SAUDI ARABIA’S FURTHER SIMPLIFIES ENTRY TO THE KINGDOM FOR TRAVELLERS
Saudi Arabia has revealed it will allow residents of countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to apply for Saudi eVisas. The government has also announced that residents of the EU, UK and USA are now able to get a visa on arrival. All these measures have been implemented to fulfil the Vision 2030, which forecasts the Kingdom to welcome 100 million travellers by the end of the decade.
Saudi Arabia e-Visa is the way for the Kingdom to boost its tourist arrivals in line with the Vision 2030 of Saudi authorities. Through a fast and easy-to-use online portal, international visitors from 49 eligible countries can apply for an eVisa and discover the country’s rich heritage, vibrant culture, and diverse and breathtaking landscapes.
The eVisa is a one-year, multiple entry visa, allowing tourists to spend up to 90 days in Saudi Arabia. It covers tourism-related activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj season) and excludes other activities such as studying. The fast e-visa has been now extended to five other GCC countries. This includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia’s ministry of tourism highlights that, beside the availability of an eVisa, citizens from the EU, UK and USA can also receive a visa on arrival in the kingdom. The scheme is opened to the residents of the three designated areas who hold a passport with at least six months of validity. The new set of measures came immediately into force.
“The facilitation of a tourist visa for millions of GCC residents and the visa on arrival extension supports our ambition to welcome 100 million visitors a year by 2030,” said Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority. “This is not just an announcement, it is an invitation and we are making it easier than ever for visitors to explore thousands of years of history and culture, unmatched natural landscapes, and a thriving entertainment sector,.”
In 2019 Saudi Arabia received around 17.5 million international travellers.
Article source: https://news.itb.com/regional-spotlight/middle-east/saudi-arabia-entry/