Saudi embassy: we will not offer courtesy visa for Haj

Chargé d’affaires at the Saudi embassy in Algeria Abdellah Ben Fahd Chamri Tuesday said courtesy visas for Haj “does not exist.”

“courtesy visas can not be granted to anyone. Only special people can get it,” he told Echorouk.

This comes as tens of people wait next to the embassy to obtain the visa.

“There is no hope for those who are waiting outside,” he added.

He also said a number of people have false information about the courtesy visa. The only way to perform Haj is to get the “ordinary visa” as part of Algeria’s official quota.

Algeria’s quota reached 28,000 pilgrims this year. Visa is granted to one person out of 1,000. 

The Saudi diplomat said he hopes that Algerian people become aware of the courtesy visa. “Algeria launched awareness-raising campaigns in a fair about Haj, few days ago and also in mosques and airports. Yet, they are still not aware about the courtesy visa. They have to know that the only way to obtain the visa is to follow the official process.”