Saudi Arabia, a country we did not know much about until a few years ago, has now become an aspiring tourist destination. While the moment we think of this country, the first thing that comes to our mind is the deserts, dunes and oases.
However, it is beyond these and has soaring mountains, beautiful coral reefs, unmatchable coastline, and crystal clear water with diverse history, culture, heritage, architecture and beauty we can write home about.
Since opening for tourism in 2019, the country has launched several initiatives to make a mark in the tourist experience in the Middle East.
To take it a notch up, Saudi Arabia has introduced new instant e-visa options to simplify the process for travellers looking to explore this beautiful country.
Who can avail this e-visa service?
Individuals holding UK, US, and Schengen visas, or are permanent residents of the UK, US, and any EU country can now easily avail this service.
Permanent residence holders of these countries can also grant first-degree relatives, access to the Kingdom via an upon-arrival visa at any air, land, and sea ports.
Holders of a valid tourism or business visa from the US, the UK, or one of the Schengen states have also been granted an exception, provided the visa was used at least once to enter the issuing country.
Where to apply for the e-visa?
You can apply the e-visa via the KSAMOFA website.
What is the exception to this e-visa?
The tourism visas do not grant their holders the right to perform Hajj nor Umrah during the pilgrimage season but is valid during all other seasons.
What are the e-visa requirement?
- A valid Passport
- Valid proof of residence in case of permanent residency.
- Valid visa from the approved categories in case of non- residents with a stamp of visiting the country of origin of the visa.
How long is the visa valid?
The visa comes with a three months validity and can be applied up to 90 days before you travel and what more- it's completely free of cost!
What are the past steps taken by The Saudi Tourism Authority to boost tourism?
-Earlier, the country had expanded its regulations to offer visas on arrival to individuals with valid US, UK, and Schengen visas, as well as permanent residents of the UK, US, and any EU country, while e-visa eligibility was expanded to include residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
- The country also introduced the Stopover Visa (transit visa), a free-of-charge option available to passengers booked on Saudia Airlines or Flynas- with a stopover in the country. This visa was open to more number of countries, allowing visitors to stay in the kingdom for up to 96 hours.
- In 2022, the Saudi Tourism Authority also collaborated with the Pilgrim Experience Program to launch the Nusuk platform, offering pilgrims and visitors a user-friendly planning gateway for their journeys to Makkah, Madinah, and other destinations.
The Saudi Tourism Authority is leaving no stoned unturned to make the country tourism friendly with easy accessibility and connectivity with digitisation to enable travellers to explore the country’s rich cultural diversity. It is now emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism markets, attracting 93.5 million visitors in 2022 as per reports.
Planning to visit Saudi Arabia soon? Do not miss out on our Guide to help you explore the best of the country.
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