Saudi Arabia Allows Citizens to Invite Friends to Visit, Perform Umrah

Saudis can invite their friends to visit and perform Umrah through an easy e-process. SPA
Saudis can invite their friends to visit and perform Umrah through an easy e-process. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Allows Citizens to Invite Friends to Visit, Perform Umrah

Saudis can invite their friends to visit and perform Umrah through an easy e-process. SPA
Saudis can invite their friends to visit and perform Umrah through an easy e-process. SPA

Saudi Arabia announced a new mechanism for Saudi citizens to obtain personal visit visas to invite their friends to tour around the Kingdom and perform Umrah. This step comes within the framework of efforts to increase the number of foreign visitors in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said visa holders will be allowed to travel in the regions and cities across the Kingdom as well as to perform Umrah, visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, in addition to visiting religious, and historical sites, and take part in cultural events.

The ministry stated that the visa application process is made much easier and simpler through the eVisa platform of the ministry’s website.

The personal visit visa request can be submitted through the Individual Service section of the eVisa platform and logging in through the Nafadh unified national platform, and filling out the data for those to be invited by requesting a personal visit, and approving the necessary undertakings.

The ministry added that the person who is invited to visit would complete the process of paying fees and medical insurance after filling out the entry visa application form on the visa platform and then submit the application and passport to the embassy or consulate of Saudi Arabia in the guest country or through the centers or offices accredited to the embassy or consulate. They can come to the Kingdom through all the air, land, and sea ports after obtaining the entry visa stamped passport.



GCC Secretary-General Affirms Gulf Stability as a Cornerstone of Global Stability

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
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GCC Secretary-General Affirms Gulf Stability as a Cornerstone of Global Stability

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi stressed during a working session before the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) that Gulf–European relations are more important than ever amid current regional and international challenges, and called for elevating them from consultation to a more practical partnership, SPA reported.

Albudaiwi, who is holding a series of meetings with senior officials in Brussels, explained that recent security developments in the region, along with threats to maritime routes, supply chains, and energy and food security, confirm that Gulf stability is not merely a regional matter, but a fundamental element of global stability.

He emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and secure under international law, particularly UNCLOS (1982).

He also praised the EU’s condemnation of Iranian attacks on GCC states and its efforts to contain escalation through urgent diplomatic engagement.


Makkah Police Arrest Resident over Fraudulent Hajj Ads

 A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Makkah Police Arrest Resident over Fraudulent Hajj Ads

 A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

Makkah Region police arrested an Egyptian resident for fraud after posting advertisements on social media offering fake permits to enter the holy sites and fraudulent Hajj services, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

Legal action was taken against him and he was referred to the Public Prosecution.

The General Directorate of Public Security urged citizens and residents to adhere to Hajj regulations and guidelines and to report violators.

On Tuesday, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the penalties that will be imposed on violators of the regulations requiring a permit to perform Hajj.

A fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on any individual found performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.

A fine of up to SAR100,000 will be imposed on any person who applies for the issuance of a visit visa of any type for an individual who performs or attempts to perform Hajj without a permit.

Infiltrators, including residents and those who overstay their visas, will be deported back to their countries and banned them from entering the Kingdom for 10 years.


Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief Distributes 29,000 Hot Meals in Gaza

KSrelief distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip. (SPA)
KSrelief distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief Distributes 29,000 Hot Meals in Gaza

KSrelief distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip. (SPA)
KSrelief distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip. (SPA)

The central kitchen operated by Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip, as part of the Saudi public campaign to provide relief to the Palestinian people, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

This initiative demonstrates the Kingdom’s dedication, through KSrelief, to supporting the Palestinian people in times of crisis.

On Monday, KSrelief distributed 1,196 food baskets to the most vulnerable groups in Gaza's city of Khan Younis, benefiting 7,176 individuals.