The Saudi government’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has made groundbreaking changes to the visa process for international pilgrims to the Holy city. The new regulations mandate that the catering fee be included as a mandatory part of the Umrah visa processing fee for pilgrims coming from certain countries, such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Egypt. This system guarantees that every pilgrim receives a daily catering allowance managed completely through digital platforms. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of how this system works and how you can seamlessly redeem your Nusuk Meal Voucher during your spiritual journey in Makkah and Madinah.
Understanding the New Nusuk Catering Policy
The updated regulatory framework addresses prior logistical challenges faced by pilgrims regarding food quality, budgeting, and unauthorized external catering agents. Under this law, a fixed allocation of 20 Saudi Riyals (SAR) per day is collected upfront during the visa application process.
The total catering amount corresponds exactly to the number of days the pilgrim is permitted to stay in the Kingdom. Instead of receiving physical cash or physical paper coupons, this money is securely held within the unified electronic portal linked directly to the pilgrim’s digital profile. The funds are issued in the form of a unique Booking Reference Number (BRN) Meal Code, ensuring maximum financial transparency and eliminating middleman price manipulation.
How the Nusuk Meal Voucher is Allocated
The generation of your meal allowance happens automatically through a secure, multi-tier digital system:
Visa Application Integration: When your licensed travel agency inputs your passport credentials into the official Nusuk Masar platform, the mandatory 20 SAR daily catering fee is automatically added to the base visa cost.
BRN Meal Code Generation: Upon successful payment processing, the central Nusuk system automatically generates a dedicated BRN Meal Code linked exclusively to your passport number.
System Synced Activation: The meal code generated, will be inactive until your physical arrival data is entered in the immigration authorities at the entry points of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and will then be used for the day.
Step-by-Step Guide to Redeeming Your Meal Voucher on the Nusuk App
To utilize your daily 20 SAR catering allowance at authorized food establishments across the holy cities, follow these mandatory digital steps:
1. Download and Update the Nusuk App
Download the official Nusuk App from Apple App Store / Google Play Store before leaving or as soon as you arrive in Saudi Arabia. If it is already installed, make sure that the app is updated to the newest version to support the catering wallet interface.
2. Access the Digital Pilgrim Profile
Sign into the Nusuk App with your registered passport number, nationality and visa application email. To complete the secure verification process, a One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to your registered mobile number or email.
3. Locate the Nusuk Meal Voucher Interface
Navigate directly to the digital services dashboard or tap your digital Pilgrim ID card within the app interface. You will see a dedicated section labeled “Nusuk Meal Voucher Balance” which displays your total available wallet amount, daily 20 SAR reset status, and your unique QR code identifier.
4. Locate a Registered Restaurant
The Saudi Ministry has registered thousands of certified restaurants, fast food restaurants, and special catering restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the Haram in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Access the interactive map within the Nusuk App with GPS functionality to help you narrow down your search and locate the proper dining options close to your hotel.
5. Present the QR Code for Payment
When ordering your food at the restaurant counter, inform the cashier that you are paying via the Nusuk catering system. Open your app, display the active QR Code or provide your numerical BRN Meal Code. The cashier will scan your screen using a government-linked POS terminal, instantly deducting the order amount from your daily allowance.
Essential Guidelines for Travel Agencies and Group Leaders
Because this system is fully integrated into the backend visa infrastructure, travel operators must adapt their business workflows to prevent visa processing delays:
Inclusive Package Pricing: Agencies must recalibrate their pricing matrices to transparently show pilgrims that the 20 SAR daily food cost is legally tied to the visa infrastructure.
Mandatory Portal Selection: When building group itineraries on the Nusuk Masar portal, agencies must select only from officially licensed Saudi catering partners to clear the electronic visa clearance queue.
This unified digital platform ensures that you can focus entirely on your acts of worship without worrying about food safety or carrying excessive cash for basic meals.
