Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 28 Jul 2026, 6:06 PM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia's Jawazat now lets hosts extend single-entry and multiple-entry visit visas online through the Absher platform, provided the visitor is inside the kingdom with valid insurance and no unpaid fines.
Saudi Arabia's 2027 Hajj timeline requires roughly 1.5 doctors and 1.7 nurses per 1,000 pilgrims, routes service contracts and payments through the Nusuk e-wallet, and limits countries toward a single service provider.
A new Nusuk meal voucher of 20 Saudi riyals per day, embedded in the Umrah visa fee, will raise costs for pilgrims. It starts in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Egypt before a wider rollout.
Saudi Arabia has introduced a QR-code service giving pilgrims real-time crowd density in the Mataf and Masaa, helping them choose less congested times for Tawaf and Saai.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, with Saudi National Bank, has launched Nusuk Wallet, described as the first international digital wallet and bank card built for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
Pakistan has sent the most Umrah pilgrims so far this season, ahead of Indonesia and Iraq, as Saudi Arabia records strong growth in arrivals for 1448 AH.
Saudi Arabia launches one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa Gulf Business
Saudi Arabia launches one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa Gulf Business
Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Ministry launches one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa Gulf News
Climate advocate Mina Hasman’s vision of designing cities that behave like forests and buildings that act like trees.
Investigators arrest 31-year-old man identified as Charles Medina in connection with death of Rapp who was 26US boxer Hannah Rapp, who in June fought for the World Boxing Council women’s featherweight championship, was killed on Saturday while she bicycled in Texas after a motorist struck her with...
Saudi Arabia Accelerates Makkah Tourism Transformation With New Ibis Hotel Development Strengthening Umrah Travel Growth, Pilgrimage Infrastructure and Year Round Hospitality Capacity Travel And Tour World