GCC Countries - Gulf Insider

1 year ago

Kuwait Launches English Language Exit Permit Feature On Sahel App For Private Sector Expats

Kuwait has launched an English-language version of its digital exit permit system on the government’s Sahel mobile application, a move aimed at streamlining labour mobility and reinforcing state oversight of private sector expatriate workers. Beginning July 1, 2025, all expatriates employed under Article 18 visas—those working in the private sector — will be required to obtain an employer-approved exit permit before traveling abroad. The new process is mandatory and must be completed through the Sahel app. To request a permit, users must log into Sahel, navigate to the Services section, and select the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM). Under “Expatriate Workers Services,” users will find the Exit Permit option, where they can input their intended departure and return dates and submit the request for employer approval. The system stipulates that applications must be submitted no earlier than seven days and no later than 24 hours before the intended departure. Kuwaiti authorities have framed the initiative as part of a broader digital transformation strategy, aimed at increasing transparency and simplifying administrative procedures for both employers and employees. The launch of the English-language interface marks a significant step toward accessibility for the country’s large and diverse expatriate population, who make up most […]

1 year ago

Cristiano Ronaldo Declares Saudi Arabia His Home: ‘I Want To Live Here Forever’

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football’s most celebrated stars, has declared that he plans to live in Saudi Arabia for the rest of his life, describing the kingdom as a place of “peace and safety” and a country where he and his family feel genuinely at home. The 40-year-old Portuguese forward, who joined Al Nassr in late 2022 after parting ways with Manchester United, extended his contract with the Saudi club until 2027. The renewal, announced by the club last Thursday, will see Ronaldo remain with Al Nassr beyond his 42nd birthday. “My family always supports my decisions, and we’re happy here in Saudi Arabia,” Ronaldo said in a video released by the club on its YouTube channel. “The people treat us in an incredibly warm way. That’s why we want to live here and build our lives here.” Ronaldo, who has scored 99 goals across all competitions since joining Al Nassr, said that his motivation for the contract extension is driven by an unfinished mission: winning a major title with the club. While he lifted the King Salman Club Cup, he has yet to claim a major domestic or continental championship with Al Nassr. “I still believe in that goal,” […]

1 year ago

Dubai To Launch New Contractor Rating System By 2026; Suspends Two Firms

Dubai Municipality has announced a comprehensive update to its Contractor and Engineering Consultancy Rating System, aiming to implement a more accurate and integrated framework for evaluating the performance of construction firms and engineering offices across the emirate. The new standards are part of Dubai’s broader efforts to transform its construction and urban development sector into one that is more intelligent, sustainable, and globally competitive. New system to take effect in 2026 Set to take effect in early 2026, the updated system will incorporate a wider range of performance indicators and assessment criteria. These changes are intended to enable more precise evaluations of technical capacity, project execution quality, regulatory compliance, and sustainability practices. Two consultancy firms suspended In a related development, Dubai Municipality also announced that the Licensing and Professional Practice Registration Committee has issued a six-month suspension to two engineering consultancy offices. The firms are barred from obtaining permits for any new projects during the suspension period. Violations pose risk to property owners and developers The disciplinary action followed investigations that uncovered professional practices in violation of approved regulations and ethical standards—conduct the Municipality warned could endanger the interests of property owners and developers. The names of the suspended firms […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia: Hajj Ministry: Gulf Citizens Can perform Umrah At Any Time

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Friday that the performance of Umrah pilgrimage will be available to the citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states at any time. The entry for the Gulf citizens is permitted through any port, provided that a permit is issued through the Nusuk app. The ministry clarified that GCC citizens can perform Umrah with simplified procedures, by issuing an Umrah permit through the Nusuk app and arriving directly through land or air ports. “Visiting Al-Rawdah Al-Sharif at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah requires prior appointment booking through the Nusuk app,” it added.

1 year ago

Saudi Security Forces Arrest 13,532 Illegals In A Week

A total of 13,532 illegal residents were arrested in Saudi Arabia in a week.The arrests were made during the inspections, carried out by the security forces in collaboration with the relevant government agencies, during the period between June 19 and June 25, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday. Those who were arrested include 7,903 violators of the Residency Law, 3,744 violators of the Border Security Law, and 1,885 violators of the Labor Law. The ministry said that a total of 9,479 illegals were deported while 6,225 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 2,072 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations. The total number of people who were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom accounted for 1,892, of whom 31 percent were Yemeni nationals, 67 percent Ethiopian nationals, and two percent belonged to other nationalities. Some 17 people, involved in giving transportation, shelter, and employment for violators, were also arrested. A total of 11,908 illegal residents, including 10,783 men and 1,125 women, are currently undergoing various phases of legal procedures as part of punitive measures against them. The Ministry of Interior has warned that any person, who facilitates the […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia: Royal Commission For Jubail And Yanbu Plans To Impose Hefty Penalties For Various Municipal Violations

The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu announced plans to introduce revised penalties for a host of municipal violations. The commission urged the stakeholders to express their opinions and viewpoints on the proposed multitude of penalties for various violations before finalizing them. These included in the draft “Regulations of Fines and Penalties for Municipal Violations of the Royal Commission.” The draft requires the perpetrator of a municipal violation to repair any damage and restore the property to its original condition, and to appeal to the competent authority against any of the penalties specified in the regulation within 60 days from the date of notification of the penalty. The competent authority’s decision may be appealed to the Board of Grievances within 60 days. The draft categorizes violations into five groups: public health violations; slaughter and stray livestock violations, sales violations, building violations, and traffic violations. Public health violations included 60 violations, with fines ranging from SR100 to SR20,000. These violations included food waste from homes with a fine of SR100; commercial waste from fruit and vegetable markets with fines ranging from SR1,000 to SR5,000; hazardous waste from factories with fines ranging from SR10,000 to SR20,000; workers showing symptoms of illness with […]

1 year ago

Video: Man Attempts To Stab Elderly Imam Outside Mosque In Riyadh

A viral video showing an attempted attack on a mosque imam as he exited the building has prompted immediate action by Saudi Ministry of Interior, which confirmed the arrest of the assailant in Riyadh. The footage, widely circulated on social media, shows the imam, an elderly man with a white beard, leaving the mosque when he is suddenly confronted by a man holding what appeared to be a knife. The imam manages to push the attacker back, and several bystanders also rushed in to intervene. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior released a statement confirming the arrest of the suspect, whose image was published on the ministry’s official Snapchat account. Another image showed him from behind, in custody. “Riyadh Police have arrested a person who appeared in a video attempting to assault another individual in front of a mosque,” the ministry said. “He has been taken into custody, and legal procedures are underway. He has been referred to the Public Prosecution.” The incident took place in the Manfouha neighborhood of the capital. While social media users speculated the attacker may have attempted to stab the imam, authorities have not officially disclosed details the motive. In a separate development, the ministry added […]

1 year ago

Omanis Citizens Earning RO600 Or Less Can Now Apply For Marriage Aid

Citizens of Muscat Governorate with monthly incomes of RO 600 or less are now eligible to apply for marriage support under a new government initiative. The activation of the Marriage Fund Support Request Service comes as part of royal directives to roll out marriage assistance across all governorates in Oman. The initiative, launched by Muscat Governorate, is intended to ease the financial burden of marriage for eligible Omani citizens and is accessible through the governorate’s official website. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria: they must be Omani nationals between the ages of 22 and 45, have never been married, reside in Muscat Governorate, and be marrying another Omani citizen. In addition, their monthly income must not exceed RO 600. Required documentation includes copies of the applicant’s ID card, a certified marriage contract, and an employer-endorsed salary certificate. Applications can be submitted online or via email and are subject to a verification process. Once reviewed, eligible applicants will be notified by phone. The service is free of charge, and the review process typically takes up to 30 working days. The rollout in Muscat follows a directive by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to establish a national marriage support fund. […]

1 year ago

‘Kuwaiti’ Man Arrested With 1 Million Captagon Pills

Kuwaiti authorities have arrested a man in possession of one million Captagon pills, uncovering during the operation that he had also illegally obtained Kuwaiti citizenship through forged documents, the Ministry of Interior has announced. The suspect was apprehended following a high-level investigation by the General Administration for Drug Control, which received detailed intelligence regarding his involvement in trafficking and promoting narcotic substances. Security forces set up a carefully coordinated trap that led to his arrest, despite his resistance at the scene. Inside his residence, officers discovered forged documents proving that the suspect had unlawfully acquired Kuwaiti nationality—prompting the formation of a joint task force between the drug enforcement unit and the Investigations Department for Nationality Affairs. The ministry stated that legal proceedings are underway to address both the drug trafficking and citizenship fraud, describing the case as a serious threat to national security. “The suspect tried to obstruct the arrest process and resisted officers, but he was subdued without injuries,” the statement noted. Captagon, a widely abused amphetamine-type stimulant, has become a growing concern in the region. The seizure of such a large quantity highlights what officials call a coordinated and integrated approach to combating drug smuggling and protecting public […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia Launches 1447 AH Umrah Season Plan To Enrich Pilgrims’ Spiritual Journey

Saudi Arabia’s Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has officially launched its operational plan for the 1447 AH Umrah season, aiming to enhance the spiritual experience for millions of pilgrims and visitors. The plan, announced during a ceremony at the Presidency’s headquarters in Mecca, is designed to provide a smooth and fulfilling religious journey for all. Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al Sudais, President of Religious Affairs, said the 1447 AH Umrah season will be guided by a service-centric approach, with the enrichment of spiritual and devotional experiences forming the plan’s central objective. He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between various government agencies and strategic partners to ensure unified and efficient implementation. The eight-month plan will unfold in three distinct phases, running until the end of Sha’ban 1447 AH, after which the separate Ramadan operational plan will take effect. On June 10, Saudi Arabia resumed issuing Umrah visas, followed by the start of Nusuk permit applications on June 11. The Ministry clarified key dates within the Umrah calendar: the deadline for approving contracts between Umrah companies and overseas agents is the first day of Sha’ban; the issuance of Umrah visas will cease on the first […]

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Kuwait Launches English Language Exit Permit Feature On Sahel App For Private Sector Expats

Cristiano Ronaldo Declares Saudi Arabia His Home: ‘I Want To Live Here Forever’

Dubai To Launch New Contractor Rating System By 2026; Suspends Two Firms

Saudi Arabia: Hajj Ministry: Gulf Citizens Can perform Umrah At Any Time

Saudi Security Forces Arrest 13,532 Illegals In A Week

Saudi Arabia: Royal Commission For Jubail And Yanbu Plans To Impose Hefty Penalties For Various Municipal Violations

Video: Man Attempts To Stab Elderly Imam Outside Mosque In Riyadh

Omanis Citizens Earning RO600 Or Less Can Now Apply For Marriage Aid

‘Kuwaiti’ Man Arrested With 1 Million Captagon Pills

Saudi Arabia Launches 1447 AH Umrah Season Plan To Enrich Pilgrims’ Spiritual Journey

Recent Posts

Bahrain International Airshow’s Eighth Edition Rescheduled to November 2028

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Saudi-led coalition in Yemen says 73 injured in Houthi attacks on the kingdom

One visa for 6 Gulf countries: GCC chief says scheme will launch ‘soon’

Popular Indian restaurant Chokhi Dhani Dubai to close permanently on September 15

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