Shortly after the Saudi Arabian government lifted all Covid-related entry restrictions, the visa-on-arrival facility for valid visa holders of the US, UK and Schengen area has been reopened. On March 6, Saudi Arabia had lifted all Covid-related entry restrictions.
What are the travel relaxations?
- Visa-on-arrival available for citizens of countries eligible for e-visa
- No proof of vaccination or PCR test is required for entry
- Quarantine requirement removed
Saudi Arabia’s visa on arrival rules
Citizens of any country holding one of the three visas- the US, UK and Schengen- who are travelling on the country’s national carriers – Saudi, Flynas or Flyadeal – are entitled to a 12-month tourism visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia.
The visitors holding a valid US, UK or Schengen visa must have used it at least once to enter the issuing country or region to qualify for a visa on arrival in Saudi.
The visitors will also need to purchase Covid-19 insurance, which they can do at any of Saudi Arabia’s international airports. Covid-19 insurance is automatically given upon receiving the e-visa online. The insurance will be given within the same payment for those getting the visa on arrival.
Citizens of any country eligible for the e-visa programme introduced in 2019 may also receive a visa on arrival, regardless of the airline they are travelling with.
“Restoring the visa-on-arrival programme 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,” Al-Khateeb added.
