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)
TT

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.



GCC-US Support for the Establishment of an Independent Palestinian State

The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA
The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA
TT

GCC-US Support for the Establishment of an Independent Palestinian State

The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA
The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA

Foreign Ministers from the Gulf and the US have announced their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders.

The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was convened on September 25 in New York, co-chaired by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who currently chairs the GCC Ministerial Council. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Ministers from GCC member states and Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi.

A statement issued on Thursday said the ministers announced “their support for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel along the 1967 borders, with mutually agreed land swaps, in accordance with internationally recognized parameters and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.”

The ministers stressed the need for all civilians displaced after October 7 to return to their homes and reaffirmed their belief that a durable peace is essential for a more integrated, stable, and prosperous region.

They also emphasized the need to strengthen the capacity, effectiveness, and transparency of the Palestinian Authority, advocating for unified Palestinian-led governance in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The ministers committed to supporting Palestinian aspirations for self-determination, ensuring that Palestinians are central to post-conflict governance and security in Gaza. They expressed support for improving the quality of life for Palestinians through humanitarian assistance and efforts to accelerate economic growth.

The statement said they expressed deep concern over rising levels of settler and extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and stressed the need for accountability for perpetrators. They called for a halt to unilateral actions, including settlement expansions, that hinder the prospects for peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. They highlighted the importance of protecting all holy sites and places of worship while preserving the historic status quo in Jerusalem, recognizing Jordan’s special role.

On Gaza, the ministers committed to working towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees.

They called for an increase in the rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, including food, water, medical care, fuel, and shelter, and stressed the urgent need to restore basic services and ensure protection for humanitarian workers. They highlighted the necessity for stakeholders to facilitate humanitarian distribution networks across Gaza to alleviate suffering and reiterated that all parties must ensure the safety of aid workers.

The ministers also underscored their shared commitment to the strategic partnership between the GCC and the US, building on the achievements of previous ministerial meetings, including the most recent one in Riyadh on April 29. They emphasized the importance of strengthening consultation, coordination, and cooperation in all fields.