Online Application Process for Saudi Arabia tourist visa
As a means to make tourism in Saudi Arabia more accessible and speed up visa procedures, the government has introduced the new Saudi Arabia electronic visa (eVisa), permitting eligible travelers to enter the country.
Who needs a Saudi Arabia eVisa?
Citizens of eligible countries can now apply for a Saudi Arabia electronic visa. This new system has been a turning point for Saudi Arabia, a country known for its bureaucratic travel policies.
Instead of going to a consulate or embassy, travelers who wish to visit Saudi Arabia need only a few minutes to complete the application for a Saudi eVisa online. Once submitted and approved, applicants will receive the electronic Saudi Arabia visa by email.
Besides citizens of Bahrain, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, who are exempt from visas when traveling to Saudi Arabia, all other travelers will be required to bear a valid Saudi eVisa when visiting the country on tourism.
Before the introduction of the Saudi online visa, foreign travelers who weren’t visa-exempt were required to apply for a visa by making an appointment at the nearest Saudi Arabian consulate or embassy. Also, there wasn’t an actual tourist visa for Saudi Arabia before the launch of the Saudi electronic visa.
With the new eVisa Saudi Arabia, visitors from several eligible nations, including the United States, are granted authorization to travel in the country simply by undergoing a quick and easy online application process.
The definitive list of countries eligible for an electronic Saudi visa is yet to be finalized, but for the moment the government of Saudi Arabia has announced that citizens of the following countries are part of the eVisa scheme:
Besides making sure that the online application has been completed accurately, candidates will have to meet certain basic requirements before being granted a Saudi eVisa.
Visit Saudi Arabia with an electronic visa
Saudi Arabia has always been a very difficult country to visit. Hence, the introduction of the new electronic visa is a turning point in the country’s history, starting a new chapter in Saudi Arabian tourism. Being the cradle of Islam, Saudi Arabia is a culturally rich nation and boasts an array of castles, museums, and mosques for travelers to visit.
The Saudi Arabia eVisa can be requested in a matter of minutes by filling an online application form with personal and travel information. Once processed and approved, the electronic visa will be sent to the email address provided upon application. A copy of the eVisa should be printed and presented to border authorities upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.