For millions of Muslims around the world, performing Umrah is a dream that carries deep spiritual meaning. In 2026, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, through its official Nusuk platform, has given registered users a real opportunity: the Nusuk Free Umrah Challenge, a campaign offering a chance to win a fully sponsored Umrah trip. This updated guide covers everything you need to know: what Nusuk is, how the challenge works, the official 1448 AH Umrah season calendar, how Pakistanis can apply, and, just as importantly, the scams to avoid.
What Is Nusuk?
Nusuk is the official digital platform developed and operated by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. It was introduced to digitize and streamline the entire Umrah and Hajj experience for pilgrims worldwide. The Nusuk app and website currently support booking Umrah permits (mandatory for all international pilgrims), scheduling visits to Rawdah Al-Sharifah in Masjid an-Nabawi, applying for eVisas and managing travel documents, booking Haramain High-Speed Train tickets, navigating Makkah and Madinah with interactive maps, and accessing AI-powered guidance in multiple languages including English, Arabic and Urdu.
One important point: the Umrah and Rawdah permits inside the Nusuk app are completely free. Anyone asking you to pay for a permit is running a scam.
What Is the Nusuk Free Umrah Challenge?
The Nusuk Free Umrah Challenge is an interactive campaign inside the official Nusuk mobile app, designed to engage Muslims globally and reward active users with a fully sponsored Umrah trip. According to the campaign details, 30 lucky winners receive a free Umrah trip covering flights, hotel accommodation and visa fees, with winners selected throughout the campaign period. Participation runs through a gamified experience inside the Competitions Center section of the app, where users answer Islamic knowledge questions to earn entries into the draw. Always confirm the current campaign details inside the official app itself, and never through links forwarded on WhatsApp or social media.
How to Participate in the Nusuk Free Umrah Challenge
Joining the challenge is straightforward. Download or update the official Nusuk app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, then create or log in to your verified Nusuk account. Open the main menu, find the Competitions Center (look for the Umrah Challenge banner), select the challenge, and follow the on-screen steps to answer the daily Islamic knowledge question. Each daily participation counts as an entry into the draw.
Below is a video guide on creating a Nusuk account and participating in the challenge. The guide is in Urdu, but the process is the same for everyone.
Umrah Season 1448 AH: The Official 2026-2027 Calendar
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the official calendar for the 1448 AH Umrah season. Umrah visa issuance and pilgrim entry into the Kingdom began on 31 May 2026, with entry into Makkah and Umrah permit issuance via the Nusuk app starting 1 June 2026. The final date for issuing Umrah visas is 9 March 2027, the final entry date is 23 March 2027, and all pilgrims must depart by 7 April 2027. Plan your application around these windows, especially if you are booking for Ramadan.
New in 2026: The One-Year Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa
In July 2026, Saudi Arabia launched a one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa. It is valid for 365 days from issuance and allows a cumulative stay of up to 90 days across the year. Note that it goes dormant during the Hajj window each year (1 Dhu al-Qadah to 13 Dhu al-Hijjah), when no entries are allowed. Importantly, every visit still requires a Nusuk service package (hotel and transport from an approved provider) and an Umrah permit via the Nusuk app.
How Pakistanis Apply for Umrah in 2026
For Pakistanis, the default 2026 route runs through a Pakistani tour operator attested by Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (MORA), which processes the visa through the Nusuk Masar backend portal. Under the “No Booking, No Visa” policy, the visa application must link to a Booking Reference Number for Nusuk-approved hotel accommodation plus pre-booked transport and verified round-trip flights.
Before paying anyone, verify your operator on MORA’s official attested-operators list at mora.gov.pk. A name that appeared on a previous season’s list is not proof it is approved for the current one.
Is There a Government Free Umrah Scheme for Everyone?
To be clear: there is no government free-Umrah scheme open to the general public in 2026. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit, overseen by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, hosts selected guests each year and may cover flights, accommodation and logistics, but places are invitation and selection based, not an open giveaway.
Corporate promotions do appear from time to time. Yango Pakistan ran a genuine Umrah lucky draw (two tickets, winner plus companion, entry via profile verification in the Yango app), but its deadline was 13 September 2026 and it is now closed. Treat any new “free Umrah” announcement with the checks below before believing it.
Free Umrah Scams to Avoid
Where there is a dream, there are fraudsters. Protect yourself with these rules: never pay for Nusuk permits (they are free); never trust “guaranteed visa” or “visa-only” offers (only Saudi Arabia issues visas, and since 2025 no Umrah visa is issued without a confirmed Nusuk hotel booking); never send passport scans, CNIC details or bank OTPs through social media DMs (real processes run on official portals); and be skeptical of paid raffles like PakDream, which charges per lucky number and is gambling-adjacent, not a free scheme. If a lucky draw cannot show you its organizer, its terms and its past winners, walk away.
Official Links
Bookmark the sources that matter: the 1448 AH season calendar at haj.gov.sa, the Nusuk Umrah platform at umrah.nusuk.sa, the main Nusuk portal at nusuk.sa, and Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs Umrah page at mora.gov.pk for the attested-operators list.
Final Thoughts
The Nusuk Free Umrah Challenge is a genuine opportunity inside the official app, and the 2026 season brings real improvements like the multiple-entry visa. But the space around “free Umrah” also attracts the worst kind of fraud. Participate only through official channels, verify every operator on MORA’s list, and remember the golden rule: if someone asks you to pay for something the government gives free, it is a scam. For related reading, see our guides on free Umrah lucky draws and Umrah packages from Pakistan.
Sources
- Nusuk: official Umrah platform (Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah)
- Nusuk: official portal
- Pakistan Ministry of Religious Affairs (official)
Umar is an engineer by profession and a passionate writer by passion. He has a deep interest in sharing good news related to Pakistan and has been working hard to promote the positive image of his homeland. Umar has written numerous articles on various topics related to Pakistan, such as technology, sports, culture, and economy.
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