Pilgrims Can Now Activate eSIM Cards Upon Arrival in Saudi Arabia

Pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom can activate eSIMs instantly through local telecom apps, bypassing in-person service centres.
Pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah can now digitally activate eSIM cards upon arrival, thanks to a new initiative launched by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), the Ministry of Interior (MoI), and licensed telecom providers.
The system allows pilgrims to request eSIMs from local operators and verify their identity using biometric data through the Absher platform, enabling activation without the need to visit a store or wait until reaching their accommodation.
The move aims to simplify access to mobile services, ensuring pilgrims are connected from the moment they enter the Kingdom. It forms part of CST's wider strategy to enhance digital services for pilgrims in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

CairoScene

a day ago

• CairoScene

Top Hajj Hospitality Centres Honoured With New Excellence Award

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched the Ekram Excellence Award to encourage innovation and service quality among hospitality centres serving Arab pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj season. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched the first edition of the Ekram Excellence Award for the 2025 Hajj season, a new initiative aimed at recognising outstanding hospitality centres affiliated with Ekram Al-Dayf—a division of Ashraqat company focused on serving Arab pilgrims. The award seeks to promote administrative and operational excellence among Hajj service providers, aligning with the ministry's broader Vision 2030 objectives and the Pilgrim Experience Program. By highlighting performance benchmarks and best practices, the initiative aims to foster healthy competition and improve service delivery during the pilgrimage. In addition to operational quality, the award criteria emphasise innovation, social responsibility, and volunteer engagement. These standards reflect a commitment to sustainable development and elevate the role of hospitality centres in shaping the overall pilgrim experience.

Egypt Today

a day ago

• Egypt Today

All Egyptian pilgrims return home within one week amid regional escalation

File- The first group of Egyptian pilgrims of this year, 2023, boarding the plane to Saudi Arabia- press photo CAIRO – 20 June 2025 – Amid ongoing military escalation in the region between Iran and Israel, all Egyptian pilgrims who traveled through tourism companies for Hajj have safely returned home from Saudi Arabia within a single week. Samia Sami, Assistant Minister for Tourism Companies and Head of the Official Egyptian Hajj Tourist Mission, stated that the pilgrimage concluded in record time due to the regional situation. A total of 80 tourist buses, carrying approximately 7,500 pilgrims, departed smoothly from Mecca and Medina and traveled via the Halat Ammar land crossing on the Saudi-Jordanian border, continuing through the Jordanian port of Aqaba and arriving at Egypt's Nuweiba port. Sami noted that the Central Emergency Operations Room—established by the Hajj mission under ministerial directives—closely monitored all bus movements from Saudi Arabia to Egypt. This was done in full coordination with Saudi, Jordanian, and Egyptian authorities to ensure a safe and organized return. She emphasized that the success of this expedited operation was made possible through continuous coordination between all relevant agencies across the three countries. As a result, the entire overland pilgrimage concluded without significant delays or congestion. Sami expressed her deep appreciation to the authorities and agencies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Arab Republic of Egypt. She also extended gratitude to the Chamber of Travel and Tourism Companies and Agencies, and to the tourism companies responsible for organizing this year's overland Hajj trips, for their swift response and effective collaboration with the mission. Regarding pilgrims returning via air travel, Sami confirmed that arrangements are ongoing to facilitate their return on scheduled flights. The final groups are expected to arrive within the coming days, with continued efforts to ensure their comfort and safety throughout the process.

Mid East Info

2 days ago

• Mid East Info

Leading technology to deliver high-performance connectivity Zain KSA Among the First in the Middle East to Activate 600 MHz Band

Zain KSA has launched the first phase of its commercial deployment of 5G Standalone (5G-SA) over the 600 MHz band. Full-scale commercial rollout in Riyadh and Jeddah is scheduled during the fourth quarter of 2025, to be followed by a phased expansion extending high-quality internet services across major cities, secondary cities, and the roads connecting them. The commercial deployment of 5G-SA services using low-band spectrum sets a new standard for enhancing nationwide coverage and enabling next-generation connectivity. Zain KSA had acquired 30MHz in the 600MHz band in the Communication, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) spectrum auction of November 2024. Eng. Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Al Nujaidi, Zain KSA Chief Technology Officer, commented on the milestone: 'Activating our 5G SA network on the low-band spectrum marks a major leap forward for the Kingdom's digital ambitions. This deployment significantly extends our 5G coverage, ensuring our customers enjoy uninterrupted, high-performance connectivity. With this ever-evolving, future-ready infrastructure, Zain KSA reinforces its role as an enabler of innovation, empowering businesses and communities to continue to thrive.' Through the low-band 5G-SA, Zain KSA supports broader adoption of advanced digital services and innovative user experiences, from HD video calls and cloud applications to ultra-responsive mobile gaming and IoT innovation. This strategic deployment lays the foundation for advanced 5G-SA capabilities, including Voice over New Radio (VoNR), RedCap device support, and Network Slicing, unlocking new investment opportunities in the business and consumer sectors. These advancements strengthen Zain KSA's 5G ecosystem as an enabler of nationwide innovation and a catalyst of the Kingdom's digital transformation, contributing to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.