The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has recently announced the launch of new instant e-visa options, aimed at facilitating tourism for visitors from the UK, US, and Schengen countries. Starting today, holders of UK, US, and Schengen visas, as well as permanent residents of the UK, US, and any EU country, can easily obtain tourist e-visas to visit Saudi Arabia through the official website www.mofa.gov.sa.
This move is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to make it more convenient for travelers to explore the authentic beauty of the country and contribute to its ambitious goal of attracting 100 million annual visits by 2030. Since opening its doors to tourism in 2019, Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the fastest-growing tourism markets worldwide, welcoming a remarkable 93.5 million visits in 2022.
The Saudi Tourism Authority is actively working to enhance accessibility and connectivity for visitors from around the world. Through digital transformation, Saudi Arabia is streamlining entry processes, ensuring a seamless travel experience, and enabling travelers to appreciate the country’s natural wonders and cultural diversity.
The instant e-visa option is one of several initiatives launched by the Kingdom to improve the overall visitor experience. In 2022, the Saudi Tourism Authority introduced the Nusuk platform, a user-friendly digital planning gateway developed in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program. This platform assists pilgrims and visitors in planning their journeys to Makkah, Madinah, and other destinations within Saudi Arabia.
To further facilitate travel, Saudi Arabia had previously extended visa-on-arrival services to individuals holding valid US, UK, and Schengen visas, as well as permanent residents of the UK, US, and any EU country. Additionally, e-visa eligibility was expanded to residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Earlier this year, the Kingdom also unveiled the Stopover Visa, a free-of-charge option available to passengers flying with SAUDIA and flynas. This visa allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 96 hours and is open to an even larger number of countries compared to the previous tourism e-visa.
Saudi Arabia offers a wealth of undiscovered destinations with a rich cultural heritage. In Diriyah, the birthplace of Saudi Arabia, visitors can indulge in luxury shopping and fine dining at Bujairi Terrace. The UNESCO World Heritage site in AlUla presents a living museum, showcasing over 200,000 years of human history. In Jeddah, tourists can explore the historic district of Al Balad. Moreover, the highly anticipated Red Sea Development, the world’s most ambitious luxury tourism destination, set to debut its first hotels this year, including renowned brands such as Six Senses, St. Regis, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
Saudi Arabia invites travelers to discover its captivating charm and embrace the countless treasures it has to offer. With improved visa options and a commitment to providing exceptional experiences, the Kingdom poised to become a top destination for global explorers.
