Saudi Arabia has expanded its e-visa program to include more countries, making it easier for people from around the world to visit. Travelers from 63 countries can now apply for e-visas for tourism, business, and religious purposes. Permanent residents of the EU, GCC countries, the UK, and the US can also apply for e-visas.
Saudi Arabia is also offering a free 96-hour Stopover Visa for passengers traveling through Saudia and Flynas, allowing them to spend up to 96 hours in the country before continuing their journey.
These steps are part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to boost the economy by focusing on tourism. The goal is to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP from 3% to over 10% and create one million jobs in the Saudi tourism sector.
The e-visa program was introduced in 2019 to encourage tourists to explore Saudi Arabia’s attractions and experience its rich culture and traditions. The Ministry of Tourism plans to add more countries to the e-visa list while improving the country’s tourism infrastructure.
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