How to Get a Rawdah Permit on the Nusuk App (Plus Taxi Pickup Tips)

Visiting Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah – the small, green-carpeted area inside Masjid an-Nabawi between the Prophet’s ﷺ tomb and his minbar – is one of the most anticipated moments of a trip to Madinah. Because the space is small and demand is high, entry is only possible with a free, timed permit booked through the official Nusuk app. There is no other way in, and no one can arrange access outside the app.

This guide walks through exactly how to book that permit, what to expect from your appointment time, and – just as importantly – how to plan your actual travel to the mosque so you arrive calm, on time, and ready.

What Is the Rawdah Permit and Why Do You Need One?

Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah is a limited physical space inside a mosque that receives an enormous number of visitors every day. To manage crowd flow safely, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah requires every visitor – including children old enough to enter alone – to hold a timed digital permit before approaching the Rawdah gates. The permit is issued through Nusuk, Saudi Arabia’s official platform for pilgrimage and mosque services, and it is completely free.

Your permit gives you a specific date, a time slot, and a QR code. Staff at the gate scan the code and may also check your passport, so it helps to have both ready and easily accessible.

Step-by-Step: Booking Your Rawdah Permit on Nusuk

Before You Start

Book your permit before you travel to Madinah if possible, or as early as possible once you arrive. Slots for popular windows can fill quickly, especially during Ramadan and peak Umrah periods.

You will need:

• The Nusuk app installed on your phone (available for iOS and Android), or access to the Nusuk website
• A registered Nusuk account linked to your passport and visa or border number
• A stable internet connection

If you have not registered yet, open Nusuk, choose to register as a visitor, and enter your passport number, visa details, date of birth, and contact information. You will receive a one-time verification code to confirm your account.

The Booking Steps

1. Open the Nusuk app and go to the Prophet’s Mosque or Holy Mosque Services section.
2. Select the Rawdah permit option for men or for women – visiting hours and gates differ by gender, so make sure you choose the correct one.
3. If you are booking for family members linked to your account (sometimes called “companions”), select their names so everyone is included in the same booking session.
4. Choose an available date. Only dates with open capacity will be selectable.
5. Choose an available time slot from the list shown.
6. Review the terms and conditions checkbox, confirm you understand the visit guidelines, and complete the booking.
7. Your permit will appear in the app with a QR code. Screenshot it as a backup, but plan to open the live version in the app when you arrive, since some gate scanners work best with the live, on-screen version.

Many guides note that Rawdah bookings are limited – commonly described as roughly one permit per visitor within a set period – so treat your slot as something to commit to rather than something to rebook casually. Policies can be adjusted by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, so always check the current rules displayed inside the app rather than relying on older information.

If You See “No Slots Available”

This is one of the most common frustrations pilgrims report. A few practical approaches:

• New batches of slots are often released on a rolling basis, so checking back at different times of day – including early morning and late at night – can help.
• Some visitors have more success checking right at the top of the hour or at regular intervals rather than continuously refreshing.
• Be flexible on time slot rather than fixed on a single preferred hour; being inside the Rawdah matters far more than which exact time you go.
• Keep more than one potential visit date in mind if your Madinah stay allows it.
• If you continue to have technical trouble, Nusuk provides in-app help/support and a physical service desk near the Prophet’s Mosque where staff can assist with account issues.

Understanding Your Rawdah Appointment Time

Once your permit is confirmed, your appointment is for a specific window – commonly in the range of 10 to 15 minutes once you are inside the Rawdah itself. This is not a leisurely visit; staff actively guide the flow of visitors through the space so that everyone who has a permit gets their turn. Plan to use your time for focused prayer and supplication rather than photography (photography is generally discouraged or restricted in this area – follow posted guidance and staff instructions).

Your permit is tied to a gender-specific gate and a defined time window, so arriving significantly early or late can complicate your entry. This is exactly where transportation planning matters.

Coordinating Your Taxi Around Your Rawdah Slot

A Rawdah appointment is one of the few moments in a Madinah trip where timing really is fixed – you cannot simply “go a bit later.” Building your travel plan around that fixed point, rather than the other way around, is the single most useful thing you can do to avoid stress on the day.

How Much Time to Allow Before Your Appointment

Plan to arrive at Masjid an-Nabawi at least 30 minutes before your booked time slot. This buffer needs to cover more than just the drive:

• Traffic and drop-off congestion around the central Haram area, which can vary significantly depending on the time of day, day of the week, and whether it is Ramadan or a peak Umrah period
• The walk from your vehicle drop-off point to the correct gate, which is not always short, especially from outer parking and drop-off zones
• Security checks at the entrance
• The queue that typically forms in the mosque courtyard before entry, which can take longer than expected

If you are traveling with a private driver, sharing your exact appointment time in advance allows the pickup time to be planned backward from that fixed slot, rather than guessing.

Getting to the Correct Gate

Men and women use different entry points for the Rawdah, and the specific gate numbers can be updated by mosque authorities from time to time, so always check the gate shown on your own permit rather than relying on a number from a previous trip or a friend’s experience. A private taxi that knows the current drop-off arrangements around Masjid an-Nabawi can save meaningful walking time compared to being dropped at a general mosque entrance and having to navigate to the right gate yourself – this is particularly helpful for elderly travelers or anyone visiting after a long flight.

After Your Visit – Planning the Rest of the Day

Because the Rawdah visit itself is brief, many pilgrims use the same outing to continue on to nearby sites such as Jannat al-Baqi or to return to their hotel to rest before their next prayer or activity. If your day also includes other Ziyarat locations, having private transportation waiting nearby means you are not dependent on public transport schedules or long taxi searches right after an emotionally significant visit. Visitors looking for this kind of flexible, coordinated pickup can contact Madinah Ziyarat Taxi through WhatsApp at +966 57 4915 372 to discuss timing around a Rawdah appointment, hotel pickup, and any additional Ziyarat stops for the same day.

Tips for Families, Elderly Travelers, and Groups

• Each person old enough to enter the Rawdah needs their own permit, even if one phone or one person manages all the bookings in the family.
• Family members’ time slots may not always align perfectly depending on availability, so check whether your group secured the same window or slightly different ones, and plan pickup accordingly.
• For elderly travelers or anyone with mobility concerns, a shorter, more direct route from vehicle to gate matters more than it might for a younger visitor — factor in extra time rather than rushing.
• Carry only what is necessary. Large bags are generally not permitted in the queue or inside the Rawdah area, so leaving bags at the hotel or in the vehicle can simplify entry.
• Staying hydrated before you leave the hotel is worth doing, particularly during warmer months, since the wait in the courtyard can take place outdoors.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Waiting until arrival in Madinah to register on Nusuk, only to find slots limited for the dates you need
• Assuming a screenshot alone will work at the gate instead of having the live permit ready to open
• Underestimating travel time to the mosque, especially during Ramadan or busy Umrah periods
• Bringing large bags or items that are not allowed into the queue
• Treating the Rawdah booking as something that can be freely rebooked — appointments are limited, so a missed slot may not be easy to replace during the same trip

Final Thoughts

Getting a Rawdah permit through Nusuk is a straightforward process once you know the steps, and the appointment itself, though brief, is often described by visitors as one of the most meaningful moments of their time in Madinah. The part that trips people up is rarely the app — it is the travel logistics around a fixed appointment time. Building in a realistic time buffer, confirming your gate, and arranging transportation that can work around your exact slot are what turn a good plan into a smooth morning.

FAQs

1. What is the Rawdah, and why do I need a permit to enter?

Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah is a small area inside Masjid an-Nabawi between the Prophet’s ﷺ tomb and his minbar. Because it is limited in size and heavily visited, a free timed permit booked through the Nusuk app is required for entry.

2. Is the Rawdah permit free?

Yes. Booking a Rawdah permit through the official Nusuk app has no fee.

3. How do I book a Rawdah permit on Nusuk?

Register on Nusuk with your passport and visa details, then go to the Prophet’s Mosque or Holy Mosque Services section, select the Rawdah permit for men or women, choose an available date and time slot, and confirm the booking.

4. Do children need their own Rawdah permit?

Children old enough to enter the Rawdah generally need their own permit, booked the same way as an adult. Very young children may not be permitted inside. Rules can be updated, so check current guidance inside the Nusuk app for your family’s specific ages.

5. Can one person book permits for the whole family?

Typically, yes — one account can book for linked family members or “companions” in the same session, though each visitor still receives an individual permit.

6. What if Nusuk shows “no slots available”?

Check back at different times of day, as new slots are often released on a rolling basis. Being flexible on your preferred time, rather than fixed on one hour, improves your chances.

7. How long can I stay inside the Rawdah?

Appointment windows are commonly around 10 to 15 minutes once inside, with mosque staff guiding visitors through so that everyone with a permit is able to enter.

8. Which gate do I use for my Rawdah appointment?

Men and women use different, gender-specific gates, and gate numbers can be updated by mosque authorities. Always check the gate displayed on your own current permit.

9. How early should I arrive for my Rawdah appointment?

A common recommendation is at least 30 minutes before your booked time, to allow for travel, walking to the correct gate, and security checks and queuing.

10. Can a taxi drop me off close to the Rawdah entrance?

A private taxi familiar with the current drop-off arrangements around Masjid an-Nabawi can generally get you closer to your specific gate than a general mosque drop-off point, which helps reduce walking time before your appointment.

11. Can I combine my Rawdah visit with other Ziyarat sites in the same day?

Yes. Many visitors continue on to nearby sites such as Jannat al-Baqi, or use private transportation to reach other Islamic historical sites in Madinah after their Rawdah appointment.

12. Can I book a Rawdah permit again if I miss my slot?

Missed or unused appointments are generally not simply rescheduled. Because permits are limited within a set period, it is important to arrive on time and treat your booked slot seriously.

13. Is photography allowed inside the Rawdah?

Visitors are asked to follow posted guidance and staff instructions inside the Rawdah, which generally discourages or restricts photography in this specific area out of respect for the space and the flow of visitors.

14. How can I arrange private transportation to Masjid an-Nabawi for my Rawdah appointment?

Visitors looking for private transportation can contact Madinah Ziyarat Taxi through WhatsApp at +966 57 4915 372 to ask about hotel pickup timing, drop-off near the correct gate, and coordinating the rest of a Ziyarat day around a Rawdah appointment.

15. Does the Rawdah permit process change during Ramadan or Hajj season?

Availability and demand can vary significantly during Ramadan and peak Hajj/Umrah periods. It’s worth checking the Nusuk app closely and booking as early as possible during these busier times.