Saudi Arabia Welcomes More Nationals With E-Visa Expansion

Saudi Arabia has recently made a significant move to widen its tourism and international connectivity by extending its electronic visa (E-visa) program. Citizens from Barbados, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and Grenada now have the opportunity to apply for their visas online or obtain them upon arrival at Saudi entry points. This strategic expansion brings the total number of countries whose citizens are eligible for the E-visa to 66.

This initiative is a key component of the Ministry of Tourism's efforts to boost the Kingdom's global connectivity, support economic diversification, and meet the ambitious objectives of Vision 2030 for the tourism sector. Among these objectives are increasing the tourism industry's contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to over 10% and generating one million jobs.

In a move to further enhance accessibility, the tourist visa scheme has also been broadened to include seven additional categories. This expansion encompasses residents of the US, the UK, and the EU, along with visit visa holders from these regions and the Schengen area. Additionally, residents of GCC countries can now avail themselves of this visa, opening doors for various travel purposes including tourism, Umrah pilgrimage, visiting family and friends, and attending a myriad of events, exhibitions, and conferences.

Another noteworthy development is the introduction of transit visas for travellers flying with Saudia and flynas airlines. This visa allows for a 96-hour stay in Saudi Arabia, providing a unique opportunity for transit passengers to explore the Kingdom before continuing their journey.

The Ministry of Tourism launched the visit visa in September 2019 as part of a broader initiative aimed at showcasing Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage and tourist attractions. This move was designed to engage visitors in cultural experiences and promote international interaction. Looking ahead, plans are in place to further expand the E-visit visa system to include more countries and regions, in line with ongoing efforts to develop and enhance the Kingdom’s tourism sector infrastructure.

With inputs from SPA