With recording 93.5 million tourist visits in the year 2022, Saudi Arabia stands to be one of the most attractive and captivating tourist destinations in the world. The recent initiative of E-visa services for Indian travelers is expected to usher in an exciting era of digital transformation in the country.
To enhance its tourism sector and move forward in achieving this goal, a Saudi instant e-visa has been launched. The Saudi government has begun the e-visa program for Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi new visa rules apply to two categories of travelers-
- The visitors holding UK, US, and Schengen visas
- All permanent residents of the UK, US, and any EU country
When a traveler decides to travel to a country, the simplicity and complexity of the visa application process can go a long way in deciding on visiting or not.
The new instant e-visa program instills a great degree of simplification in the visa application process. All eligible visitors can now effortlessly obtain tourist e-visas from the official website.
With the era of the fourth industrial revolution, the way countries aim to take initiatives in the sphere of their soft power is crucial and effective in the long run. This is where Saudi Arabia attains an edge.
What are the Saudi New Visa Rules ?
Traditional visa methods no more! Saudi Arabia is fostering growth with a new change. The country eases its norms of e-visa processing by providing a simple method, which is quick. It gives you a chance to explore the rich heritage, vibrant culture, and diverse and breathtaking landscapes of the country.
Duration of E-visa will be a one-year, and it will allow multiple-entries in the country. Moreover, the visitors can stay for a period of 90 days.
It should be noted that the tourist e-visa allows one to explore tourist attractions but is not valid for going on the pilgrimage hajj.
Saudi Arabia’s Tourism: Now and Then
From the finely designed architecture to historic neighborhoods and various religious sites, Saudi Arabia earns a significant share of its GDP from the tourism industry. The options to explore in Saudi Arabia are numerous, extending from multi-day tours to historic tours to private sightseeing as well.
The total tourism expenditure of Saudi Arabia had been $49.33bln in 2022, which is a 93% increase when compared to the previous year, says the Tourism Minister.
The Vision 2030 of building a vibrant society and a thriving economy has officially begun with limitless possibilities. To begin with, the country targets to capture 100 million visitors annually which is perhaps a significant milestone that the authorities have taken.
What are the documents required?
Let’s have a brief look at the basic documents one needs when applying for Saudi Arabia Tourist E-Visa.
1. Valid passport
Your passport must have a minimum validity of six months beyond the departure date from Saudi Arabia. In addition, two blank pages for visa stamping should be there.
2. Completed application form
You must fill out an application form accurately and be careful to not miss any columns.
3. Two passport-size photographs
One also needs to provide a recent passport-size photograph.
4. Flight itinerary
One should also provide a copy of your confirmed round-trip flight itinerary. It should have a detailed travel plan as well as entry and exit dates.
6. Travel health insurance
Travel health insurance is not mandatory, however, it is highly advisable. It is recommended to have a medical insurance policy that covers medical expenses and emergencies during your time in Saudi Arabia.
7. Residency status
When one applies for the Saudi Arabia Tourist eVisa from a different country than the home country where he/she has citizenship, then must proof of legal residency status is necessary.
Financial Requirements
Talking about the financial requirements for Saudi Arabia Tourist eVisa, we see that there are not any specific ones.
Please note that the Saudi Arabian authorities may request additional documents or information as considered necessary during the visa application process.
However, it is mostly expected that travelers have a sufficient budget so that they are properly able to cover their expenses during their stay.
How the QR regime benefits the e-visa process?
In early May of this year, the Saudi Arabia government took another step of issuing Saudi Arabia electronic visas with ‘QR Codes’. This highly simplifies the overall process.
It was stated that people who intend to visit the country, maybe to visit friends who are Saudi citizens, can avail of e-visa services through the official website. The visa is valid for 90 days, allowing visitors to travel throughout the kingdom, including offering prayers in the holy cities and making Umrah.
The benefit of QR Codes in e visa for Saudi Arabia extends to countries like
- India
- Bangladesh
- UAE
- Jordan
- Egypt
- Philippines
- Indonesia
This helps in simplifying the process of obtaining an e-visa for Saudi Arabia and moreover help you get a Saudi Arabia instant visa for a seamless trip!
Book your Saudi Arabia Visa with Visa2Fly
At Visa2Fly, we work forward to make your visa application process convenient and simple for you. Our team of experts are there to guide you 24*7. From filling out the application form to delivering your visa at your doorstep, we ease it all. Moreover, we provide various other services like booking flight tickets, accommodation, travel insurance and more.
For more information, visit our Instagram handle and explore further. You can also visit our website, and contact us right away.