Iraq says Saudi Arabia approves entry visas for stranded Iraqis at border crossings

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that the Iraqi Embassy in Riyadh secured approval from Saudi authorities to facilitate entry visas to the kingdom for Iraqi citizens through border crossings.

In a statement, the ministry said the measure comes in response to current regional situation that have left a number of Iraqi citizens stranded in Gulf states and other countries and in need of returning to Iraq through Saudi territory.

The ongoing regional war involving the United States, Israel and Iran which has disrupted air travels across various areas in the Middle East.

Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority extended the country’s airspace closure for 72 hours on Wednesday, covering all incoming, outgoing and transit flights until noon Saturday.

The ministry said the new procedure allows Iraqi citizens to obtain visas directly at border crossings without following the previous process that required submitting applications exclusively through the Iraqi Embassy in Riyadh.

It called on Iraqi citizens wishing to enter Saudi Arabia to head directly to border crossings, particularly the Arar crossing, to complete entry visa procedures according to the regulations set by Saudi authorities.

The ministry said the visas are issued solely for evacuation purposes and do not include Umrah or visit visas.

Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Region’s General Directorate of Hajj and Umrah said Thursday that some Umrah pilgrims have returned to the Kurdistan Region by land due to ongoing regional war.