Hajj 2026: Tawakkalna app extends services for Makkah Route pilgrims
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Saudi Arabia is widening the use of its national platform Tawakkalna to support Hajj pilgrims, allowing those enrolled in the Makkah Route Initiative to access and present permits digitally before leaving their home countries.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that the update forms part of efforts to simplify the pilgrimage process through connected digital systems developed by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
SDAIA oversees the technical infrastructure behind the Makkah Route Initiative, linking multiple government bodies through a single framework aimed at faster processing and more accurate identity and biometric checks.
Pilgrims using Tawakkalna can review permits and travel documents from the early stages of their journey, reducing processing time on arrival in Saudi Arabia and improving movement through to accommodation in Makkah.
The Makkah Route Initiative, led by the Ministry of Interior, enables travellers from selected countries to complete immigration, customs and health procedures at departure airports, easing congestion at Saudi entry points.
Tawakkalna has expanded into a broad government services platform, offering more than 1,300 services through partnerships with over 350 public and private entities, according to SPA.
The application has more than 35 million users, with over one million using it daily. Authorities present it as a single access point for services including permits, identification and travel tools for citizens, residents and visitors.
The platform received the Best Arab Smart Government App award at the Arab Government Excellence Awards in Cairo last year.
Officials have also pointed to increased use of artificial intelligence within the system to link services and improve performance. At the Google Cloud Saudi Summit in Riyadh in November 2025, executives described Tawakkalna as a national “super app” built on integrated digital infrastructure.
Available in several languages, the platform is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader program to upgrade public services and improve the experience of visitors, including those travelling for Hajj and Umrah.