Saudi citizens are now eligible to apply for the United States’ Global Entry programme, enabling approved travellers to complete immigration procedures more quickly when arriving at US airports, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

The initiative aims to deepen cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United States while making travel more convenient for citizens of both countries, the ministry said.

Managed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Global Entry is part of the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP). It allows approved members to use dedicated processing lanes and automated kiosks to speed up entry procedures, including identity checks and passport inspections.

Members may also qualify for TSA PreCheck, which provides access to designated security screening lanes when departing from US airports.

Saudi applicants can submit their applications online through the Trusted Traveler Programs portal and pay a fee of $120. Those granted conditional approval must attend an in-person interview before their membership is activated.

Successful applicants receive membership valid for five years. According to the ministry, the programme provides access to services at more than 200 airports across the United States, with participation from over 80 airlines.

The ministry also highlighted the programme’s family-related benefits, noting that eligible travellers can access Global Entry and TSA PreCheck services through a single membership.

However, applications remain subject to the rules and eligibility requirements set by the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia and the United States. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.

Source: Saudi Gazette

Thick fog covered the slopes of Shada Al-Asfal Mountain in Al-Makhwah Governorate, Al-Baha Region, as rainfall and thunderstorms brought dramatic changes to the area's landscape.

Lightning illuminated the skies over Tihama, accompanied by moderate to heavy rain. Water streamed down mountain slopes, forming temporary waterfalls, while cooler conditions settled across the Sarawat highlands.

The mountain presented a particularly striking scene as dense mist enveloped its peaks and agricultural terraces. At sunset, flashes of lightning and distant thunder combined with fading twilight, creating a dramatic contrast between white clouds, rugged mountain formations and drifting fog.

Photographs released by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) captured streams of rainwater flowing through terraced farmland and tree-covered valleys. Sunlight breaking through the clouds further highlighted the area's greenery and distinctive mountain scenery.

Shada Al-Asfal is regarded as one of Saudi Arabia's notable natural and tourist destinations. Its appeal extends beyond its landscapes to include agricultural traditions, cultural heritage, caves and grottos containing distinctive geological formations.

Together, these features offer visitors an opportunity to experience the natural and cultural diversity of the landscapes stretching between Tihama and the Sarawat mountain range.

Source: SPA

Saudi citizens are now eligible to apply for the United States’ Global Entry programme, enabling approved travellers to complete immigration procedures more quickly when arriving at US airports, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

The initiative aims to deepen cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United States while making travel more convenient for citizens of both countries, the ministry said.

Managed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Global Entry is part of the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP). It allows approved members to use dedicated processing lanes and automated kiosks to speed up entry procedures, including identity checks and passport inspections.

Members may also qualify for TSA PreCheck, which provides access to designated security screening lanes when departing from US airports.

Saudi applicants can submit their applications online through the Trusted Traveler Programs portal and pay a fee of $120. Those granted conditional approval must attend an in-person interview before their membership is activated.

Successful applicants receive membership valid for five years. According to the ministry, the programme provides access to services at more than 200 airports across the United States, with participation from over 80 airlines.

The ministry also highlighted the programme’s family-related benefits, noting that eligible travellers can access Global Entry and TSA PreCheck services through a single membership.

However, applications remain subject to the rules and eligibility requirements set by the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia and the United States. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.

Source: Saudi Gazette

Saudi security authorities arrested 13,905 people during nationwide campaigns targeting violations of residency, labour and border security regulations between October 15 and 21, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday.

Of those arrested, 6,554 were accused of violating residency rules, 3,865 of breaching border security regulations and 3,486 of violating labour laws.

Security forces also detained 1,881 people for attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally and another 22 for trying to leave the Kingdom through unauthorized border crossings. A further 21 people were arrested on suspicion of transporting, sheltering, employing or concealing individuals who had violated residency, labour or border security regulations.

The ministry said 37,618 expatriates were undergoing legal procedures at the time of the announcement. The group comprised 35,449 men and 2,169 women.

Authorities referred 20,252 individuals to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 6,555 were directed to complete arrangements for their departure. A total of 7,934 people were deported during the reporting period.

The Ministry of Interior reiterated that anyone who facilitates the illegal entry of border security violators, transports them within the Kingdom, provides accommodation or offers other forms of assistance faces severe penalties.

The penalties include imprisonment for up to 15 years and fines of up to SR1 million. Vehicles and properties used to shelter violators may also be confiscated, and offenders' identities may be made public.

The ministry classified such offences as major crimes warranting arrest and involving breaches of honour and trust.

It urged the public to report suspected violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province. In other regions, reports can be made through 999 or 996.

Source: Saudi Gazette

The Red Sea has long been central to Jeddah’s identity, shaping the city’s culture, economy and social traditions across generations. Beyond its geographical significance, the sea remains a source of livelihood, inspiration and shared memories for residents.

Historically, the Red Sea served as a vital route for fishing boats, merchant vessels, goods, travellers and pilgrims. These maritime connections helped establish Jeddah as an important gateway for trade and pilgrimage, bringing diverse cultures into contact and influencing the city’s urban character and social fabric.

The sea has also played a lasting role in everyday community life. Families and friends have traditionally gathered along the waterfront to enjoy the coastal breeze, watch sunsets and share time together. Today, Jeddah’s waterfronts continue to provide popular spaces for recreation and social gatherings.

Maritime traditions remain embedded in the city’s folk heritage. Stories of sailors and fishermen, traditional sea chants, boatbuilding and fishing-net repair reflect the skills and customs developed through generations of coastal living.

Fishing remains another important expression of Jeddah’s connection with the sea. The practice has been passed down through families, while fishing boats, harbours and traditional seafood markets continue to form part of the city’s coastal landscape. Seafood dishes also retain a prominent place in local cuisine.

Jeddah’s Corniche attracts residents and visitors throughout the year, particularly at sunset, when the changing colours of the sky meet the waters of the Red Sea. The waterfront’s scenery reinforces the sea’s place in the city’s collective memories and cultural identity.

The maritime setting has also contributed to Jeddah’s openness to different cultures. Centuries of trade, travel and human interaction have influenced local cuisine, folk arts and social customs, leaving a lasting imprint on the city’s heritage.

Recreational boat trips offer another way for residents and tourists to experience the coastline and view Jeddah from the water. These activities are also part of the broader development of coastal tourism in Saudi Arabia.

In this context, the Saudi Red Sea Authority is working to regulate coastal tourism activities. Its Requirements and Conditions for Recreational Boat Chartering are intended to improve passenger safety and service quality while protecting the marine environment.

These measures aim to support a coastal tourism experience that respects the relationship between local communities and their maritime surroundings.

For Jeddah’s residents, the Red Sea remains much more than a geographical feature. It is an enduring part of the city’s identity, connecting generations through shared traditions, livelihoods and memories while continuing to shape its future as a coastal destination.

Source: SPA

Al-Makhwah Governorate in the Tihama area of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Baha Region is emerging as a popular autumn destination for residents of the surrounding highlands and visitors from across the region.

Surrounded by mountains and valleys, the governorate offers warmer temperatures that attract people seeking a break from the cooler conditions of the Sarawat highlands. Its parks, scenic landscapes and historic landmarks provide a range of experiences for visitors.

One of its principal attractions is Thee Ain Historical Village, known for its multi-storey stone buildings standing on a white rocky hill. Freshwater springs and green orchards surround the village, supporting the cultivation of bananas, kadi, sweet basil and almonds.

The governorate’s cultural and commercial life also centres on its weekly Tuesday market, which covers more than 30,000 square metres. The market serves as a meeting place for local communities and a showcase for regional products, including honey, dates, grains, aromatic plants, traditional foods and handicrafts.

Goods produced by families engaged in small-scale and home-based industries also feature among the market’s offerings, providing opportunities for local producers to reach customers and preserve traditional crafts.

By combining the historic architecture of Thee Ain Village with open-air parks and traditional markets, Al-Makhwah offers visitors a varied tourism experience connecting the mountain landscapes of Al-Baha with the coastal plains of Tihama.

Source: SPA