Saudi Arabia back to pre-pandemic visa norms

Visa on arrival for US, UK and Schengen visa holders
2022-03-28
/
/ New Delhi
Saudi Arabia back to pre-pandemic visa norms

Saudi Arabia is targetting tourism for numerous segments including adventure (Photo/Saudi Tourism Authority)

In another move to boost arrivals of tourists from across the world into the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia has further eased visa requirements for tourists by re-introducing visa on arrival for holders of visas of Schengen, United Kingdom and United States.
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Two weeks after it removed all entry restrictions related to Covid-19, the Saudi Arabian government has reopened the visa-on-arrival program for holders of valid visas for the United States, United Kingdom and the Schengen area with immediate effect. This takes the country’s openness to tourism back at the level prevailing before the pandemic.

According to a press communique issued by Saudi Arabia Tourism, citizens of any country who hold one of the three visas and who are travelling on one of the country’s national carriers – Saudi, Flynas or Flyadeal – can now receive a 12-month tourism visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia without needing to apply in advance.

The press communique goes on to say that visitors holding a valid US, UK or Schengen visa must have used it at least once to enter the issuing country or region in order to qualify for a visa on arrival in Saudi. Visitors will also need to purchase Covid-19 insurance, which they can do at any of Saudi Arabia’s international airports. Citizens of any country eligible for the e-visa program, which was introduced in 2019, may also receive a visa on arrival, regardless of the airline they are travelling with.

“Restoring the visa-on-arrival program marks the final step in returning Saudi to a pre-pandemic level of openness and makes it one of the most accessible destinations in the world for leisure, business and religious travel,” says Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of Saudi Tourism Authority. “This decision by the government will further support the many thousands of people who depend on tourism for their livelihoods while welcoming the world back to the destination with the warm hospitality for which the Saudi people are renowned,” adds Al Khateeb.

On March 6, Saudi Arabia had announced the lifting of all travel restrictions put in place to protect people from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Visitors to Saudi no longer need to present proof of vaccination or a PCR test to enter the country. The red list of countries not allowed entry has also been discontinued. Institutional quarantine requirements have been entirely removed, and social distancing rules have been lifted. Masks are required in enclosed public places only.

Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to close its borders following the emergence of Covid-19. Since then, the government has implemented stringent health and safety protocols at all public venues, including hotels, restaurants, public buildings and offices.

Saudi opened to international leisure travellers in September 2019, less than six months before its borders were closed due to the pandemic. The country shifted its tourism strategy to focus on building domestic visitation, opening 11 destinations and creating more than 270 tourism packages. As a result, Saudi recorded two successive years of growth in leisure travel without seeing a concomitant surge in Covid-19 cases.

“Saudi has emerged from the pandemic with a burgeoning leisure and entertainment sector that includes some of the largest events in the world as well as a compelling cultural tourism offer and an increasing number of local companies dedicated to tourism,” says Al Khateeb, adding, “we look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world eager to explore the authentic home of Arabia.”

Launched in June 2020, Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) is responsible for marketing Saudi Arabia’s tourism destinations worldwide and developing the Kingdom’s offering through programs, packages and business support. Its mandate ranges from developing the country’s unique assets and destinations, through to hosting and participating in industry events, and promoting Saudi Arabia’s tourism brand locally and overseas.

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