A new UK visa application center was opened in Jeddah on Tuesday by British Ambassador Sir John Jenkins. The center was inaugurated in the presence of Mohammed Shokat, British consul-general, Prince Faisal Abdullah Al-Faisal, president of the Al-Etimad Modern Business Solutions Company, Mazen Batterjee, vice president of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Saudi businessmen and officials.
“Our new upgraded center aims to provide a first-class experience to our highly valued Saudi customers,” said Jenkins.
“The United Kingdom’s popularity as a destination for leisure and business continues to grow and we hope that improvements across application centers in the Kingdom will help to maintain that trend.”
“We welcome over 100,000 Saudi visitors to the UK every year and are looking forward to welcoming greater numbers,” he said.
Jenkins said that this was the third and final visa section in the Kingdom to be refurbished and that the British Embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah were keen on its completion to facilitate visa operations. He said that the key objective is to encourage people to visit the UK, citing a 20 percent increase in demand for UK visit visas from Saudi Arabia in 2013.
A new visa application center was opened in Alkhobar in January, which is double the size of the previous center, he said.
“The center in Riyadh has also been renovated, expanded and upgraded. Over 45,000 visa applications were submitted from the western region alone in 2013.”
Prince Faisal said that the new location is better in terms of size and facilities. “The center is more easily accessible from various highways, with plenty of parking space,” he said.
He said that they have training rooms to provide on-the-job training to staff throughout the year.
Nick Jariwalla, regional manager for UK Visa and Immigration, said that the mission has upgraded to a modern online system and introduced additional premium and priority services.
The UK aims to process visit and student visa applications within 15 working days. A priority service is also available, which returns visas within three to five working days at an additional cost.
Steven Dick, political officer and embassy spokesman, said that the visa section can accommodate up to 400 people at peak times compared with 250 at the old premises.
New UK visa center opens in Jeddah
New UK visa center opens in Jeddah
AlUla Trail Race offers challenges for adventure enthusiasts of all levels
- Participants of all ages and fitness levels are invited to engage in this sporting challenge in a vibrant, competitive environment
- Several races will be held at the event, organized by AlUla Moments, ranging from a 1.6 km “Kids’ Run” to a 100 km ultra-marathon
RIYADH: The AlUla Trail Race will take place on Jan. 23 and 24, 2025, offering a challenge with stunning scenery for adventure enthusiasts.
Participants of all ages and fitness levels are invited to engage in this sporting challenge in a vibrant, competitive environment, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Several races will be held at the event, organized by AlUla Moments, ranging from a 1.6 km “Kids’ Run” to a 100 km ultra-marathon, providing options for all skill levels across AlUla’s desert landscape and ancient oases.
The AlUla Trail Race 2025 features seven distinct races, with participants viewing iconic AlUla locations, including Elephant Rock, Maraya (the world’s largest mirrored building), and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra.
The 1.6 km race, for children aged 6 to 12, offers a safe and fun introduction to competitive running. The “Sunset Run” (3 km) allows participants aged 13 and older to explore AlUla’s oasis at sunset.
The 10 km “AlUla Oasis” race is open to runners aged 13 and older, suitable for beginners or those seeking a moderate challenge.
The “Elephant Rock” 23 km race is aimed at more experienced athletes aged 16 and older, and is equivalent to more than half a marathon.
The 50 km “Al-Mejdar” race is the toughest trial for runners aged 18 and older, while the 100 km “Hegra” event is the ultimate challenge for professional runners aged 18 and older, testing endurance in one of the most scenic and demanding races.
The event spans two days. On the first day, participants will register, receive race numbers and equipment, and attend a briefing before heading to the starting locations. Day one will also feature races for children, families and after-sunset events.
On day two, the 10 km, 23 km and ultramarathon races will be held, concluding with a ceremony to honor the winners and distribute awards.
In addition to the competitive atmosphere, the sports village will provide a range of food and beverages, including premium coffee, along with live music and entertainment.
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation spaces will be available for runners post-race.
Riyadh library launches cultural tourism initiative
Riyadh: The King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh has launched an initiative to position Saudi Arabia as a top global destination for cultural tourism by attracting visitors worldwide to explore the library’s diverse branches, both within and outside the Kingdom.
This project aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by strengthening national identity, fostering cultural exchange, and supporting sustainable development, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Through its efforts, the library seeks to showcase Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, folk arts, and traditions, while deepening citizens’ connections to their cultural roots and contributing to economic diversification.
The library’s general supervisor, Faisal bin Muammar, affirmed its commitment to advancing the Kingdom’s cultural and tourism objectives.
The library’s cultural tourism approach goes beyond traditional collections, offering access to historical and rare manuscripts, art and more.
Art Films Week sparks dialogue in Riyadh
- Visitors can enjoy the screenings in Fenaa Alawwal’s outdoor area, where kiosks provide a variety of food and refreshments
Riyadh: Film enthusiasts have gathered at Riyadh’s Fenaa Alawwal for Art Films Week, an event showcasing a selection of acclaimed documentaries and animations aimed at fostering cultural exchange and dialogue, organized under Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission.
Running until Nov. 21, the five-day Art Films Week is presenting five films: “Nam June Paik: Moon is the Oldest TV,” “Van Gogh and Japan,” “Omar Sharif: A Nomad’s Life,” “The King and Mister Bird,” and “The Prince Voyage.”
The opening day featured “Nam June Paik: Moon is the Oldest TV” by director Amanda Kim, which chronicles Paik’s meteoric rise in the New York art scene and his vision of a future where “everybody will have his own TV channel.”
South African visitor Gavin Eckhart emphasized the film’s potential to inspire self-expression in the modern age. “Showing this documentary in this context might allow people to find their own self-expression within the modern age,” he told Arab News.
He further highlighted the artist’s innovative use of technology to break boundaries despite a restrictive upbringing.
“I have really enjoyed his expressive nature in the context of manipulating the available technology,” he said. “He was able to break boundaries and innovate despite his restrictive upbringing, doing so in the most avant-garde way.”
The documentaries were selected to align with the event’s theme by exploring art and creativity, showcasing influential artists like Nam June Paik, and highlighting the intersection of art and culture.
Visitors can enjoy the screenings in Fenaa Alawwal’s outdoor area, where kiosks provide a variety of food and refreshments.
Under Vision 2030’s Quality of Life Program, Saudi Arabia is witnessing transformative progress across various sectors, with the cultural industry playing a key role. The number of cultural facilities in the Kingdom surpassed its 2023 target of 41, reaching 45, reflecting the nation’s commitment to fostering a diverse cultural landscape.
Fenaa Alawwal is a key cultural facility in the capital Riyadh and was established by the Ministry of Culture to promote culture as a way of life.
Its landmark building first opened in 1988 and was recently placed under the custody of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City as part of Saudi Vision 2030’s National Transformation Program.
Saudi cabinet highlights strengthened partnerships with France, India
- The session, chaired by King Salman in Riyadh, addressed key global and regional developments
The cabinet discussed on Tuesday the outcomes of the second Saudi-French Ministerial Committee meeting, focusing on enhancing cultural, tourism, and economic ties, particularly between AlUla and Paris.
The cabinet also praised the progress of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council in boosting cooperation on economic and security matters.
The session, chaired by King Salman in Riyadh, addressed key global and regional developments. The Cabinet condemned Israeli actions targeting civilians in Palestine and plans to expand West Bank settlements, citing their threat to regional stability and peace efforts.
Domestically, the council commended King Salman’s support of the Riyadh Economic Forum and the success of "Cityscape Global 2024," which saw transactions surpassing 230 billion riyals and attendance exceeding 172,000 visitors.
The cabinet lauded the "Jeddah Declaration" issued at the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, reaffirming commitments to tackle global health challenges. It also noted preparations for the Saudi Green Initiative Forum in December, which has already delivered significant achievements in renewable energy, tree planting, and wildlife resettlement.
KSrelief launches date distribution project in Sudan
Riyadh: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has launched a date distribution project in Port Sudan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The event was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hassan Jafar, Sudanese Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Abu Bakr Omar Al-Bushra, and Acting Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Ahmed Mohamed Othman.
The project will distribute 441 tonnes of dates to the neediest families across Kassala, Gedaref, Red Sea, River Nile, Blue Nile, White Nile, Sennar, and Gezira states, benefiting 441,250 individuals.
Jafar reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing food aid and praised the collaboration between the Sudanese government and KSrelief in ensuring the aid reaches those in need.
Al-Bushra expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s support during challenging times.
Othman emphasized KSrelief’s vital role in addressing food security challenges during the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Meanwhile, KSrelief distributed 1,100 food baskets and 1,100 health kits in Tal Abyad, in the Raqqa governorate of Syria, benefiting 6,600 individuals as part of the earthquake relief project.
