JEDDAH: In an apparent reference to the Kingdom’s innovative economic reforms, Pakistan Ambassador Manzoor ul Haq says: “Whatever the visionary policies Saudi Arabia adopts, we respect those policies.”
He welcomed the Saudi Cabinet decision to impose one time entry visa fee of SR2,000, and the state’s offer to bear this fee for a visitor coming for the first time to perform Haj or Umrah.
“This move will be a great help for the pilgrims who have not performed Haj or Umrah before,” the envoy said.
“I believe, the government is streamlining the system of visitors to the Kingdom and making sure that they do not encounter difficulties when coming here,” he said.
In a way, the Kingdom is regulating its Haj and Umrah pilgrim traffic with necessary facilities thus ensuring that they perform the pilgrimage with comfort, the ambassador added.
“We appreciate Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for taking care of the two holy places — Makkah and Madinah — and providing good facilities for the pilgrims.”
As per the new Cabinet decisions, a one-time entry visa fee will be SR2,000, but the state will bear this fee if a visitor is coming to the Kingdom for the first time to perform Haj or Umrah.
The weekly Cabinet session was chaired by Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammed bin Naif at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.
According to the Cabinet announcement, the new procedures and revision of fees for visa services are based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Economy and Planning. The suggestion is seen as part of the government’s initiatives for boosting nonoil revenues.
New amendments will see all visa fees completely waived off — and fully paid for by the Saudi government — for all first-time pilgrims coming for either Haj or Umrah.
The Cabinet also approved proposals to raise a range of government fees, including visa charges and fines for some traffic violations.
A number of heads of tawafa institutions said the Kingdom’s offer to carry fees for Haj and Umrah visas, which exceed SR2,000, proves the state’s keenness to support Muslims in performing the pilgrimage comfortably and easily without bearing financial costs.
They said the imposition of the SR2,000 is a good regulatory step because it proves that those who wish to perform Haj or Umrah have the financial ability to do so.
Abbas Qattan, head of the Arab Sates Haj Foundation, said the state is clearly keen on ensuring pilgrims can perform their religious duties easily, as evident from the Council of Ministers’ approval on Monday for the state to bear the visa costs for Haj and Umrah. He said the state spends billions of riyals annually on expansive projects to serve pilgrims to enable them perform their duties with upmost comfort.
Haidar Sheikh, a muttawif, said the state does not want pilgrims to be pressured financially in order to perform Haj or Umrah, and hence the council’s latest decision for the state to bear the costs of visas.
Mutawwaf Alaa Mihdar said the move is a positive step that will provide new financial resources, noting that the state is always keen on ensuring Muslims can perform their rights without any financial burden.
He welcomed the Saudi Cabinet decision to impose one time entry visa fee of SR2,000, and the state’s offer to bear this fee for a visitor coming for the first time to perform Haj or Umrah.
“This move will be a great help for the pilgrims who have not performed Haj or Umrah before,” the envoy said.
“I believe, the government is streamlining the system of visitors to the Kingdom and making sure that they do not encounter difficulties when coming here,” he said.
In a way, the Kingdom is regulating its Haj and Umrah pilgrim traffic with necessary facilities thus ensuring that they perform the pilgrimage with comfort, the ambassador added.
“We appreciate Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for taking care of the two holy places — Makkah and Madinah — and providing good facilities for the pilgrims.”
As per the new Cabinet decisions, a one-time entry visa fee will be SR2,000, but the state will bear this fee if a visitor is coming to the Kingdom for the first time to perform Haj or Umrah.
The weekly Cabinet session was chaired by Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammed bin Naif at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.
According to the Cabinet announcement, the new procedures and revision of fees for visa services are based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Economy and Planning. The suggestion is seen as part of the government’s initiatives for boosting nonoil revenues.
New amendments will see all visa fees completely waived off — and fully paid for by the Saudi government — for all first-time pilgrims coming for either Haj or Umrah.
The Cabinet also approved proposals to raise a range of government fees, including visa charges and fines for some traffic violations.
A number of heads of tawafa institutions said the Kingdom’s offer to carry fees for Haj and Umrah visas, which exceed SR2,000, proves the state’s keenness to support Muslims in performing the pilgrimage comfortably and easily without bearing financial costs.
They said the imposition of the SR2,000 is a good regulatory step because it proves that those who wish to perform Haj or Umrah have the financial ability to do so.
Abbas Qattan, head of the Arab Sates Haj Foundation, said the state is clearly keen on ensuring pilgrims can perform their religious duties easily, as evident from the Council of Ministers’ approval on Monday for the state to bear the visa costs for Haj and Umrah. He said the state spends billions of riyals annually on expansive projects to serve pilgrims to enable them perform their duties with upmost comfort.
Haidar Sheikh, a muttawif, said the state does not want pilgrims to be pressured financially in order to perform Haj or Umrah, and hence the council’s latest decision for the state to bear the costs of visas.
Mutawwaf Alaa Mihdar said the move is a positive step that will provide new financial resources, noting that the state is always keen on ensuring Muslims can perform their rights without any financial burden.
