Saudi Arabia has expanded its e-visit visa regime to include three new countries, namely the Bahamas, Barbados, and Grenada. This move brings the total number of countries eligible for electronic visit visas to 66. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Tourism, made this announcement as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance the tourist experience for visitors from around the world.
Citizens of the newly added countries will be able to obtain a multiple reentry e-visit visa with a validity of one year. During this period, they can stay in the Kingdom for a maximum of three months. The electronic visas will be issued instantly through the Digital Saudi Embassy’s unified visa national platform. Alternatively, visitors from these countries can apply for a visit visa upon arrival at any of the Kingdom’s international ports for purposes such as tourism, Umrah, business, and visiting relatives and friends.
It is important for visa holders to adhere to the specified duration of stay and leave the country before the visa expires to avoid penalties. Renewal of the visit visa is not possible until after its expiry. Additionally, the visit visa does not allow holders to work for payment or perform Umrah rituals during the Hajj season. More information regarding the e-visit visa regime, including eligible countries, terms and conditions for obtaining the visa, can be found on the website visitsaudi.com.
With the addition of the Bahamas, Barbados, and Grenada, the number of countries covered under the e-visit visa regime has increased to 66. This expansion follows a previous announcement in October 2023, where the Ministry of Tourism revealed that visitors from six countries, including Turkiye, Thailand, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, and Mauritius, would also be eligible for e-visas. Furthermore, holders of valid Schengen, UK, and US visas used to enter those countries before arriving in Saudi Arabia, as well as permanent residents of EU, GCC countries, the UK, and the US, can also apply for visitor e-visas.
