PR95174

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 25, 2022, /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- Returns Saudi to pre-pandemic levels of openness

- Visa-on-arrival available for citizens of countries eligible for e-visa

- No proof of vaccination or PCR test required for entry  

- Quarantine requirement eliminated

The Saudi Arabian government has reopened the visa-on-arrival program for

holders of valid visas for the US, UK and Schengen area, effective immediately.

The move comes two weeks after the country lifted all COVID-related entry

restrictions and returns Saudi to pre-pandemic levels of openness.

Citizens of any country who hold one of the three visas and who are travelling

on one of the country's national carriers – Saudi, Flynas or Flyadeal – can now

receive a 12-month tourism visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia without needing to

apply in advance.

Visitors holding a valid US, UK or Schengen visa must have used it at least

once to enter the issuing country or region in order to qualify for a visa on

arrival in Saudi. Visitors will also need to purchase COVID-19 insurance, which

they can do at any of Saudi Arabia's international airports.

Citizens of any country eligible for the e-visa program, which was introduced

in 2019, may also receive a visa on arrival, regardless of the airline they are

travelling with.

"Restoring the visa-on-arrival program marks the final step in returning Saudi

to a pre-pandemic level of openness and makes it one of the most accessible

destinations in the world for leisure, business and religious travel," said His

Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi

Arabia and Chairman of STA. "This decision by the government will further

support the many thousands of people who depend on tourism for their

livelihoods while welcoming the world back to the destination with the warm

hospitality for which the Saudi people are renowned."

On March 6, Saudi Arabia announced the lifting of all travel restrictions put

in place to protect people from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Visitors to Saudi no longer need to present proof of vaccination or a PCR test

to enter the country. The red list of countries not allowed entry has been

discontinued. Institutional quarantine requirements have been entirely removed,

and social distancing rules have been lifted. Masks are required in enclosed

public places only.

Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to close its borders following the

emergence of COVID-19. Since then, the government has implemented stringent

health and safety protocols at all public venues, including hotels,

restaurants, public buildings and offices.

Saudi opened to international leisure travelers in September 2019, less than

six months before its borders were closed due to the pandemic. The country

shifted its tourism strategy to focus on building domestic visitation, opening

11 destination and creating more than 270 tourism packages. As a result, Saudi

recorded two successive years of growth in leisure travel without seeing a

concomitant surge in COVID cases.

"Saudi has emerged from the pandemic with a burgeoning leisure and

entertainment sector that includes some of the largest events in the world as

well as a compelling cultural tourism offer and an increasing number of local

companies dedicated to tourism," said His Excellency Al Khateeb. "We look

forward to welcoming visitors from around the world eager to explore the

authentic home of Arabia."

About Saudi Tourism Authority

Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), launched in June 2020, is responsible for

marketing Saudi's tourism destinations worldwide and developing the

destination's offering through programs, packages and business support. Its

mandate includes developing the country's unique assets and destinations,

hosting and participating in industry events, and promoting Saudi's tourism

brand locally and overseas. The STA operates 16 representative offices around

the world, serving 38 countries.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1773973/Tourists_in_AlUla_Saudi_Arabia.jpg

SOURCE: Saudi Tourism Authority