Saudi Arabia is doing extra ordinary measures to shift its economy to Tourism and foreign investment. The Announcement of Saudi Arabia tourist visa is one of the major steps towards boosting tourism in the country. According to New York Times , Saudi Arabia’s authorities has finally announced the launch of Tourist visa on 27 September 2019. Saudi Arabia Immigration has started receiving visa applications for tourist visa from 28 September 2019.
Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa Fees:
An amount SAR 440 (approximately. 117$) is charged as a Saudi Arabia visa fee. This includes health insurance fee SAR 140 as well. The actual base visa fees is 300 SAR but visa applicant have to pay health insurance fee along with visa fee. So, the total payment for Saudi tourist visa is 440 SAR. Recently, Saudi Arabia has announced unified fees mechanism for all types of visit visas including Hajj, Umrah and transit. [Recommended: New Umrah Visa Fees and Rules.]
Length of Saudi Tourist Visa:
Tourist visa is available with single entry and multiple entries . Tourists can choose between single entry tourist visa and multiple entry tourist visa. Foreign Tourists can stay up to 30 days with single entry visa whereas 90 days stay is allowed with each entry of multiple entry visa. Multiple entry visa comes with a validity of one year. [Recommended: Check Visa Validity of Saudi Arabia Visa]
Eligible Countries for Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa:
According to the details announced by Saudi Arabian government, 49 countries are currently eligible to apply Saudi Arabia Tourist visa. Other countries’ citizens need to contact nearest Saudi Embassy or consulate for this purpose. List of 49 eligible countries is as follows:
- USA
- Canada
- SWITZERLAND
- IRELAND
- LIECHTENSTEIN
- LITHUANIA
- MONACO
- ANDORRA
- RUSSIA
- MALTA
- MONTENEGRO
- SAN MERINO
- UKRAINE
- UNITED KINGDOM
- PORTUGAL
- POLAND
- AUSTRIA
- BELGIUM
- BULGARIA
- ROMANIA
- SLOVAKIA
- CROATIA
- CYPRUS
- CZECH REPUBLIC
- SPAIN
- SWEDEN
- DENMARK
- ESTONIA
- FINLAND
- NORWAY
- LUXEMBOURG
- FRANCE
- GERMANY
- GREECE
- SLOVENIA
- HOLLAND
- HUNGARY
- ICELAND
- ITALY
- LATVIA
- BRUNEI
- JAPAN
- SINGAPORE
- MALAYSIA
- SOUTH KOREA
- KAZAKHSTAN
- CHINA (HONG KONG, MACUA, TAIWAN)
- AUSTRALIA
- NEW ZEALAND
Citizens of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and countries not included in above list, are not eligible for Saudi Arabia tourist visa through the new system, they need to contact nearest Saudi Embassy for the visa.
How to Apply Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa:
Tourists from 49 countries can get Saudi Arabia new tourist visa. This visa can be obtained online in the form of electronic visa ( e visa) in advance before leaving for Saudi Arabia. A dedicated website has been launched to receive tourist e vsia applications and to issue e visa. It means this is an e visa for the purpose of tourism. Visit the official website of Saudi Arabia tourist visa department to apply visa online.
Alternatively, Foreigners can get tourist visa on arrival at the international airport of Saudi Arabia. Tourist have a choice either they get advance e visa or visa on arrival. Saudi government has set up designated counters at airports to issue tourist visa on arrival for citizen of 49 eligible countries. However, it is recommended to get advance e visa to avoid any inconvenience or long wait at airports.