Pilgrims using the Tawakkalna app can now view Hajj permits and related travel documents electronically from the initial stages of their journey. (SPA photo)

Arab News

May 08, 2026

• Kingdom leverages AI-powered “super app” to streamline pilgrimage procedures before travelers even depart for Saudi Arabia
• Tawakkalna expands to over 1,300 services as Saudi Arabia deepens digital transformation under Vision 2030

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is expanding its digital services through the national “super app” Tawakkalna, allowing beneficiaries of the Makkah Route Initiative to access and display their Hajj permits electronically before departing from their home countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The move is a part of the Kingdom’s broader push to streamline the pilgrimage journey through integrated digital platforms powered by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

The SDAIA has developed and operates the digital ecosystem supporting the Makkah Route Initiative, linking participating government entities within a unified technical framework designed to speed up procedures and improve verification of personal and biometric data, according to SPA.

Pilgrims using the Tawakkalna application can now view Hajj permits and related travel documents electronically from the initial stages of their journey, enabling a smoother and more efficient experience from departure through arrival at accommodations in Makkah.

The Makkah Route Initiative, launched under the Ministry of Interior, enables pilgrims from selected countries to complete many immigration, customs and health procedures at airports in their home nations before traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

Tawakkalna now offers more than 1,300 services in partnership with over 350 government and private-sector entities, reflecting the Kingdom’s rapid digital transformation drive under Vision 2030.

The application has grown into one of Saudi Arabia’s flagship digital platforms, with more than 35 million users and over 1 million active daily users, according to SPA.

Saudi officials have increasingly positioned Tawakkalna as a unified digital gateway for citizens, residents and visitors, integrating government services, permits, identification documents and travel-related functions into a single platform accessible worldwide.

Last year, the app won the Best Arab Smart Government App award at the Arab Government Excellence Awards organized by the Arab League in Cairo, recognition that highlighted its role in improving digital government services and user experience across the Kingdom.

Saudi officials have also emphasized the platform’s growing use of AI to improve connectivity between government systems and enhance service efficiency.

During the Google Cloud Saudi Summit in Riyadh in November 2025, Tawakkalna executives described the application as an AI-powered national “super app” supporting millions of users through advanced digital infrastructure and integrated services.

The platform is available in multiple languages and has been promoted as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to modernize public services, improve quality of life and facilitate the experience of international visitors, particularly pilgrims traveling for Hajj and Umrah.

source https://www.arabnews.com/node/2642765/saudi-arabia