Authorities in Saudi Arabia have facilitated visa requirements for tourists from Pakistan in a bid to attract a larger number of foreigners to the country.
Under the new changes, Saudi Arabia now allows applications with a bank statement showing a minimum monthly credit of $750, VisaGuide.World reports.
Earlier this year, authorities in Saudi Arabia unfolded plans to attract a total of 2.7 million visitors this year, thus accounting for an increase of 43 per cent in arrivals, compared to 2023 figures, according to the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA).
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have opened six Tasheer offices across Pakistan, taking into account cities in Peshawar, Lahore, Quetta, Karachi, Multan and Islamabad.
These kinds of offices offer comprehensive services, including visa application assistance, biometric enrolment, as well as passport delivery, with appointment scheduling available through the Tasheer website.
In addition, Saudi Arabia also offers a transit visa for passengers flying through Saudi and Flyans, allowing up to 96 hours of exploration within the country. A visa on arrival is available for travelers possessing a valid UK, US or Schengen Visa.
Last year, as part of efforts to facilitate the entry rules for Pakistanis, Saudi Arabia introduced a one-year multiple-entry visa for citizens of Pakistan. The visa caters to personal visits, taking into account family events and spiritual journeys such as Umrah, showing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to cultural and spiritual exchange.
The new rules are expected to further boost the tourism sector, thus further helping economic growth.
New Tourism Record Registered in 2023
According to a report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), last year tourism contributed SR444.3 billion ($118.4 billion) to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product, marking a new record.
This success is a direct result of the Kingdom’s visionary commitment to the sector, showcasing an impressive fusion of cultural heritage and innovative tourism initiatives. As the sector continues to expand, it promises to play a crucial role in the nation’s diversified economic future while contributing significantly to global Travel & Tourism development. WTTC President & CEO, Julia Simpson
As part of efforts to attract a larger number of internationals, authorities in Saudi Arabia announced that since the beginning of this year, tourist groups from China would be subject to easier travel rules when planning to visit the Kingdom.
Among the new rules for Chinese nationals were also streamlining visa processes, lowering costs and boosting flight capacity by over 130 per cent.