MAKKAH: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reiterated that everyone wishing to enter the holy sites must have a "Nusuk" smart card for compliant pilgrims for the years 1445–2024.

This mandate is applicable to all pilgrims and organisers overseeing the affairs of pilgrims and labourers. Penalties for violators will be akin to those imposed for breaking Hajj rules and guidelines.

The Ministry stressed in a series of statements on its X (previously Twitter) and Facebook sites that the “Nusuk” smart card makes a distinction between pilgrims who follow the rules and those who do not. It emphasised that those without the card will not be allowed entry to the sacred locations.

The "Nusuk" smart card was introduced by the Ministry last week. It comes in two paper versions that pilgrims can carry and a digital version that can be accessed by using a smartphone camera to scan the code on the paper card.



The characteristics of the card, as highlighted by the Ministry, include alerts about departure dates and ease of movement for pilgrims. Pilgrims can also use the card to review services and file complaints.

The Ministry also restated its admonition not to fall for bogus Hajj campaigns that are promoted on international social media sites. The statement underscores that doing the Hajj is exclusively authorised by means of a visa given by the appropriate authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the Hajj Affairs offices in the participating countries, or through the “Nusuk Hajj” platform for countries without Hajj missions.