Saudi Arabia Opens E-Visa and Visa on Arrival for Citizens of Four Countries

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Tourism announced the expansion of the e-tourist visa and visa on arrival program to four additional countries — Mexico, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. Citizens of these countries can now obtain a multiple-entry tourist visa online or apply for a visa directly at the point of entry to the kingdom using a national passport, without needing to contact an embassy.

The new visa allows travelers to perform Umrah, attend events, exhibitions and conferences, as well as visit relatives and friends residing in Saudi Arabia.

Conditions and Restrictions

The Ministry of Tourism reminds travelers that they must comply with the validity period specified in the visa — exceeding it incurs penalties, and the visa cannot be extended before it expires. For multiple-entry visas, the length of stay is calculated either as the total of all visits or is deducted from the overall limit with each entry.

Important: The visa does not permit paid work. Although it allows performing Umrah, this cannot be done during the official Hajj season.

Diplomatic Response

Mexico's Chargé d'Affaires in Saudi Arabia Guillermo Gutierrez called the decision a step opening a «complex and attractive destination» for Mexican tourists, pilgrims, specialists and students, noting that the measure fits within Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 program for economic diversification and tourism development, including religious tourism.

Serbia's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dragan Bisenich stated that Serbia «highly appreciates» the approval of e-tourist visas for its citizens, calling it a step strengthening relations between the countries. According to him, Serbian citizens wishing to perform Umrah can now do so much more easily. He also recalled that a visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic, official and special passports was signed between the countries a few weeks ago.

Sources: Arab News

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