Saudi Arabia Begins Issuing E-Visas for Umrah

Umrah pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19 (SPA)
Umrah pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19 (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Begins Issuing E-Visas for Umrah

Umrah pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19 (SPA)
Umrah pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19 (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has started issuing e-visas for Umrah, as part of its efforts to enable more Muslims to come to the Kingdom to perform the Umrah pilgrimage and facilitate its procedures for them.

This comes along with raising the quality of Umrah services to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The ministry stated that people who seek electronic visas can submit applications at the Nusuk platform, so they can start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19.

The Nusuk platform facilitates the arrival procedures for Muslims worldwide to visit Makkah and Madinah, provides housing choices, residence and transportation services, in addition to easy access to a package of enrichment information and interactive maps in several languages.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah previously announced, in cooperation with the concerned authorities, that holders of tourist visas from the Gulf Cooperation Council of Arab states and holders of Schengen visa can book Umrah appointments via the Nusk application.

The Hajj and Umrah Ministry also facilitates procedures for holders of different types of visas.

Facilities provided by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to the Umrah performers are a part of new legislation that is recently adopted and include reducing the insurance fees for Umrah performers by 63% while maintaining the sustainability of health services for them, issuing the Umrah visa in less than 24 hours, and extending the Umrah visa from 30 days to 90 days, with no health requirements.

The updated procedures of Umrah also permit women to perform the Umrah without a male guardian (mahram). The new rules also allow Umrah performers to visit the unique sites of the Kingdom to learn about the country's cultural diversity and enrich their religious and cultural experiences.



Saudi Arabia Reiterates Solidarity with Kuwait, Bahrain after Latest Iranian Attacks

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Solidarity with Kuwait, Bahrain after Latest Iranian Attacks

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s condemnation of the continued hostile Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as those targeting maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Cabinet said the attacks are a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. It reaffirmed the Kingdom’s solidarity with Kuwait and Bahrain and its full support for all measures they take to safeguard their sovereignty and security.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

At the outset of the session, the Cabinet was briefed on the telephone call Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received from French President Emmanuel Macron. They reviewed areas of mutual cooperation between their countries, regional and international developments, and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Cabinet reviewed Saudi Arabia's participation in regional and international meetings, as part of its commitment to strengthening cooperation with brotherly and friendly countries, advancing multilateral action toward further progress across various fields, and enhancing collective response to current challenges in the region and the world.

The Cabinet expressed its support for the outcomes of the ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United States, including the affirmation of the strategic partnership between the two sides and continued coordination and consultation on international issues of mutual interest that will help in supporting regional security and stability and protecting common interests.

On the domestic level, the Cabinet reviewed infrastructure development plans across the Kingdom aimed at supporting continued growth.

It noted the launch of a new phase of the Developed Districts Program in Makkah and the commencement of the fourth package of projects under the Riyadh Main and Ring Road Axes Development Program. The initiatives are expected to keep pace with urban expansion, boost the urban landscape, improve quality of life, and strengthen transportation services.

Ministers are seen during the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Cabinet commended the launch of the inaugural Saudi Water Week as a national, regional, and international platform for advancing global dialogue on water issues, highlighting Arab priorities, and reinforcing the Kingdom's pivotal role in the water sector.

The Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom's continued efforts to develop practical solutions and forge strategic partnerships that contribute to achieving water security, promoting the efficient use of natural resources, and accelerating collaborative efforts toward a more sustainable water future.

It further commended the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority's winning of the 2026 UN Public Service Award, noting that the recognition adds to the Kingdom's growing record of achievements in leveraging data and advanced technologies to support development and build a sustainable, knowledge-based digital economy.

The Cabinet praised the efforts of the Ministry of Interior and the effectiveness of its proactive security plans in combating drug trafficking and apprehending smugglers and dealers. It also hailed the ministry's achievements in confronting this scourge and mitigating its dangers.


Saudi Defense Minister Discusses Cooperation with Counterpart from Maldives

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister Discusses Cooperation with Counterpart from Maldives

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held talks in Jeddah on Tuesday with his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed.

They reviewed relations and defense cooperation between their countries.

They discussed the latest regional and international developments and efforts to boost security and stability in the region. The ministers also tackled issues of common interest.


KSrelief Signs Joint Executive Program to Economically Empower Rural Women in Syria

Officials sign the executive program at KSrelief's Riyadh headquarters on Monday. (SPA)
Officials sign the executive program at KSrelief's Riyadh headquarters on Monday. (SPA)
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KSrelief Signs Joint Executive Program to Economically Empower Rural Women in Syria

Officials sign the executive program at KSrelief's Riyadh headquarters on Monday. (SPA)
Officials sign the executive program at KSrelief's Riyadh headquarters on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) signed on Monday a joint executive program to implement the rural women's economic empowerment project in Syria under the "Bathraa" initiative. In cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the project will directly benefit 520 individuals and indirectly benefit 284,320 others, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The program was signed on behalf of KSrelief by Assistant Supervisor General of Operations and Programs Eng. Ahmed Al Baiz, and on behalf of UNDP by United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States Director Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, at the center's headquarters in Riyadh.

The program aims to strengthen livelihoods and promote the economic empowerment of rural women by rehabilitating and equipping multipurpose production centers with food-processing units, agricultural waste composting systems, marketing kiosks, and renewable energy solutions, creating a suitable environment for production and training.

It boasts technical, entrepreneurial, and leadership capacity-building programs for rural women, as well as the provision of the tools and equipment needed to launch income-generating activities, thereby boosting their economic opportunities and improving their sources of income.

The initiative is part of the humanitarian and relief efforts of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief to support the Syrian people and empower rural families while improving their living conditions.