DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has introduced one-year multiple entry visit visas for Pakistanis, Indians and all other applicants who have a valid UK,US or Schengen visa stamped on their passports.
The new multiple-visa will be valid for a year and the visitors will be able to perform Umrah, however, not Hajj.
Visitors can receive visa on arrival at any international airport in Saudi Arabia but they are required to have a credit card for paying the fee amounting to SR440 (Dh431) as cash is not accepted. They will be allowed to stay for 90 days and are allowed to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as much as they want during the validity period of their visa.
“It was an amazing experience when I visited Saudi Arabia last week,” said Ahmed Qureshi who went for Umrah with his family and flew to King Abdul Aziz International Aiport in Jeddah.
“I paid fee at the immigration counter using my credit card and now all my family members have multiple visit visas valid for one year. It took just 15 minutes to complete the procedure,” he explained.
A reservation agent told local media sources in Dubai that this service began last month.
“Anyone who has a valid UK, US or Schengen visa can obtain visit visa to Saudi Arabia on arrival. However, visa is issued to only those applicants who have used their US, UK or Schengen visa for at least once. You will not be given visa on arrival if you have US, UK or Schegen visa stamped on your passport but have never used it,” she explained.
In order to get the visa on arrival, visitors will have to travel under the condition that they will use one of the Saudi-based airlines. This condition is compulsory for first time visitors.
Repeat visitors who hold Saudi visit visa are allowed to use any airline.
