JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed the possibility of issuing Umrah and visit permits to residents coming from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, who obtained a visitor visa for the purpose of tourism through the Etmarna app. This comes as part of efforts to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims from all countries around the world, enrich their experience and raise the quality of services provided to them within a variety of solutions and options, in order to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the ministry said in a statement issued by the Saudi Press Agency. The ministry said that those who obtained visitor visas for the purpose of tourism from residents of GCC countries, as well as those who obtained visas to enter the Schengen countries, the US, and UK, can, before coming to the Kingdom, book appointments to perform Umrah and visit holy sites using the app. The procedures for the arrival of pilgrims to perform Umrah this year included several types of visas available to those who obtain them to perform Umrah, including visas for family visits for residents inside the Kingdom, personal visits to Saudi nationals, electronic tourist visas, and tourist visas upon arrival for holders of other types of visas. Umrah pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom can choose the package of services through the “Maqam” platform, in addition to booking through local agencies approved in the pilgrim’s home country.