Saudi Embassy in Cairo Calls on Citizens to Register their Residency in Egypt 

A view of the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. (Saudi Embassy on Facebook)
A view of the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. (Saudi Embassy on Facebook)
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Saudi Embassy in Cairo Calls on Citizens to Register their Residency in Egypt 

A view of the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. (Saudi Embassy on Facebook)
A view of the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. (Saudi Embassy on Facebook)

The Saudi Embassy in Egypt called on Monday its citizens to respect residency regulations by registering their residency should they have been living in the country for over six months.

It said Saudis must head to the General Administration of Passports, Immigration and Nationality to obtain a residency card by the end of June at the latest.

In a statement, the embassy stressed the “need to hold a residency card as proof of identity and to cooperate with Egyptian authorities when asked to present it.”

Egypt estimates that there are around 9 million refugees and foreign expatriates living in the country.

Months ago, the Egyptian government had called on all resident foreigners to obtain a smart residency card by June 30.

Deputy head of the Egyptian council for foreign affairs Salah Halima explained that the Saudi statement was a “reminder to Saudi nationals who may not have been following up on Egyptian government decisions to register their residency” to receive the smart card.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he added that the statement “reflects the embassy’s keenness on ensuring that its citizens respect Egyptian laws.”

Obtaining the card will allow the holders to benefit from services provided by the card. It will also help speed up procedures in cases of any emergency, he went on to say.

The development took place days after Saudi national Hattan Shatta went missing in Egypt, stirring public debate.

Egyptian authorities later announced that he had been found dead, ruling our foul play and adding that he had died from health reasons.

The Saudi embassy had expressed its gratitude to Egyptian authorities for their efforts in uncovering the cause of his death.



Syrian President Begins Gulf Tour Following Easing of International Sanctions

A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
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Syrian President Begins Gulf Tour Following Easing of International Sanctions

A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has begun a tour of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, marking his second visit to the region and his first since most international sanctions on Syria were lifted.

The trip, which began in the United Arab Emirates, underscores Damascus’s push to reintegrate economically and diplomatically into the Arab world after more than a decade of isolation.

According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, the tour aims to bolster economic cooperation and attract Gulf investments to support Syria’s national reconstruction and development plans.

Al-Sharaa arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday, where he was received by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders held official talks focusing on post-war recovery, economic partnership, and infrastructure development.

Speaking during the meeting, al-Sharaa said Syria has “turned the page on war and division” and is now focused on building “strategic partnerships” with its Gulf neighbors. He praised the UAE’s role in supporting regional stability and expressed interest in learning from the Emirati model in sustainable development, digital transformation, and clean energy.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s full support for Syria’s efforts to restore stability and rebuild its war-torn economy. He stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral ties, especially in key sectors such as infrastructure, investment, and technology.