Saudi Arabia launches e-visa program

According to a report by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Thursday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an initiative to issue electronic visas for some Saudi embassies abroad. The first phase includes countries such as the United Arab Emirates, India, Jordan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Egypt.

“It’s a high-risk job requiring professional skills, and personally, I think it’s worth it.

It is understood that this change is an automated procedure provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for issuing work, residence, and visit visas, and is also part of the upgrade of consular services.

Ambassador Cong pointed out that China has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. Chinese diplomatic and consular officials have always abided by relevant international conventions and the China-Canada Consular Agreement, performing their duties in accordance with the law.

In the first phase, this program has been implemented in the Saudi delegations to the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Saudi Arabia is currently seeking to reduce its dependence on oil, aiming to diversify its economy and attract more foreign tourists.Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister Ahmed al-Khateeb said in March that the number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia in January reached 2.4 million, surging to 2.5 million in February, and that Saudi Arabia’s goal for this year is to host 25 million foreign tourists.

In recent months, Saudi Arabia has introduced a series of facilities allowing Muslims holding various types of entry visas, such as individual visas, visit visas, and tourist visas, to directly visit the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (Prophet’s Mosque).

Saudi authorities have also extended the relevant visa duration from 30 days to 90 days and allow holders to choose entry into Saudi Arabia via land, air, or sea routes, and to exit from any airport.Saudi citizens can apply for visas to invite friends living abroad to visit Saudi Arabia.