Visitors traveling through Saudi Arabia can now get a free visa stop and even a free hotel.
The new Saudi stopover visa will allow passengers to stay in the country for up to 96 hours to explore the unparalleled historical, cultural and spiritual sites of Saudi Arabia.
The new Saudi Arabia visa ban is open to passport holders of more countries than the tourist eVisa.
It is the latest move to promote tourism and make the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia more accessible.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism (MT), the Ministry of Interior (MIB), the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU), the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), SAUDI and Flynas, has announced the release of a new Stopover Visa.
In the first quarter of this year, airline capacity in Saudi Arabia is expected to increase by over 65% compared to the same period in 2022, when four of the top ten busiest international routes were to or from Saudi Arabia.
Travelers will also be able to use the Stopover Visa to perform the spiritual ritual of Umrah. Spiritual travelers can book flights through SAUDIA and Flynas, but must also register for Umrah through the Nusuk platform.
Stopover visa holders will be eligible for a free one-night hotel stay during the stopover when booking through SAUDIA.
To help visitors make the most of their layover, bespoke 24-, 48-, 72- and 96-hour itineraries have been developed to inspire visitors to stroll through Jeddah’s Al-Balad, or visit the Al-Turaif district in Diriyah, one of six Saudi UNESCO sites. World Heritage Sites.
Visitors can also use the Stopover Visa to stop on long-haul flights or book a bonus trip to experience Saudi Arabia’s growing calendar of entertainment and seasonal events or even extend a business trip en route to their destination. their final
The Stopover Visa application will be automatically available through airline booking platforms for all passengers traveling to their final destination on SAUDIA or flynas airlines. A stopover can be made through any airport in Saudi. For many people, the application process can be completed in less than three minutes and can be applied up to 90 days before travel.
The visa ban provides another flexible option for visitors to experience the authentic home of Arabia and will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s vision to reach 100 million visits per year by 2030.
His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Tourism Authoritysaid:
“The new Stopover visa is another proof point in Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing and encouraging growth in the tourism sector.”
“It is open to travelers passing through Saudi Arabia on our national carriers whether for leisure, business or Umrah. We will continue to work together across the government and tourism ecosystem as Saudi Arabia transforms itself into a leading global tourism destination.”
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Board Member at the Saudi Tourism Authoritysaid:
“Today’s announcement of the inaugural Saudi Arabia Stopover Visa is a historic example of integrated public and private sector collaboration. Four of the top ten global airlines were in or out of Saudi airports in 2022, a testament to the Saudi destination’s appeal.
Saudi is committed to a seamless visitor experience. In partnership with our national airlines, SAUDIA and Flynas, we are using digital platforms to offer an instant stopover visa, which only enhances Saudi’s accessibility and our world-class destination offering.”
The first of its kind, Saudi Arabia visa ban available to the World
,Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of Saudiasaid:
“The launch of this innovative and seamless Stopover Visa is the first of its kind in the aviation industry and an important milestone in our digital transformation programme. It is a testament to SAUDIA’s commitment to support the Kingdom’s strategic objective of reaching 100 million visits by 2030, and we are confident that it will positively impact the growth of transit passengers by enhancing our position as a hub that connects the East with the West. The new service will also encourage passengers to perform Umrah, visit major destinations and participate in Saudi events and seasons.
Bandar Almohanna, CEO and Managing Director of flynassaid:
