Saudi Arabia and the Solomon Islands formally agreed to mutually exempt diplomatic, private, and official passport holders from short-stay visa requirements.
The newly signed visa exemption agreement is expected to have a positive impact on international travel by allowing holders of specific passports from both nations to travel without the need to apply for short-stay visas, VisaGuide.World reports.
The discussions between Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele focused on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation across various sectors.
Prince Faisal greeted and appreciated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, wishing the Solomon Islands continued stability and prosperity. In response, Prime Minister Manele greeted the Saudi leadership, wishing the Kingdom steady progress and growth.
The Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Ambassador Saud Al-Sati, and Saudi Ambassador to Australia, Sultan bin Khuzaim, also the non-resident Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, attended the meeting.
Saudi Arabia Eases Travel Rules for Chinese & Pakistani Tourists
While Saudi Arabia and the Solomon Islands have decided only to lift the visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders, the case is not the same for nationals of some other countries.
In July this year, Saudi Arabia decided to ease travel rules for Chinese and Pakistani tourists. As part of these changes, Chinese nationals received language support at Saudi airports, enhancing their travel experience. By 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to attract over five million tourists from China 2030, recognizing the potential of this market.
Under the new regulations for Pakistani citizens, applicants can now submit a bank statement showing a minimum monthly credit of $750, simplifying the financial requirements for obtaining a visa. Earlier this year, Saudi authorities set a goal to welcome 2.7 million visitors in 2024, representing a 43 percent increase in arrivals compared to 2023.
In addition to the above-mentioned, Saudi Arabia also dropped the visa requirements for Cyprus passport holders in April 2024. This new policy allows holders of diplomatic and special passports to travel between the two countries without a visa.
During the meeting between ministers of these two nations, they also reviewed the bilateral relations and explored ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors, focusing on shared interests. While the new agreement simplifies travel for diplomats, regular citizens from both countries will still need visas to visit each other.