Saudi Arabia To Issue Free Four-day Visa Service For Transit Passengers
According to Al Arabiya, Saudi Arabia has introduced a new free transit visa allowing stopover passengers to stay in the Kingdom for up to four days. This new transit visa system came into effect on Monday, and visitors can apply through the Saudia Airlines and Flynas websites, and the visa will be processed immediately. The visa is free of charge, will be immediately issued with the traveller’s ticket and entitles the holder up to 96 hours in the Kingdom with up to three-month validity.
This service aims to boost tourism which is a part of the Vision 2030 strategy. The Saudi ministry told Arab News that the e-Transit visa for stopovers will bolster its position and benefit from its distinguished strategic location as a link between continents as well as reaching 100 million visits annually.
In a statement to Al Arabiya, the Saudi Tourism CEO Fahd Hamidaddin said that, “today’s announcement of Saudi’s inaugural Stopover Visa is a landmark example of integrated public and private sector cooperation.” Hamidaddin then expressed that four of the Top Ten global routes were in or out of Saudi airports in 2022, which is a testament to the appeal of destination Saudi.”
This new service is believed to encourage visits, performing of the Islamic Umrah and increase tourism in Saudi.
