Saudi Arabia expands e-visa issuance to eight countries.

Since the implementation of the e-visa program in 2019, the number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia in 2022 increased by 93% compared to 2021, reaching an estimated 93.5 million people.

(Illustrative image: Source: AFP/VNA)

On August 6th, Saudi Arabia announced its decision to expand the issuance of electronic visas ( e-visas ) to tourists from eight more countries.

Specifically, citizens of eight countries—Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, South Africa, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—can apply for an e-visa to enter Saudi Arabia for tourism, business, and religious purposes (including participation in the minor Umrah pilgrimage).

This is a one-year visa that allows multiple entries and exits, with a maximum stay of 90 days.

Since the launch of the e-visa program in 2019, the number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia in 2022 increased by 93% compared to 2021, reaching an estimated 93.5 million people with spending of 185 billion riyal (US$49 billion).

Currently, 57 countries are eligible to apply for e -visas to Saudi Arabia. Most recently, in 2022, the country granted e-visas to travelers holding valid US, UK, and Schengen visas who had previously entered the visa-issuing country once before traveling to Saudi Arabia, as well as permanent residents of the US, UK, European Union (EU), and Gulf Arab states.

In early 2023, Saudi Arabia also launched the "96-hour Stopover Visa" program, allowing travelers to take advantage of their transit time to visit the country for up to 96 hours.

Mai Nguyen (VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/saudi-arabia-mo-rong-cap-thi-thuc-dien-tu-cho-8-quoc-gia-158494.html