Saudi Arabia Facilitates Visits to Makkah, Madinah for Turkish Nationals

An integrated services system for pilgrims to perform Umrah with ease (Asharq Al-Awsat)
An integrated services system for pilgrims to perform Umrah with ease (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Facilitates Visits to Makkah, Madinah for Turkish Nationals

An integrated services system for pilgrims to perform Umrah with ease (Asharq Al-Awsat)
An integrated services system for pilgrims to perform Umrah with ease (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has launched a package of facilitation to the visitors of Makkah and Madinah from Türkiye.

In a meeting in Istanbul on Tuesday, the Saudi Tourism Authority announced that Turkish nationals wishing to visit Saudi Arabia will now have the option to obtain a tourist visa through the Saudi Embassy or Consulate in Türkiye.

The visa can be issued within 48 hours through accredited travel and tourism offices in Türkiye listed on the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Residents of the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union countries, or holders of active US, UK, and Schengen visas can obtain the visa upon arrival at the airports in Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Dammam.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also launched Nusuk, in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority.

Nusuk dedicated a page for Turkish nationals to be able to issue an Umrah visa by purchasing one of the available programs.

Additionally, Saudi citizens can now issue a personal visit visa for their friends, as can citizens and residents wishing to host their relatives.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority and Managing Director of Nusuk, said that “Saudi Arabia continues its efforts” to offer facilitation to the visitors of Makkah and Madinah through various unprecedented services and options that guarantee a smooth and spiritual experience.

Hamidaddin added that the promotional meeting with the presence of more than 50 partners [to the Saudi tourism sector] witnessed the signing of several strategic agreements with major Turkish travel and tourism companies.



Saudi Arabia Condemns Attack on Presidential Palace in Chad

This video grab from a CCTV video of the presidential complex obtained by AFPTV from Tele Tchad on January 9, 2025 shows a soldier firing at gunmen attempting to storm the presidential complex in Chad's capital N'Djamena on January 8, 2025. (Photo by Tele Tchad / AFP)
This video grab from a CCTV video of the presidential complex obtained by AFPTV from Tele Tchad on January 9, 2025 shows a soldier firing at gunmen attempting to storm the presidential complex in Chad's capital N'Djamena on January 8, 2025. (Photo by Tele Tchad / AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Attack on Presidential Palace in Chad

This video grab from a CCTV video of the presidential complex obtained by AFPTV from Tele Tchad on January 9, 2025 shows a soldier firing at gunmen attempting to storm the presidential complex in Chad's capital N'Djamena on January 8, 2025. (Photo by Tele Tchad / AFP)
This video grab from a CCTV video of the presidential complex obtained by AFPTV from Tele Tchad on January 9, 2025 shows a soldier firing at gunmen attempting to storm the presidential complex in Chad's capital N'Djamena on January 8, 2025. (Photo by Tele Tchad / AFP)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the Kingdom condemns the attack targeting the presidential palace in N'Djamena, Chad, which resulted in the death of a soldier and the injury of others.

The ministry reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's firm stance supporting the security and stability of Chad.

The ministry also expressed the Kingdom's sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and to the government and people of Chad, wishing a speedy recovery to all the injured.