Tourist Visa: Saudi Arabia Welcomes Visitors from 60 Nations

The Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, declared that Saudi Arabia has generously extended its doors to 60 countries.

Typically, the rising number of tourists visiting the Kingdom to discover its history and tourist sites prompted this action.

In 2019, the Kingdom started providing electronic visas to 49 nations, according to Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb. Besides, the inclusion of more than 15 countries was chosen since they are responsible for 80% of all traveller spending worldwide.

Saudi Arabia’s Tourist Visa Programme

United States, Canada, Switzerland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Monaco, Andorra, Russia, Malta, Montenegro, San Marino, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Poland, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Greece, Slovenia, Netherlands, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Brunei, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Kazakhstan, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand are among the nations whose citizens are eligible to obtain a tourist visa.

Moreover, using the electronic entry visa system, which allows its holders to get a multiple-entry visa for tourism for up to 90 consecutive days, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia opens its doors to all nations worldwide. Upon arriving in Saudi Arabia, you can obtain a tourist visit visa at the passport area’s visa-issuing offices.

Additionally, you can apply for a tourist visa online by visiting the e-tourist visa portal and completing the e-visa application. In keeping with its tradition of granting several visas, the Kingdom began issuing this particular kind of visa in late 2019.

Furthermore, this visa enhances the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s access, legacy, and antiquity to other nations worldwide, which permits visitors and tourists to stay in the Kingdom for a maximum of ninety consecutive days. This allows visitors to spend time getting to know the Kingdom, interacting with its people, and learning about their customs.

Nonetheless, the Saudi tourist visa may occasionally be granted as a single-entry visa, allowing for a 30-day stay. The e-visa charge for Saudi Arabia is around 535 Saudi Riyals or 143 US dollars. This fee covers the applicant’s full health insurance for the duration of their stay in the Kingdom.

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A Comprehensive Overview of Saudi Visas’ Type

In addition to the multiple-visit visa, Saudi Arabia is always trying to add more nations to its list of eligible countries. In order to avoid staying in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for extended periods, holders of Saudi tourist visas should also be aware that the visa is not renewable and that they should verify their visa information and make travel plans appropriately.

There are many sorts of Saudi visas based on the purpose of your journey to the Kingdom. Visas are classified as tourist visas, business visit visas, work visas, student visas, residence visas, distinguished residence visas, Saudi family visit visas, visas for visiting companions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, personal visit visas, visas for newborns in the Kingdom, Saudi government visas, diplomatic and official visas, visas for diplomatic missions and organisations, and visas for extension to exit/return to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Hajj visas, Umrah visas, airport transit visas, and the Kingdom is continually looking for methods to make it easier for visitors to come by offering hotel reservation systems, events, transportation, and other services.

According to the United Nations Tourism Barometer report released in September 2024, Saudi Arabia maintained its position as the top G20 country in terms of both the growth rate of foreign tourists and the growth rate of foreign tourism revenues. The most recent data available for the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019 shows that the Kingdom increased the number of foreign tourists by 73% and the revenue from international tourism by 207%.

Tourism is a Catalyst for Economic Growth

One of the most crucial foundations of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is the tourist industry, which will help diversify the country’s economy and lessen its reliance on oil.

The Ministry of Tourism, the Tourism Development Fund, the Saudi Tourism Authority, the Saudi Red Sea Authority, the Air Connectivity Program, and the Tourism Development Council are just a few of the numerous government organisations working in the tourism sector.

Eventually, all of these organisations originated following the highest international standards, and their functions complement one another to fulfil the aspirations and objectives of this significant industry and aid in its expansion and prosperity.

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