To enhance travel opportunities between Saudi Arabia and India, Saudi Arabia is now offering Indian citizens a 96-hour free visa. Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of Asia Pacific at the Saudi Tourism Authority, announced this initiative during a recent discussion.
Recognizing India as a key market for its growing tourism sector, Saudi Arabia is streamlining visa access by establishing 10 VFS offices in India, with plans for further expansion next year. Indian citizens can now perform Umrah on business, tourism, and Umrah visas, as confirmed by Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj & Umrah, during his visit to New Delhi.
A highlight of this initiative is the new stopover program, offering a 96-hour free visa for travellers on Saudi Airlines or Flynas, a private Saudi low-cost airline. Additionally, those holding a US, UK, or Schengen visa are eligible for an e-visa or visa on arrival, simplifying travel processes.
Alhasan Aldabbagh emphasized the importance of the Indian market, stating, “India is a priority market for Saudi. Last year alone, we welcomed 1.5 million visitors from India, reflecting a remarkable 50 percent growth. Our goal is to attract 7.5 million visitors from India to Saudi Arabia by 2030.”
Key Highlights of the 96-hour Saudi Stop-Over Visa
- The new 96-hour visa is valid for three months (90 days)
- This Visa is issued free of charge
- It allows applicants to apply up to 90 days before their travel dates and grants a 96-hour stay in Saudi Arabia.
- This facilitates activities such as Umrah, visits to the Prophet’s mosque, and participation in tourism events.
To expedite 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 digital visa issuance via email.
As part of its broader vision, Saudi Arabia aims to attract investments worth 220 billion Saudi Riyals in the tourism sector by 2023 and 500 billion Saudi Riyals by 2030. This initiative is a crucial step in fostering closer ties and promoting tourism between Saudi Arabia and India.
