In a bid to boost tourism, Saudi Arabia has expanded its e-tourist visa program to include nationals from six more countries, thus taking the total number to 63.
As the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia announced, the E-visa program now will also include Türkiye, Thailand, Mauritius, Seychelles, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Nationals of these six countries can now apply for a Saudi visitor visa ahead of their journey via the official e-visa portal, VisaGuide.World reports.
“The Kingdom welcomes the world by expanding and streamlining the E-visa issuance to six new countries, allowing for electronic issuance or at Kingdom entry points, to provide an unforgettable travel experience,” the statement of the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Tourism reads.
The expansion of the electronic tourist visa program represents an important milestone for Saudi Arabia and shows its continued commitment to achieving the goals set out in its ambitious Vision 2030 plan. E-visa holders are also granted the privilege of undertaking Umrah and exploring all religious sites.
On July 11, 2023, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia officially inaugurated the Umrah season, allowing foreigners to enter the country to perform the pilgrimage.
Various types of visas are available to individuals interested in performing the Umrah Hajj, with five being the most commonly used.
Furthermore, the Ministry noted that citizens and residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have the option to request an Umrah permit using two applications: Nusuk and Tawakkalna.
The latest extension of the electronic tourist visa program, prior to the one made yesterday, includes citizens from the following countries:
- Albania
- Azerbaijan
- Uzbekistan
- South Africa
- Georgia
- Maldives
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
This extensive list offers travelers various options to discover Saudi Arabia’s diverse cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and economic prospects.
The e-tourist Visa is valid for an entire year, allows multiple entries, and gives visitors a maximum stay of up to 90 days. Travelers from qualifying countries can easily apply for an e-visa online or on arrival at any of Saudi Arabia’s international airports.
Regarding applying for a Saudi Arabian visa, applicants can visit the e-Visa application website and click the “Apply Now” button. From there, they must complete the visa application form, make the required visa fee payment, and anticipate the processing of their e-visa, which usually takes about 30 minutes.
According to the VisaGuide Passport Index, as of October 2023, the Saudi passport is ranked 103rd in the world. This ranking means that Saudi citizens can travel to 55 countries without visas. However, Saudi passport holders must apply for a visa in advance for the remaining countries.