Saudi Arabia adds six more countries to its e-tourist visa program

In an effort to boost tourism, Saudi Arabia has expanded its e-visa program for tourists to include citizens of six more countries, bringing the total number of participating countries to 63. According to the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, the e-visa program now includes Turkey, Thailand, Mauritius, Seychelles, Panama and St. Kitts and Nevis. Citizens of these six countries can now apply for a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia before their trip via the official e-visa portal.

"The Kingdom welcomes the world by expanding and simplifying the e-visa process for the six new countries so that the visa can be applied for electronically or at the entry points to the Kingdom to ensure a memorable tourism experience," a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Tourism said.

On July 11, 2023, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia officially opened the Umrah season, which allows foreigners to enter the country for pilgrimage. Different types of visas are available for Umrah and Hajj, five of which are most commonly used. In addition, the ministry pointed out that nationals and residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have the option to apply for Umrah authorization through two applications, Nusuk and Tawakkalna. The latest extension of the electronic tourist visa program, which came into effect yesterday, applies to citizens of the following countries:

• Albania
• Azerbaijan
• Georgia
• Kyrgyzstan
• Maldives
• South Africa
• Tajikistan
• Uzbekistan

This extensive list offers travelers various opportunities to discover Saudi Arabia's diverse cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes and economic prospects.

The e-Tourist Visa is valid for a full year, allows multiple entries and allows visitors to stay for up to 90 days. Travelers from participating countries can easily apply for the e-Visa online or upon arrival at one of Saudi Arabia's international airports.

To apply for a visa to Saudi Arabia, applicants can visit the e-Visa website and click on the "Apply Now" button. They then need to fill out the visa application form, pay the required visa fee and wait for their e-visa to be processed, which usually takes around 30 minutes.