Saudi missions overseas are all set for a major surge of online applications related to tourist visas as the new system becomes fully operational.
By now, 9,000 one-off e-visas have been sanctioned for visitors to take part in the four recent events in the Kingdom — Formula E motor racing, the Italian Super Cup football match in Jeddah, the King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival, and the Winter at Tantora festival in Al-Ula.
“There is a huge demand for tourism, especially from the US, European countries and Japan,” Khalid Al-Kahtani, a counselor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ visa department, informed the Arab News.
As part of proposals to make the country a global tourist hub organizing international attractions, the government has taken up new technologies that will permit the embassies and consulates to issue electronic visas within 24 hours of receiving a request. Saudi missions abroad were targeting to become the quickest for turning around applications in the world, Al-Kahtani said.
He explained that women from abroad were free to visit without male guardian escorting her.
Under the upgrade of the visa, the Saudi General Investment Authority, General Sports Authority and General Entertainment Authority will offer the Foreign Ministry and state security with details of events at least two months before the inclusion on the visa system.
