Saudi Arabia has announced new instant e-visa options for travelers holding UK, US, Schengen visas, and permanent residency in those countries. The purpose of these measures is to facilitate travel and ease restrictions, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Travellers can now apply for an instant e-visa through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
These latest visa measures align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to attract 100 million annual visits by the year 2030.
Since opening up to tourism in 2019, Saudi Arabia has experienced significant growth in its tourism industry, making it one of the fastest-growing markets globally. In 2022, the country recorded a remarkable 93.5 million visits, according to SPA.
According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), Saudi Arabia’s achievement as the world’s second fastest-growing tourism destination is attributed to the efforts of the Saudi Tourism Authority in providing unparalleled experiences and seamless travel journeys across various destinations in the Kingdom, as reported by SPA.
The introduction of the new instant e-visa is one of several initiatives launched by the country in the past year to enhance the visitor experience.
In 2022, the Saudi Tourism Authority collaborated with the Pilgrim Experience Program to launch the Nusuk platform. Nusuk is Saudi Arabia’s first official integrated digital platform, offering pilgrims and visitors an easy-to-use planning gateway for their journeys to Mecca, Medina, and beyond, specifically for Hajj and Umrah.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia had previously extended visa-on-arrival services to holders of valid US, UK, and Schengen visas, as well as permanent residents of those countries. Additionally, e-visa eligibility was extended to residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia introduced a new Stopover Visa, which is available free-of-charge to passengers traveling on SAUDIA and flynas. This visa allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 96 hours and is open to an even greater number of countries compared to the standard tourism e-visa.
Tourism plays a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic reform plan, which aims to diversify the country’s economy and develop non-oil sectors.
According to a report by travel data firm ForwardKeys, Saudi Arabia is projected to lead the demand for international travel in the Middle East from June to August, experiencing a 475 percent increase in travelers compared to 2022 and a 56 percent surge from pre-pandemic levels.
