Rawdah permit: how to book your visit
The Rawdah (Riaz ul Jannah) inside Masjid Nabawi can only be entered with a free booking in the Nusuk app. Here is how booking works, from official Nusuk and ministry pages.
Rawdah in Madinah: do you need a permit?
- Masjid Nabawi itself: no permit. It is open to everyone, 24 hours a day.
- The Rawdah: you need a booking in the Nusuk app, made in advance or through Instant Track. You cannot get in without the entry code issued for each visitor.
- Cost: free. Anyone charging you for a Rawdah permit is charging for something the ministry gives free.
- Who can book: the ministry lists citizens, residents, visitors and GCC citizens. Men and women visit at separate times.
How to book the Rawdah in the Nusuk app
- On the Nusuk app home screen, open the Rawdah section.
- Choose the Rawdah prayer permit (men's or women's).
- Add any companions (up to 4), then pick a date and an available time.
- Review the summary and confirm the booking.
- Confirm attendance between 48 hours and 2 hours before your slot. If you don't, the booking is cancelled. Your QR code appears only after you confirm.
On the Nusuk website the path is: View Permits → Issue a Permit → Rawdah prayer permit → companions, date and time → agree to the entry instructions.
Rawdah slots booking: yearly booking, waiting list and Instant Track
- Regular booking: once a year (the Saudi Press Agency says once every 365 days).
- Same day: possible if slots are free. If the day is full, join its waiting list and you are notified when a slot opens. You can be on one waiting list at a time.
- Instant Track: when you are near the Prophet's Mosque, new slots are released every 20 minutes during the day. Use it to visit again after your yearly booking. It is for yourself only.
- Changes: a confirmed booking cannot be edited. Cancel it ("Cancel Booking") and book again.
Group booking for family
The "Add Group" option lets you book for up to 4 other visitors. Each person must accept the invitation from their own Nusuk account, so every adult needs an account. The group manager confirms and cancels for everyone. You can book for others even if you are not eligible yourself.
Rawdah timings for men and women
Latest official schedule (Saudi Press Agency, 24 May 2026):
| Day | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday–Thursday | 2:00 am – Fajr; 11:20 am – Isha | After Fajr – 11:00 am; after Isha – 2:00 am |
| Friday | 2:00 am – Fajr; 9:00 am – Isha | After Fajr – 9:00 am; after Isha – 2:00 am |
On the day: what to bring and where to enter
- Bring: your QR code in the Nusuk app. Each code works for one entry. Code colours only help staff manage entry times.
- Arrive: 30 minutes before your slot. The visit lasts 20 minutes and you are asked to leave when your time ends.
- Entry: through the southern courtyards, in front of Makkah Gate 37. The nearest outer courtyard gates are 367 and 368, between service buildings 202 and 204. Nearest car parks: B1 and A1; nearest bus stop: Manakha Tunnel station.
- Elderly and disabled visitors: may enter in wheelchairs, subject to the authority's rules. Free manual wheelchairs and golf carts are available at the mosque.
- Children: not allowed into the Rawdah. A childcare centre is in the northern courtyards.
- Photos: allowed. After the visit you can get a commemorative certificate in the app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Rawdah?
Al-Rawdah al-Sharifah (often written Riaz ul Jannah or Riyadh ul Jannah) is an area inside the Prophet's Mosque (Masjid Nabawi) in Madinah. Entering the mosque itself needs no permit, but entering the Rawdah needs a booking in the Nusuk app.
How do Rawdah slots booking and Instant Track work?
You can book a slot ahead once a year, or the same day if slots are free. If a day is full you can join its waiting list. When you are near the Prophet's Mosque, Instant Track releases new slots every 20 minutes during the day, for yourself only.
Is the Rawdah permit free?
Yes. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and Nusuk both list the service cost as free, and the permit is issued immediately.
How long is a Rawdah visit?
A visit lasts 20 minutes. Arrive 30 minutes before your slot with your QR code. Each code works for one entry.
Can women go to the Rawdah without a permit?
No. Men and women both need a Nusuk booking to enter the Rawdah, and they visit at separate times. Only the mosque itself is open to everyone without a permit.
Can children enter the Rawdah?
No. Nusuk says children are not allowed into the Rawdah for their safety. There is a childcare centre in the mosque's northern courtyards, and children may enter the mosque itself.
What happens if I miss my Rawdah slot?
A missed slot that you did not cancel is cancelled automatically, and you can then visit only through Instant Track. If you cannot go, cancel in the app so you can book again.
Staying nearby? See Madinah hotels near Masjid Nabawi, ranked by walking distance. We do not give religious rulings.