Saudi Arabia has recently broadened its electronic visa (e-visa) accessibility, marking a significant step towards facilitating international travel and tourism. With the inclusion of citizens from three new countries – Barbados, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and Grenada – into its visa program, Saudi Arabia now offers greater flexibility for individuals from diverse regions to visit the Kingdom.
This expansion of e-visa brings the total number of eligible countries to 66, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to promoting global tourism and fostering international relations.
In addition to welcoming citizens from the newly included countries, Saudi Arabia has extended the tourist visa to residents of the US, the UK, and the EU, as well as visit visa holders from the US, UK, and the Schengen area. By broadening eligibility criteria, Saudi Arabia aims to attract tourists from key markets and enhance cultural exchange opportunities between different nations.
Residents of GCC countries also stand to benefit from the expanded visa program, gaining access to various travel purposes such as tourism, the Umrah pilgrimage, visiting family and friends, and participating in events and conferences held in Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has introduced transit visas for travelers flying with Saudia and Flynas Airlines, allowing a 96-hour stay in the Kingdom before continuing their journey. This initiative not only promotes Saudi Arabia as a transit hub but also enhances the overall travel experience for transit passengers.
The Ministry of Tourism introduced the visit visa in September 2019 as part of a broader initiative to showcase Saudi Arabia’s rich tourist offerings, engage visitors in cultural experiences, and promote international interaction.
With these recent expansions, Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate its commitment to enhancing its tourism infrastructure and welcoming visitors from around the world, thereby contributing to the growth and development of the tourism sector in the Kingdom.
