Millions of Muslims, spread all over the world, await each year the holy pilgrimage of the Umrah, which is a special religious journey to the holiest places of Mecca and Medina. With the advent of the 2025 season of Umrah (1447 AH in the Islamic calendar), Saudi Arabia has put forward new regulations that will simplify the process of the pilgrimage, safeguard the pilgrims and welcome the objectives of the Vision 2030 of the Kingdom.
The most notable of the changes includes a requirement to book hotels using the Nusuk Masar platform for pilgrims applying to obtain an Umrah visa.
This blog has all you need to know about the Nusuk requirement, who it concerns, how to make your way around these new regulations, and what it all will imply for your spiritual process. Continue reading till the end for a more refined understanding of the new regulations to ensure a hassle-free Umrah journey.
What’s New for Umrah Pilgrims in 2025?
While the rest of the process remains as it has been, there is a mandatory change in the way hotel reservations are made. Here is a more detailed discussion on the change;
Effective from June 10, 2025, Saudi Arabia has mandated that people applying to obtain an Umrah visa must ensure a confirmed hotel booking in Mecca, as well as Medina, through the official Nusuk Masar platform.
- Pilgrims are required to pick an accommodation that has been licensed by the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Civil Defence.
- The reservations must be on the exact dates that have been mentioned in the visa application.
- Before issuance of the visa, hotels are required to electronically approve every reservation through the Nusuk.
This requirement not only guarantees the pilgrims to have secure and verified accommodation but also guards them against dubious booking agents or unregulated lodgings.
Also Read:- Umrah ki Duas
About the Nusuk Masar Platform
Nusuk Masar platform is a centralised application developed and introduced by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia. It combines all the services related to an Umrah trip. Some of the services provided on the platform include;
- Application and issuance of Visas
- Reservation of Mecca / Medina hotels
- Internal transport (e.g. Haramain train)
- Scheduling of pilgrimage-related services
The platform will strive to ensure a smooth experience for pilgrims, whereby all reservations and plans are to be handled in a transparent and secure government-backed system.
Reasons for the Changes to be Introduced
The newly introduced Umrah regulations are not at random. They have been introduced with numerous purposes in mind:
- Pilgrim Protection – To avoid fraud by people masquerading as travel agents who promise bogus packages or unlicensed accommodations.
- Efficient Logistics – To assist the Saudi authorities in maintaining an efficient flow of pilgrims and delivering services effectively.
- Tourism Regulation – Only properties that are licensed are permitted to run, so the quality of services and safety increases.
- Compliance with the Vision 2030 – As part of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to grow in religious tourism and ensure high standards.
Enforcing all hotel reservations to pass through a government-approved portal, Saudi Arabia has managed to build a very controlled and surveillance-heavy system that should eventually make the whole process safer and more uniform.
Who Is Affected by the New Rules?
A question that is natural to occur in this circumstance is who is going to be affected by these changes in the rules.
- Umrah Visa Applicants
Those pilgrims who request an Umrah visa through a travel agent or in a group package must reserve their accommodation through the Nusuk Masar platform. In its absence, the visa will be denied. This is the case with the majority of pilgrims who are coming to South Asia, Africa and other non-Western nations.
- Tourist Visa or e-Visa Holders
Interestingly, the new regulations do not cover people who are going to Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa or an e-visa. These individuals:
- Can do Umrah without reservation through Nusuk
- Has the freedom to select the place to stay
- Stay up to 90 days is allowed
This renders the tourist visa approach desirable by independent tourists or families desiring flexibility in terms of planning their trip.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Umrah 2025
At Superb Hajj and Umrah, we are completely up to date with the most recent guidelines, and we are more than willing to assist and guide you throughout. This is how we will simplify the new procedure for our esteemed pilgrims;
Choose a Licensed Agent – Superb Hajj and Umrah is a licensed company and fully equipped to work within the Nusuk system, which means that all our services are offered according to the current Saudi regulations.
Plan Your Dates – We assist you in specifying the best time to travel, based on how soon the visa will be ready and when the hotels are available on Nusuk.
Register on Nusuk Masar – Our team helps with the whole process of registration or does it for you, ensuring all the data is entered correctly.
Book Accommodations – We book licensed and verified hotels in Mecca and Medina directly through the Nusuk program.
Get Electronic Approval – We currently liaise directly with our partner hotels to ascertain that your booking undergoes electronic confirmation as is required by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Apply for Your Visa – All approvals will be processed, and then Superb Hajj and Umrah will make your visa application and keep a check on the visa application.
Travel and Perform Umrah – All that you have to do now is stuff your suitcases and concentrate on performing Umrah. We take the hassles away so that you have a care-free pilgrimage.
Pros and Cons of the New Changes
Pros:
- Pilgrims will experience a safer and scam-free journey
- Better accommodation facilities
- More effective crowd control
- Less extortion by unregulated agents
Cons:
- Very little flexibility in accommodation choice
- Potential rise in prices because of the lack of alternatives
- Additional planning measures
Despite a few downsides, most pilgrims will benefit from the added layers of security and organisation the system provides.
Umrah Visa vs Tourist Visa: Which Is Better?
Based on your country of origin and travel preferences, you could get both the Umrah visa and a tourist visa. The following is a direct comparison between the two:
| Feature | Umrah Visa | Tourist Visa |
| Requires Nusuk Booking | Yes | No |
| Duration of Stay | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days |
| Entry Type | Single Entry | Multiple Entry |
| Flexibility | Low | High |
| Ideal For | Groups, guided tours | Solo or family travellers |
A tourist visa might suit you better, in case you are a tech-savvy person willing to organise your trip on your own. Nevertheless, the more popular option is the Umrah visa, for people who want to have assistance and full features of a group package.
Impact on Travel Agencies
At Superb Hajj and Umrah, our systems are already updated, and we have trained our staff to be ready to introduce packages that are compliant with Nusuk requirements. No matter whether you are booking a simple Umrah trip or a VIP package, we ensure you of compliance, comfort and peace of mind. You do not need to be concerned about navigating the technical platforms since we will do it on your behalf. In short;
- Updating internal booking systems
- Training staff to handle Nusuk procedures
- Offering only licensed accommodations
You can rely on Superb Hajj and Umrah for all your Umrah needs. We run our operations with a professional team, verified partners, and a promise to make the Umrah 2025 easy, spiritually enriching, and without violations of the latest rules set by Saudi Arabia.
Future Implications
Nusuk is one of the many initiatives that are under implementation in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030. By 2030, the country intends to host more than 30 million pilgrims every year. Currently, Umrah logistics are being digitised and regulated, which means that the Kingdom is preparing to conduct more scalable pilgrimage operations in the coming years.
The model is possible to be further expanded to include the Hajj pilgrimage in future, which in turn would demand even more sound infrastructure and real-time monitoring systems.
Conclusion
The Umrah season 2025 will be the new age of pilgrimage management. The Saudi government is focusing on security, transparency, and high service standards following the introduction of the mandatory Nusuk Masar hotel bookings. The new rules might need some time to adapt to, but they are basically geared towards enhancing the pilgrimage experience, and it is perceived to be in line with the long-term objectives of the country.
The most important step is to always be prepared and know the most up-to-date rules, whether you go by the conventional Umrah visa or you want to take up the tourist visa that has less restrictions. Through proper planning, doing Umrah in 2025 will be a seamless, fulfilling and an ecstatic experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Nusuk Masar platform?
A. It is an authorized platform of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to organize all the booking related to pilgrimage such as hotels, transportation and permits. Starting June 10, 2025, applicants of Umrah visa will need to use it to validate their lodging.
Q. Is Nusuk booking mandatory for tourist visa holders?
A. No. Tourist visa travellers are not required to use Nusuk. They will be able to reserve their rooms and manage their itinerary on their own.
Q. Are these rules applicable to the Hajj?
A. No, at the time these rules are only applicable to Umrah. Nonetheless, the usage of such systems can be imposed on Hajj in the future.
Q. What happens if my hotel booking is not approved?
A. In case your hotel does not electronically confirm the booking on Nusuk, your visa application will be declined.
Q.Can I use a third-party website like Booking.com?
A. Not in the case of Umrah visa applicants. Any hotel reservations have to be made via Nusuk Masar.
Q. Is there any fee for using Nusuk Masar?
A. The platform itself is free of charge to use, but hotel rates and other services booked via Nusuk will vary.