In line with Vision 2030, to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil revenue, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) announced the launch of a tourist visa program. This is a key step towards economic and social reform. According to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), tourist visas will be issued starting on September 28, 2019 on a one-year, multiple-entry basis, allowing tourists to spend up to 90 days in the country.

Citizens from 49 countries will also be able to apply for an e-visa or receive a visa on arrival into Saudi Arabia. A dedicated online portal at visitsaudi.com was also launched and electronic kiosks are set to be available at airports to facilitate requests. The Saudi Arabian tourist visa can be obtained online in advance of travel at a cost of 440SAR, which is £95 or $117 at current rates, and also at kiosks upon landing, which eliminates the need of a visa in advance of flight.

Earlier, the work visit and Hajj visas were the main non-immigrant visa options for travel to KSA. Most visits to Saudi Arabia have been on a work visit visa, which requires a legitimate business purpose and, in most cases, a letter of support from a business in the Kingdom. Citizens from the few visa-exempt countries—most recently, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the UAE—can continue to enter the KSA by using a national ID card instead of a passport.

Saudi Arabia intends to extend the e-visa scheme to other countries in the coming months.