Jeddah: Saudi Arabia has restored its visa on arrival programme, allowing valid visa holders from the US, UK and Schengen area to enter the country, Arab News reported.
The announcement comes after Saudi lifting all pandemic related restrictions two weeks ago.
The countries whose nationals holding UK, US or Schengen visas are allowed to enter Saudi on a tourist visa on arrival are the US, Canada, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Ukraine, the UK, Switzerland, San Marino, Spain, Brunei, China (including Hong Kong and Macao), Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Nationals from these countries have one of the three visas, and travelling through airlines of Saudia, Flynas, and Flyadeal can secure a 12-month tourist visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia. They do not need to apply in advance.
Further, holders of visas to the US, UK or Schengen area must enter the area where the visa was issued at least once, using the visa, before entering Saudi.
Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb said that the Kingdom would promote speedy growth in the tourism sector, providing job and investment opportunities.
The visa upon arrival programme was launched in 2019.