Riyadh, October 17, 2023, Saudi Arabia is expanding its visitor visa program to include six new countries: Türkiye, Thailand, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, and Mauritius. Travelers from these nations can apply for a Saudi visitor visa via the official e-visa portal at visa.visitsaudi.com, making it easier for them to explore the diverse attractions the country has to offer.
The visitor e-visa is valid for a year, allowing multiple entries and stays of up to 90 days. Saudi Arabia is keen to enhance the tourism experience, focusing on its warm and welcoming hospitality, known as "Hafawah." To assist travelers in planning their trips, Visit Saudi provides an online trip planner for creating custom itineraries.
Visitors to Saudi Arabia can explore its seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, experience the vibrant Red Sea for snorkeling and diving, visit the renowned Rose Gardens in Taif, immerse themselves in the local culture at Riyadh's Deira Souq, and savor the diverse culinary scene, from Arabic delicacies to international fine dining.
The expansion of the visitor e-visa program demonstrates Saudi Arabia's commitment to promoting tourism and easing access for travelers. The country has continuously evolved its visa initiatives to meet the growing demand. In 2019, the Ministry of Tourism introduced the visitor visa program, which initially targeted 49 countries and now covers 63 countries and special administrative regions.
Saudi Arabia further extended its regulations to offer a visitor e-visa to those holding valid Schengen, UK, and US visas, as well as to permanent residents of EU and GCC countries, the UK, and the US. Earlier this year, the 96-hour Stopover Visa was launched, enabling passengers to explore Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours, including for religious purposes like Umrah.
For more information on the Saudi tourist e-visa and travel regulations, you can visit www.visitsaudi.com/en/travel-regulations or follow @AskVisitSaudi.
