LONDON: Saudi Arabia has opened a visa service center in Damascus to receive applications, including those related to freight deliveries and passenger transport, as Riyadh deepens economic engagement with Syria.
The Saudi Embassy in Damascus said the center, opened on Sunday, was established as part of joint efforts to strengthen economic ties and support Syria’s recovery amid severe economic challenges, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Ambassador Fahd bin Salem Abu Al-Thnain attended the opening with a representative of the Saudi Foreign Ministry and Abdullah Al-Harees, Saudi Arabia’s charge d’affaires in Syria.
Officials from Syria’s ministries of foreign affairs, tourism, endowments and social affairs also attended.
The opening comes as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to support Syria’s interim government and deepen cooperation between the two countries.
Since the ousting of longtime Syrian president Bashar Assad in December 2024 and the formation of a transitional government, Riyadh has publicly backed Syria’s unity, sovereignty and stability. The Kingdom has also used diplomatic channels to press for an easing of US sanctions, which Syria views as crucial to restoring access to international finance and trade.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar also jointly paid about $15 million to settle Syria’s arrears to the World Bank, opening the way for possible World Bank grants and development assistance.
In July 2025, Saudi Arabia announced a $6.4 billion investment package for Syria that included real estate, telecommunications and information technology projects. The investment was linked to reconstruction efforts after 14 years of war.
