Saudi Arabia has updated its visa policy, introducing new rules for e-transit visas and short-term visas

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently made changes to its policy on electronic transit and short-term visas. It is important to take these updates into account when planning trips to the country.

Changes in the electronic transit visa

The electronic transit visa (e-stopover visa) will now be issued exclusively to passengers traveling to or from countries in 'Group A'. This service is only available to travelers whose flight routes begin or end in one of the specified countries. In addition, travelers must have a valid visa from at least one of the approved countries and have used it to enter that country before.

This visa allows you to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours and is often used to perform umrah or visit the country's main attractions during transit. The new changes aim to ensure security and effective control over transit, allowing authorities to better manage passenger flow and minimize potential risks.

Temporary changes in new short-term visas

Saudi Arabia has also announced a temporary suspension of issuing new short-term visas for citizens of 14 countries ahead of the Hajj season. This measure affects business visas, electronic tourist visas, and visas for visiting relatives.

Holders of valid visas from these countries must enter the country by April 13 and leave by April 29, 2025. This decision was made due to problems that arose last year when pilgrims used visas not intended for the Hajj.

In conclusion, these changes in the visa policy are happening ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage season and are aimed at managing the flow of tourists and complying with new travel and immigration rules. 

Stay tuned for news on the website Buch-dein-Visum.de to stay informed of all changes in visa policy and receive up-to-date travel planning advice.