Saudi Arabia has introduced a groundbreaking initiative, offering a 96-hour free visa to Indian citizens, marking a significant advancement in travel relations between the two countries. The announcement, made by Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of the Asia Pacific region at the Saudi Tourism Authority, underscores India’s pivotal role as a key market for Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism sector.
As reported by TOI, the streamlined visa access includes the presence of 10 VFS offices in India, with plans for further expansion in the coming year. Indian citizens are now permitted to undertake Umrah on business, tourism, and Umrah visas, as confirmed by Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the visiting Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj & Umrah, in New Delhi.
A notable aspect of this initiative is the introduction of a stopover program, offering a 96-hour free visa to travelers flying through Saudi Airlines or Flynas, a private Saudi low-cost airline. Moreover, travelers holding US, UK, or Schengen visas are eligible for an e-visa or visa on arrival, streamlining the travel process.
Highlighting the significance of the Indian market, Alhasan Aldabbagh stated, “India is a priority market for Saudi. Last year alone, we welcomed 1.5 million visitors from India, marking a remarkable 50 percent growth. Our objective is to attract 7.5 million visitors from India to Saudi Arabia by 2030.”
According to TOI, the newly introduced visa, valid for three months and issued free of cost, allows applicants to apply up to 90 days before their intended travel dates. This visa permits a stay of 96 hours or four days in Saudi Arabia, facilitating activities such as Umrah, visits to the Prophet’s mosque, or participation in tourism events.
To streamline the application process, Aldabbagh mentioned that applications would be automatically transferred to the unified national visa platform at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), ensuring swift processing and issuance of the digital visa, delivered to the beneficiary via email.
Aligned with its broader vision, Saudi Arabia aims to attract investments worth 220 billion Saudi Riyals in the tourism sector by 2023 and a more substantial 500 billion Saudi Riyals by 2030. This initiative marks a pivotal moment in fostering closer ties and promoting tourism between Saudi Arabia and India.
