Visa-Free Access to Saudi Tourism Sites to be Issued Soon
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is doing a lot to achieve its goal set to achieve the Saudi Vision 2030. One of the diversification in its policies is the plan to issue the Visa-free access to Saudi tourism sites. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has recently shared its plan publicly to make its tourism sites completely open and to provide visa-free access to its visitors only from the countries like USA, EUROPE, JAPAN, and CHINA. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia either will offer no visa policy or the visa will be issued to the visitors from one of the above-mentioned countries on arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Recommended: Saudi Arabia to Offer Visa-Free Access to Overseas Visitors
Recent Announcement by SCTNH
According to the recent announcement shared by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH),
ANY WOMEN UNDER 25 YEARS OF AGE WILL NOT BE GRANTED A TOURIST VISA TO VISIT THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA. THE ONLY CASE WHERE THE WOMEN HAVING MORE THAN 25 YEARS OF AGE CAN GET THE TOURIST VISA IF THEY ARE PART OF A TOURIST GROUP WHICH MEANS THEY ARE VISITING THE KINGDOM ALONG WITH THE GROUP OF TOURISTS.
Conditions for Female Tourist
As mentioned above, the summary of the conditions in order to obtain a tourist visa for women are as follows:
- Women under 25 years of age must be accompanied by family members.
- Women above 25 years must be a part of a tourist group under a certified tourism agency.
- Tourists must respect local laws, customs, and traditions. Recommended: SCTH Announces Saudi Tourist Guides to Speak 11 Languages
Type and Duration of Female Tourist Visa
According to the Director General of the Commission’s Licensing Department,
THE TOURIST VISA WILL BE A SINGLE-ENTRY VISA, AND VALID FOR 30 DAYS MAXIMUM. IT IS INDEPENDENT OF WORK, VISIT, HAJJ AND UMRAH VISAS.
Different Ministries Making Female Tourist Visa Rules
The team of representatives from the ministries of interior and foreign affairs as well as the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) was formed to draft the rules and regulations for issuing tourist visas. The rules and regulations state that women under 25 years of age must be accompanied by the family members whereas, the women over the age of 25 years must be a part of tourist group which must be under a certified tourism agency in which case the tourist visa will be granted. Recommended: Procedure to Apply for Female Visit Visa of Saudi Arabia
Tourism Agencies Must be Licensed
The Tourism agency which is organizing the visit must be licensed by the relevant authority of its country. In the same way, the tour organizer operating inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must be licensed by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) as well.
The issue of Female Tourist Visa and Stay and Departure of Tourist
The Ministry will issue the tourist visas only when the dates, duration of stay and tourism program are clearly stated and mentioned properly. Read more: Procedure to Apply for Free Tourist Visa of Qatar from Pakistan
Tour Guide will Accompany the Tourists
The Tour organizers licensed by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) must properly welcome and receive the tourists, supervise and monitor their stay and departure and provide at least one tour guide from the Kingdom who speaks the language of the tourists.
If Tourist Goes Missing
In case, if a tourist goes missing for more than 24 hours, the tour guide must file a missing person’s report to the relevant authority for his immediate recovery.
Where Tourism Agency Cancels tour
If a tourism agency cancels a tour or leaves behind 100 or more people after visas have been issued, it will be reported to the ministries of interior and foreign affairs and it will be banned from organizing tourism packages to the Kingdom.
Latest Updates: You are most welcome to join our Whatsapp Group / Facebook to get the recent updates, news, and events of Saudi Arabia.
Source: Saudi Gazette
