated Hajj/Umrah air operator. Comparable because Saudia operates the bulk of Hajj charter flights and works closely with the Ministry on pilgrim air travel, with overlapping logistics and licensing relationships.
• Saudi Tourism Authority: Sister Saudi government entity responsible for promoting the Kingdom as a global tourism destination. Complementary to the Ministry's focus on religious tourism, both operate under Vision 2030 tourism targets and share brand and coordination mandates.
• Visit Saudi (Brand under STA): Destination marketing brand promoting Saudi tourism globally. Comparable as a fellow Saudi-government tourism channel targeting international pilgrims and visitors, with overlapping audience and marketing mandates.

Direct peers

• General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques: Saudi government authority managing Al-Masjid al-Haram and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi operations. A current Ministry partner that controls on-site pilgrim access, Rawdah Sharifah scheduling, and visitor management, making it a tightly interlocking government peer.
• Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites: Saudi government body overseeing urban planning and infrastructure development in Makkah and the holy sites. Directly comparable as it governs the physical environment in which the Ministry's pilgrim services operate, with overlapping jurisdictional scope.

Regional players

• Diriyah Company: Saudi government-backed developer of Diriyah as a cultural heritage tourism destination. Comparable as a Vision 2030-aligned tourism operator under Saudi sovereign direction, though focused on heritage rather than religious pilgrimage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HajMinistry
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SaudiMOHU
• Facebookfacebook.com/SaudiMOHU
• LinkedInsa.linkedin.com/company/ministry-of-hajj-and-umrah
• Instagraminstagram.com/saudimohu
• TikToktiktok.com/@saudimohu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ministry of Hajj and Umrah