Saudi Arabia Introduces E-Visa and Visa-on-Arrival for Citizens of Four Countries

Saudi Arabia has introduced instant tourist e-visas and visa-on-arrival facilities for citizens of four countries: Mexico, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia.

The announcement was jointly made by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Tourism.

Arab News reported the development on Saturday (November 7).

Under the new rules, citizens of these four countries no longer need to visit a Saudi embassy to apply for a visa. They can apply online for multiple-entry tourist e-visas using their national passports. They can also obtain visas on arrival at any entry point into Saudi Arabia.

The new visa facilities will allow visitors to perform Umrah, attend events, exhibitions and conferences, and visit relatives and friends living in Saudi Arabia.

Mexico’s Chargé d’Affaires to Saudi Arabia, Guillermo Gutierrez, told Arab News, “For Mexico, this opens the door to a promising destination for tourists, Umrah pilgrims, professionals and students. It will also strengthen ties with Mexican expatriates living in the Gulf region.”

Alongside the new facilities, the Saudi Ministry of Tourism has introduced several conditions. Visitors must leave the country within the period specified on their visas. Overstaying may result in fines, and visas cannot be renewed before their expiry.

For multiple-entry visas, the permitted length of stay will be calculated cumulatively across multiple visits.

Visitors are not allowed to undertake any paid employment under these visas.

Although the visa allows holders to perform Umrah, it cannot be used for Umrah during the official Hajj season.

The new visa arrangements are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to expand its tourism sector and attract more international tourists and visitors.

Source: Arab News