Citizens of 49 countries are now entitled to apply for the visa at Saudi embassies and consulates around the world. Applications for e-visas can be made online and visas on arrival are issued at the airport on entering the country. It is also expected that the list of the 'e-visa countries' will be soon extended.
Here is the full list of 49 countries the nationals of which can apply for an e-visa right away:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China (including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA and Ukraine.
The tourist visa is valid for one year and allows multiple entries with a stay up to 3 months per entry but not exceeding 90 days per year in Saudi Arabia.
It is the first time the Saudi Arabia opens for tourists. Opening Saudi Arabia to tourism is a key step in the implementation of Vision 2030, a governmental program targeting at diversification of the country's economy and reducing its dependence on oil.
Saudi Arabia Launches Multi-Entry One Year Tourist E-Visas
News in Asia
In a bid to encourage tourism, Saudi Arabia is now offering tourist e-Visas and Visas on arrival to travellers visiting the country with tourism purposes.