KSA expands the Visitors e-Visa to six more countries

5 November 2023 - As part of the e-visa program, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) recently expanded the list of countries that are eligible to apply for either a Visitor e-Visa electronically or a visa on arrival into the Kingdom.

Effective from 17 October, nationals of countries including Mauritius, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Thailand, and Turkey, are also eligible to apply for a Visitor e-Visa for tourism, attending conferences and exhibitions, visiting family and friends or religious (Umrah only, however not valid during the Hajj season) travel, bringing the total number of countries granted visitor e-visa to 63.

A Visitor e-Visa is also provided to holders of valid Schengen, United Kingdom (UK), and United States (US) visas that have been used to enter those countries before arriving in the Kingdom, and to permanent residents of the European Union (EU) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the UK, and the US.

Nationals of these countries can apply for a Visitor e-Visa to the Kingdom via the official e-visa portal or upon their arrival at one of the Kingdom’s ports of entry. The Visitor e-Visa is a multi-entry visa, valid for a period of a year, and allows for a stay of up to 90 days. The visa can be renewed only upon expiry.

For more information, please visit: The Saudi Press Agency

Deloitte’s view

The decision by the MoT to expand the list by an additional six countries, brings the total number up to 63 countries that are eligible to apply for a Visitor e-Visa. 

This decision aims to streamline the process of obtaining visas for tourism, attending conferences and exhibitions, visiting family and friends, or religious travel for these countries. 

Consequently, this move is expected to also boost tourism and increase the number of visitors to the Kingdom.