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Major change in Saudi Arabia's tourist visa for GCC residents – Read details here

Web Desk 09:50 PM | 9 Mar, 2023
Major change in Saudi Arabia's tourist visa for GCC residents – Read details here
Source: Photo by Tanathip Rattanatum

RIYADH - In a drastic change, all Gulf Cooperation Council residents irrespective of their profession are now eligible to apply electronically for a tourist visa to Saudi Arabia, it emerged on Thursday.

With the tourist visa, besides visiting various regions of the Kingdom, Umrah can also be performed and the relaxation will allow GCC residents to explore the country, participate in entertainment events, and inspect the culture and history of the oil-rich state.

The Kingdom’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said the visa application is now simpler, more convenient and straightforward for residents of GCC states, regardless of their profession. Another benefit is that the visa type would be multiple as well.

The GCC residents can get the visa by applying through the 'Visit Saudi' platform, with the condition that their residency permit should be valid for at least three months and passport for at least six months. This also applies to accompanying first-degree relatives of the residency holder and domestic workers visiting the kingdom with their sponsors.

A restriction in this case is that the tourist visa does not allow the holder to perform Hajj or perform Umrah during the Hajj season. 

Saudi Arabia is set to welcome 2.3 million pilgrims for Hajj this year as the restrictions regarding the pandemic have been lifted and this is the first time after Covid, the pilgrims count has been restored to pre-pandemic levels.

According to official figures, Saudi Arabia’s total foreign and domestic tourists reached 93.5 million during 2022. Total tourism spending amounted to SR185 billion during the year which is an increase of 93 percent as compared to the previous year.

What is GCC

The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) is a regional organisation with six members: The Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

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Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal rates on May 29, 2023

KARACHI - Following are the foreign currency exchange rates for US Dollar, Saudi Riyal, UK Pound Sterling, U.A.E. Dirham, European Euro, and other foreign currencies in Pakistan open market on May 29, 2023 (Monday).

Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar ‎USD 307.9 311.15
Euro EUR 330 333
UK Pound Sterling GBP 381 384.5
U.A.E Dirham AED 84.6 85.4
Saudi Riyal SAR 82.6 83.4
Australian Dollar AUD 201 203
Bahrain Dinar BHD 762.21 770.21
Canadian Dollar CAD 225.5 227.5
China Yuan CNY 40.6 41
Danish Krone DKK 41.39 41.78
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.6 36.95
Indian Rupee INR 3.47 3.58
Japanese Yen JPY 2.15 2.20
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 932.2 941.2
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 62.42 63.02
New Zealand Dollar NZD 176.98 178.98
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.14 26.44
Omani Riyal OMR 744.58 752.57
Qatari Riyal ‎QAR 78.73 79.43
Singapore Dollar SGD 215 217
Swedish Korona SEK 26.73 27.03
Swiss Franc CHF 316.34 318.84
Thai Bhat THB 8.28 8.43

Today's gold rates in Pakistan – May 29 2023

KARACHI - The price of a single tola of 24-karat gold in Pakistan is Rs 235,800 on Monday. The price of 10 grams of 24k gold was recorded at Rs202,160.   

Likewise, 10 grams of 22k gold were being traded for Rs163,624 while a single tola of 22-karat gold was being sold at Rs 190,880.

Note: The gold rate in Pakistan is fluctuating according to the international market so the price is never been fixed. The below rates are provided by local gold markets and Sarafa Markets of different cities.

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Karachi PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Islamabad PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Peshawar PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Quetta PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Sialkot PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Attock PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Gujranwala PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Jehlum PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Multan PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Bahawalpur PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Gujrat PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Nawabshah PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Chakwal PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Hyderabad PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Nowshehra PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Sargodha PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Faisalabad PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505
Mirpur PKR 235,800 PKR 2,505

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