Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are collaborating to streamline services for Indonesian pilgrims traveling to Hajj through the integration of their digital platforms.
Enhanced Hajj Services Through Digital Integration
On February 16, Indonesia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan, announced at the Saudi Arabia-Indonesia Umrah Co-Exchange forum in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the connection of Indonesia’s SISKOHAT system with Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk platform.
This integration allows for the real-time sharing of pilgrim data, expediting visa processing, identity validation, and Hajj permit applications while minimizing data duplication. According to an official release, Minister Irfan emphasized that the initiative extends beyond technological upgrades to prioritize the safety and comfort of Indonesian travelers during their pilgrimage.
“Every process, from visas and accommodation to healthcare services and return travel, can now be comprehensively monitored and protected,” Irfan explained, describing the integration as a significant step toward a more efficient and data-driven Hajj ecosystem.
Addressing Longstanding Challenges
The integration addresses longstanding issues, including visa delays and data discrepancies. Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s Head of the Centre for Data and Information Technology, Farosa, stated that real-time validation with Saudi systems will support smoother service delivery.
Technical teams completed integration checks, including cybersecurity reviews and secure certificate exchanges, between October 2025 and January of this year, when SISKOHAT and Nusuk were declared operational. Farosa emphasized that the system development adhered to national data protection and cybersecurity principles, ensuring data access is limited to authorized parties and securely recorded.
Currently, the integration supports visa processing, with data transferring automatically from SISKOHAT to Nusuk. Future phases will expand to include pilgrim grouping, arrival and departure processes, service contract management, and Umrah services.
Strengthening Transparency and Risk Management
Minister Irfan highlighted the integration as a means to increase transparency in Hajj management, including the allocation of quotas and the management of contracts for hotels, and services. Last Hajj season, thousands of Indonesian pilgrims were unable to depart due to visas not being issued by the Saudi government, resulting in financial losses.
Indonesia has proposed a more flexible visa replacement mechanism to prevent unused quotas, stating, “Every quota represents the rights of the faithful. We hope there can be a flexible mechanism up to the eve of departure so that slots are not wasted.” Indonesia remains committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Hajj modernization efforts under the Saudi Vision 2030 program.
Health Data Interoperability
Beyond administrative processes, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have already established data interoperability in healthcare services for Hajj pilgrims. Since 2024, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health has implemented the Hajj Pilgrim Health Card (KKJH), which contains digital medical records based on the World Health Organization’s International Patient Summary (IPS) standard.
This data, accessible via QR code, includes demographic details, vaccination status, medical history, medications, and allergies, enabling faster and more accurate treatment decisions by medical personnel in Saudi Arabia. Indonesia and Malaysia have pioneered this large-scale, cross-border health data interoperability, supporting local health authorities in monitoring pilgrim fitness before departure and allowing for postponement or transfer of travel plans if a pilgrim is deemed medically unfit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of integrating SISKOHAT and Nusuk?
The integration aims to streamline services for Indonesian pilgrims traveling to Hajj by enabling real-time data sharing, expediting visa processing, and improving overall efficiency.
What issues is this integration intended to address?
The integration addresses longstanding issues such as visa delays, data discrepancies, and financial losses resulting from pilgrims being unable to depart due to visa issues.
What health information is now shared between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia?
The Hajj Pilgrim Health Card (KKJH) contains digital medical records, including demographic details, vaccination status, medical history, medications, and allergies, accessible via QR code to medical personnel in Saudi Arabia.
As these systems become more fully integrated, how might the Hajj experience evolve for Indonesian pilgrims in the coming years?
