Saudi Arabia has expanded its electronic visa scheme to visitors from the US, UK and EU countries to further encourage tourism.
The Kingdom said applications for the e-visa, available to all travellers with valid visas from eligible nations, could be applied for through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
It can be used by pilgrims planning to travel to the country to perform Umrah throughout the year. It is not available during the busy Hajj season.
The permit can also be used for tourism purposes, attending events, exhibitions and conferences.
“The Kingdom allows holders of visas of the United States, the European Union (Schengen) and the United Kingdom, and their residents, to issue a tourist visa electronically and immediately through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website,” the Saudi Tourism Authority said.
“Visitors can obtain the e-visa also for performing Umrah throughout the year, except for Al Hajj season.”
Saudi tourism drive – in pictures
Those applying for the e-visa must possess a valid passport, proof of residence or a valid Schengen, UK, or US visa.
The visa scheme will support The Kingdom's aims to cement its status as a leading touring attraction in the years ahead.
Saudi Arabia plans to add 315,000 new hotel rooms with an estimated development cost of $37.8 billion by 2030, as it continues to expand its hospitality, tourism and travel industries to diversify its economy away from oil.
The planned additions would take the total to about 450,000 hotel rooms, with projects such as the futuristic city of Neom leading the way.
The country recorded 93.5 million visits in 2022, the tourism authority said.
“This achievement is a result of the tremendous efforts of destinations across Saudi in providing visitors with exciting experiences and a seamless travel journey,” said the authority.
“Through digitisation, Saudi is increasing accessibility and connectivity, providing simplified entry routes to visitors, focused on enabling all travellers to enjoy our natural and cultural diversity.”
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a switch to electronic visas in May.
Starting with seven countries, e-visas will replace visa stickers on passports and make it possible to retrieve visitors' data using a QR Code.
Saudi missions in the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and the Philippines were able to be issued electronic visas under the scheme.
Saudi Arabia first issued e-visas in late 2019 to accommodate growing tourism.
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Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
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