The ‘Makkah Route’ Digital Pass: 3 Steps for 2026 Pilgrims to Streamline Their Journey Through the New Tawakkalna Portal

In 2026, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is upgrading the iconic Makkah Route Initiative (MRI) with a huge digital overhaul. The Saudi Ministry of Interior and Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority have now incorporated the initiative into the Tawakkalna Services platform, allowing eligible pilgrims to enjoy a much easier digital travel experience.

The new “Makkah Route” Digital Pass has been introduced, which is supposed to enable pilgrims from 10 approved countries to undergo immigration, health, and security clearance processes before their flights to Makkah. This should bring the earrings quicker, ease the congestion of the airports, and make the spiritual journey during Hajj 2026 smoother.

What is the Makkah Route Initiative?

The Makkah Route Initiative is a smart travel system aiming at making pilgrimage easier. Pilgrims from the following countries are now allowed to finish their entry procedures at their countries of origin. The following countries are granted the opportunity to complete entry procedures at their country of origin airport before departing: Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Morocco, Senegal, Brunei, Maldives, and Côte d’Ivoire.

The project is one of the initiatives under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for Smart Government, Digital Services, and to improve the pilgrimage experience for millions of Muslims around the world.

Step 1: Log in to Tawakkalna and Submit Biometrics.

The pilgrims need to register their profile with their passport details and details about the Hajj visa in the Tawakkalna App first. The app has been available worldwide, even without a Saudi SIM card, since the end of 2025.

Pilgrims will undergo biometric verification with their fingerprints and iris scans at pre-established Makkah Route lounges within the participating airports. After verification, the Digital Hajj Permit is automatically enabled within the app wallet.

Step 2: Use the Digital Hajj Permit at Departure

Pilgrims no longer have to wait in the usual lines of foreigners waiting to receive their visas, but instead can provide the QR code generated by the Tawakkalna app to the Saudi authorities at their departure airport.

This “Unified Digital Pathway” validates the visa status, health status, and security clearance in seconds. When pilgrims arrive, they are already approved for entry to Saudi Arabia, minimising waiting times when they get on their flights.

Step 3: Smart Luggage Tracking and Hotel Delivery

The Smart Luggage Link system is one of the most innovative among all the features in 2026. The bag is electronically linked with the Tawakkalna profile and accommodation details of the pilgrim in Makkah/Madinah.

Once the pilgrims have landed, they are not required to wait in the baggage hall. Instead, they go straight to their transport buses with their bags being automatically followed and taken to their hotels.

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Important Reminder for Pilgrims

The Tawakkalna app is the primary digital identity tool, while the physical Nusuk Card is necessary for gaining access to the holy sites, which include Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. While in the process of preparing for a pilgrimage, pilgrims are advised to connect both systems before departure for ease of obtaining permits and transportation schedules.

FAQs

Q1. What are the countries in the Makkah Route Initiative for 2026?

Participants are now pilgrims from Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Morocco, Senegal, Brunei, the Maldives, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Q2. Do the pilgrims need a Saudi SIM card to use Tawakkalna?

Tawakkalna has been offered worldwide without the requirement of a Saudi cell phone number since 2025.

Q3. What’s the greatest advantage of the Digital Pass?

This system will enable pilgrims to complete immigration and security clearance before they leave, thus reducing the time waiting for the pilgrims after they arrive in Saudi Arabia.

Q4. Should they continue to use the Nusuk Card?

Yes. The Nusuk Card is still compulsory for entering important places during Hajj, and it has to be connected with the Tawakkalna services.