Saudi Arabia has made the Nusuk food voucher mandatory for Umrah pilgrims from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Egypt, with the additional cost now included in the Umrah visa fee.
The move is important for Pakistani pilgrims as it will increase the overall cost of Umrah packages while introducing a standardized digital meal system.
The new policy will come into effect from 1 Rabi ul Awwal and is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to improve services for pilgrims through the Nusuk digital platform.
Key Details
Under the new system, every eligible Umrah pilgrim will pay approximately 20 Saudi riyals per day for meals. The amount will be automatically included in the visa charges instead of being paid separately.
Saudi authorities have integrated key Umrah services—including hotel bookings, transportation, meals, and other travel-related facilities—into the Nusuk platform to simplify the pilgrimage experience.
Key highlights
- Saudi Arabia introduces a mandatory Nusuk food voucher for Umrah pilgrims.
- The policy applies to pilgrims from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Egypt.
- The new system takes effect from 1 Rabi ul Awwal.
- Pilgrims will pay around SAR 20 per day for meals.
- Meal charges will be included in the Umrah visa fee.
- More than 10,000 restaurants in Makkah and Madinah have joined the Nusuk platform.
Each pilgrim will receive a unique QR code linked to their visa, enabling them to obtain meals from participating restaurants through the Nusuk application.
Saudi officials said the initiative is intended to improve the quality of food services, standardize the pilgrim experience, and reduce the role of unauthorized service providers.
“The initiative aims to standardize food services for Umrah pilgrims while improving service quality through the Nusuk digital platform,” Saudi authorities said.
Background
Saudi Arabia has been steadily expanding the Nusuk platform as part of Vision 2030, integrating various pilgrimage services into a single digital ecosystem. Over the past few years, the Kingdom has digitized visa processing, hotel reservations, transport bookings, permits, and religious services to improve the experience for millions of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.
The latest addition brings meal services under the same platform, allowing authorities to monitor service quality and streamline operations.
What This Means
For Pakistani pilgrims, the new policy means Umrah packages are likely to become slightly more expensive due to the mandatory meal voucher.
However, the system is expected to provide greater convenience by ensuring access to approved restaurants through a single digital platform. Travel operators will also need to revise their Umrah package prices to reflect the additional charges.
The move could further improve transparency in pilgrimage services while reducing dependence on informal food providers around the holy cities.
Public Reaction
Travel agents in Pakistan have begun reviewing their Umrah package prices following the announcement. While some industry representatives believe standardized meal services could improve the pilgrim experience, others expect customers to notice higher package costs.
Pilgrims are also seeking clarification on how the meal voucher will work and whether they will have flexibility in choosing participating restaurants.
What’s Next
Travel companies in Pakistan are expected to update their Umrah packages before the policy takes effect on 1 Rabi ul Awwal.
Saudi authorities are also expected to expand and refine the Nusuk platform as part of ongoing efforts to digitize pilgrimage services and improve operational efficiency.
FAQ
What is the Nusuk food voucher?
It is a mandatory meal voucher introduced by Saudi Arabia that allows Umrah pilgrims to receive meals from approved restaurants through the Nusuk platform.
Which countries are affected?
The policy currently applies to Umrah pilgrims from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Egypt.
How much will the food voucher cost?
Pilgrims will pay approximately 20 Saudi riyals per day, with the amount automatically included in their Umrah visa fee.
