- Returns Saudi to pre-pandemic levels of openness
- Visa-on-arrival available for citizens of countries eligible for e-visa 
- No proof of vaccination or PCR test required for entry  
- Quarantine requirement eliminated 

The Saudi Arabian government has reopened the visa-on-arrival program for 
holders of valid visas for the US, UK and Schengen area, effective immediately. 
The move comes two weeks after the country lifted all COVID-related entry 
restrictions and returns Saudi to pre-pandemic levels of openness.

Citizens of any country who hold one of the three visas and who are travelling 
on one of the country's national carriers – Saudi, Flynas or Flyadeal – can now 
receive a 12-month tourism visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia without needing to 
apply in advance.

Visitors holding a valid US, UK or Schengen visa must have used it at least 
once to enter the issuing country or region in order to qualify for a visa on 
arrival in Saudi. Visitors will also need to purchase COVID-19 insurance, which 
they can do at any of Saudi Arabia's international airports.

Citizens of any country eligible for the e-visa program, which was introduced 
in 2019, may also receive a visa on arrival, regardless of the airline they are 
travelling with.

"Restoring the visa-on-arrival program marks the final step in returning Saudi 
to a pre-pandemic level of openness and makes it one of the most accessible 
destinations in the world for leisure, business and religious travel," said His 
Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia and Chairman of STA. "This decision by the government will further 
support the many thousands of people who depend on tourism for their 
livelihoods while welcoming the world back to the destination with the warm 
hospitality for which the Saudi people are renowned."

On March 6, Saudi Arabia announced the lifting of all travel restrictions put 
in place to protect people from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. 
Visitors to Saudi no longer need to present proof of vaccination or a PCR test 
to enter the country. The red list of countries not allowed entry has been 
discontinued. Institutional quarantine requirements have been entirely removed, 
and social distancing rules have been lifted. Masks are required in enclosed 
public places only.

Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to close its borders following the 
emergence of COVID-19. Since then, the government has implemented stringent 
health and safety protocols at all public venues, including hotels, 
restaurants, public buildings and offices. 

Saudi opened to international leisure travelers in September 2019, less than 
six months before its borders were closed due to the pandemic. The country 
shifted its tourism strategy to focus on building domestic visitation, opening 
11 destination and creating more than 270 tourism packages. As a result, Saudi 
recorded two successive years of growth in leisure travel without seeing a 
concomitant surge in COVID cases.

"Saudi has emerged from the pandemic with a burgeoning leisure and 
entertainment sector that includes some of the largest events in the world as 
well as a compelling cultural tourism offer and an increasing number of local 
companies dedicated to tourism," said His Excellency Al Khateeb. "We look 
forward to welcoming visitors from around the world eager to explore the 
authentic home of Arabia."

About Saudi Tourism Authority

Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), launched in June 2020, is responsible for 
marketing Saudi's tourism destinations worldwide and developing the 
destination's offering through programs, packages and business support. Its 
mandate includes developing the country's unique assets and destinations, 
hosting and participating in industry events, and promoting Saudi's tourism 
brand locally and overseas. The STA operates 16 representative offices around 
the world, serving 38 countries. 



SOURCE: Saudi Tourism Authority