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As announced by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, all residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are now eligible for the Saudi tourist e-visa, regardless of their profession.
Previously, expats living in the GCC region were only allowed to obtain the Saudi e-visa if they belonged to specific occupations on the approved list, such as managerial roles, medical professionals, IT jobs, technicians, and those working in STEM fields.
#SaudiArabia visa application is now simpler, more convenient and straightforward for residents of GCC states, regardless of their profession. Apply now https://t.co/wyvezLCitl pic.twitter.com/GrzwhpzrE5
— Ahmed Al Khateeb أحمد الخطيب (@AhmedAlKhateeb) March 9, 2023
This is just one of the recent visa reforms that Saudi Arabia has introduced to attract more international tourists to the country. In addition to tourism purposes, the Saudi e-visa also allows for Umrah visits, except during the Hajj season, and for added convenience, both single-entry and multiple-entry e-visas are available.
To apply for the Saudi e-Visa, GCC residents can visit the Visit Saudi platform and complete the following steps:
- fill out the necessary information
- upload the required documents, which include a GCC residency document with a validity of at least 3 months and a passport with a validity of at least 6 months
- pay the applicable fees of SAR 300 plus health insurance
- submit the application
Once approved, the e-visa will be sent to the applicant by email. This is the latest visa reform introduced by Saudi Arabia to make its visa system simpler and more convenient for GCC travelers and international visitors in general.
