KSA diversifies tourism attractions beyond religious trips

LAHORE: Saudi Arabia has eased access for Pakistani tourists with revised visa requirements, allowing tourism attractions beyond religious trips to certain places.

In a new initiative, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is one of the top international destinations for Pakistani travelers, has eased tourist visa requirements with immediate effect, allowing applicants to submit a bank statement showing a minimum monthly credit amount of $750 or equivalent.

Pakistani tourist arrivals to Saudi Arabia grew 43 per cent in 2023 compared with the previous year. Saudi Arabia is aiming to welcome 2.7 million Pakistani visitors in 2024. To accommodate this growing demand, the KSA is making it easier for Pakistani travelers to obtain the visa prior to travel through one of six Tasheer offices established across Pakistan in Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Multan. Tasheer offices offer a convenient and user-friendly experience, including visa application guidance, biometric enrolment, status tracking, and passport delivery. Travellers can schedule an appointment on the Tasheer website prior to their visit.

In addition, Saudi Arabia has introduced the transit visa which is available for travellers arriving in the kingdom via Saudia and Flynas, where they can transit and explore for up to 96 hours. Visa on arrival is available for those travelers who hold a valid and used UK, US or Schengen visa.

In the past year, Saudi Arabia introduced a one-year multiple entry visa for Pakistani travellers. This is a specific visa for those coming for personal visits such as attending weddings or functions or visiting friends or families. Holders of this visa can enjoy multiple visits to Saudi Arabia within a 12-month period, allowing them to explore the country’s vibrant cities, cultural richness, and natural wonders all year round. Pakistani travelers with a one-year multiple entry visa can also perform Umrah, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering spiritual journeys and cultural exchanges.

Making it easier to get a visa will encourage more Pakistani travelers to not only visit their friends and families and perform Umrah but also encourage them to explore Saudi Arabia; from Riyadh’s vibrant cityscape, Jeddah’s cultural richness, hidden treasures of the Red Sea to the ancient marvels of AlUla. Saudi Arabia is a year-round destination with several regions offering a cooler escape in summer while the busy calendar of events through winter is attracting more and more tourists each year.

The Saudi government has launched an online platform for facilitating visa applications, which can be accessed at visa.mofa.gov.sa and vc.tasheer.com in addition to www.visitsaudi.com for exploring tourism offerings and travel guidelines.