RIYADH: State media reported that Saudi Arabia has recently announced an extension of its visitor e-visa program to citizens of eight more countries.

The e-visa will now be accessible to visitors from Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, South Africa, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. This expansion covers leisure, business, and religious travel (Umrah only), increasing the total number of eligible countries to 57, as cited by international media.

The visitor e-visa boasts a year-long validity, allowing multiple entries, and permitting stays of up to 90 days.

Since the inception of the e-visa program in 2019, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a remarkable surge in tourism, welcoming a staggering 93.5 million visits in 2022, signifying a remarkable 93-percent increase from the previous year. These visitors contributed a total tourism expenditure of 185 billion Saudi Riyals ($49 billion).

In 2022, Saudi Arabia introduced the visitor e-visa option for travelers holding valid Schengen, British, and US visas, which were used to enter these countries before arriving in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, this facility was extended to permanent residents of the European Union, Gulf Arab countries, Britain, and the US.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia also introduced the 96-hour Stopover Visa, allowing passengers to enjoy a short stay of up to 96 hours in the country.

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