Indonesia and Saudi Arabia Streamline Hajj Pilgrimage with Digital Integration

Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are enhancing services for Hajj pilgrims through a new digital integration initiative, linking Indonesia’s Hajj management system (SISKOHAT) with Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk platform. This collaboration aims to improve data validity, streamline visa processes, and enhance the overall experience for Indonesian pilgrims, who comprise the largest national contingent participating in the annual Hajj.

Addressing Longstanding Challenges

As the country with the largest Hajj quota globally – over 200,000 pilgrims annually – Indonesia faced challenges in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of its Hajj administration, whereas adhering to Saudi Arabia’s stringent verification standards. The integration of digital platforms directly addresses these issues.

Real-Time Data Exchange and Improved Services

Announced at the Saudi Arabia-Indonesia Umrah Co-Exchange forum in Mecca on February 16, 2026, the integration allows for real-time data transfer from SISKOHAT to Nusuk. This facilitates quicker visa processing, identity validation, and Hajj permit applications, while minimizing data duplication. According to Indonesia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan, the initiative extends beyond technological modernization to prioritize the safety and comfort of Indonesian travelers during the pilgrimage. Minister Irfan emphasized that every aspect of the pilgrimage, from visas and accommodation to healthcare and return travel, will be comprehensively monitored and protected.

Phased Implementation and Future Expansion

Technical teams have been conducting integration checks since October 2025, including cybersecurity reviews and system mapping. By January 2026, SISKOHAT and Nusuk were declared securely connected and operational. Currently, the integration supports visa processing. Future phases will expand to encompass pilgrim grouping and packaging, arrival and departure processes, service contract management, and Umrah services. Farosa, Head of the Centre for Data and Information Technology at Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, stated that this integration establishes a foundation for future digital Hajj services within a reliable data ecosystem.

Enhanced Transparency and Risk Management

The collaboration also aims to increase transparency in Hajj management between the two countries, particularly regarding quota allocation, hotel contracts, and pilgrim services. Indonesia has proposed a more flexible visa replacement mechanism for pilgrims who cancel their trips, preventing quota slots from being forfeited. This addresses issues experienced in the past, such as the inability of thousands of Indonesian pilgrims to depart last Hajj season due to visa delays, resulting in financial losses. Minister Irfan reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Hajj modernization efforts under the Saudi Vision 2030 program.

Cross-Border Healthcare Data Interoperability

Data interoperability extends to healthcare services. Since 2024, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health has implemented the Hajj Pilgrim Health Card (KKJH), featuring digital medical records based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Patient Summary (IPS) standard. Healthcare personnel in Saudi Arabia can access this data via QR code, enabling faster and more accurate treatment decisions. Indonesia and Malaysia are leading the way in large-scale, cross-border health data interoperability, also supporting local health authorities in assessing pilgrim fitness before departure.