Saudi Arabia has adopted visa-on-arrival for Pakistanis and other citizens holding valid UK, US, or Schengen visas on their passports.
Tourists will be eligible to perform Umrah but not Hajj under the newly introduced facility.
According to Gulf News on Monday, applicants can obtain multiple entry visit visas on arrival at any international airport in Saudi Arabia by paying a fee of SR440 (about Rs18,040) by credit card, as cash transactions are not permitted.
The move was appreciated by Pakistan as “a gesture of the two countries’ strong bilateral ties.”
“We applaud the Saudi government’s decision to award Pakistanis visit visas on arrival, allowing them to do Umrah,” said Imran Siddiqui, a spokesman for the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Visitors can enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia many times throughout the validity period of their visit visa because they are allowed to remain for 90 days at a time.
One of the requirements for obtaining a visit visa on arrival is that tourists travel on a Saudi-based airline such as Saudi Airlines, Flynas, or Flydeal. Only first-time visitors are required to do so.
The new visa service, according to a reservation agent at Saudi Airlines in Dubai, began last month.
“Anyone with a valid UK, US, or Schengen visa can get a Saudi Arabia visit visa on arrival.” Only those candidates who have used their US, UK, or Schengen visa at least once are granted a visa. If you have a US, UK, or Schegen visa stamps on your passport but have never used it, you will not be granted a visa on arrival,”.
- Misleading Video Alters Prime Minister Shehbaz’s Speech Targeting Political Rival, Not His Party - 21/04/2024
- ATC Grants Three-Day Remand for Suspects in Ichhra Bazaar Harassment Case - 19/03/2024
- Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh Lead World in Severe Smog Crisis, Exceeding WHO Guidelines - 19/03/2024
