Residents of Qatar and other GCC countries can now apply for a Saudi Arabian eVisa, it has been announced.
According to reports, Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed al-Khateeb has signed a ministerial order that will make visiting Saudi Arabia quicker and easier and the country more accessible.
The new regulations allow residents of the GCC countries to apply for an eVisa and residents of the UK, US and the EU to apply for a visa on arrival. Also, those with a valid tourist or business visa from the UK, US or one of the Schengen Agreement countries may continue to be able to apply for a visa on arrival, provided it has been used at least once to enter the country granting the visa.
The decree removes the requirement for many would-be visitors to report to their country’s embassy before entering Saudi Arabia, increasing opportunities for potential travellers through a simplified visitor journey, according to a press statement by the Ministry of Tourism.
GCC residents can apply for the eVisa through the online portal - www.visitsaudi.com/visa
The e-visa application process is as follows:
* Visit the eVisa page and fill out the required information
* Upload the required documents
* Pay the eVisa fees
* Get your eVisa by email
The conditions specify that a resident's occupation should be among the eligible occupations listed on the portal. The residency document must be valid for at least three months, while the passport must be valid for at least six months. Also, parent application is mandatory for those under 18.
Elevating the visitor experience is at the heart of the tourism sector’s future, al-Khateeb said, adding that Saudi Arabia is welcoming more visitors by harnessing digital innovation and streamlining the traveller’s journey.
He noted that the move was part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and an important step in developing a sustainable, resilient and competitive tourism sector.
"The announcement will make it easier than ever before to visit Saudi Arabia, a great example of collaboration across the sector to provide a seamless travel experience for our visitors," the ministry tweeted.
The new regulations allow residents of the GCC countries to apply for an eVisa and residents of the UK, US and the EU to apply for a visa on arrival. Also, those with a valid tourist or business visa from the UK, US or one of the Schengen Agreement countries may continue to be able to apply for a visa on arrival, provided it has been used at least once to enter the country granting the visa.
The decree removes the requirement for many would-be visitors to report to their country’s embassy before entering Saudi Arabia, increasing opportunities for potential travellers through a simplified visitor journey, according to a press statement by the Ministry of Tourism.
GCC residents can apply for the eVisa through the online portal - www.visitsaudi.com/visa
The e-visa application process is as follows:
* Visit the eVisa page and fill out the required information
* Upload the required documents
* Pay the eVisa fees
* Get your eVisa by email
The conditions specify that a resident's occupation should be among the eligible occupations listed on the portal. The residency document must be valid for at least three months, while the passport must be valid for at least six months. Also, parent application is mandatory for those under 18.
Elevating the visitor experience is at the heart of the tourism sector’s future, al-Khateeb said, adding that Saudi Arabia is welcoming more visitors by harnessing digital innovation and streamlining the traveller’s journey.
He noted that the move was part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and an important step in developing a sustainable, resilient and competitive tourism sector.
"The announcement will make it easier than ever before to visit Saudi Arabia, a great example of collaboration across the sector to provide a seamless travel experience for our visitors," the ministry tweeted.
