Saudi Arabia Introduces Visa Free Scheme

The Saudi Arabian government has introduced a new e-visa waiver program, effective from Thursday, targeting all citizens from the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland. Under this initiative, individuals from these countries can enter Saudi Arabia once without needing a visa for a maximum stay of six months. However, applicants must submit a waiver application between three months to a minimum of 48 hours before their intended entry into the country.

The process to apply for the waiver is straightforward, requiring travelers to visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and provide necessary details. The main objective of this scheme is to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the UK by encouraging travel for various purposes, such as healthcare, education, tourism, and business.

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In addition, the Saudi Foreign Ministry has also launched electronic visas (e-visas) for twelve countries, including Pakistan, to facilitate easier visits to Saudi Arabia for nationals of these nations. The General Aviation Authority (GACA) officially announced the implementation of a new e-visa issuance system that employs QR codes.

The system is now operational in 12 Saudi embassies, including those in Pakistan, Turkey, Morocco, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Philippines, Indonesia, and Egypt.