Saudi Arabia Eases Visit Visa Rule for GCC Residents

Saudi Arabia has opened up its doors to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) residents by allowing them to apply for a visit visa regardless of their profession. The visa would allow visitors to perform Umrah and stay in the Kingdom for up to 90 days.
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The Ministry of Tourism in Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) residents can now apply for a visit visa to the Kingdom regardless of their profession.

This announcement comes after a previous requirement that limited eligibility to specific professions, which were listed on the ministry website.

“Pleased to announce any resident of the state is eligible to apply for a tourist visa to the Kingdom, regardless of their profession, and we are inviting those interested to apply through the link: http://visitsaudi.com/visa,” said the Ministry of Tourism in a social media post.

Saudi Multiple-Entry Visa for up to 90 Days

Visitors can apply for a multiple-entry visa for up to 90 days, this visa is valid for up to one full year (365 days) with a maximum 90-day duration of stay at one time and multiple entries, according to the Saudi government’s official website.

Except during the Haj season, this visa allows the holder to perform Umrah at any time. Visitors can also apply for a single-entry visa valid for three months from the date of issuance for up to 30 days.

Visa fees (SAR 300) and insurance (SAR 140), the amount in SAR is equivalent to $123 dollars.

Eligibility Requirements

Here are the eligibility requirements for the visit visa to Saudi Arabia:

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  1. The applicant must be at least 18 years old. For children under 18, the guardian must apply on their behalf.
  2. The applicant’s passport must be valid for at least six months.
  3. The applicant must have a residency ID from a GCC country that is valid for no less than three months.
  4. Separate visa applications must be completed for each member of the direct family.
  5. The applicant must accompany their family members while entering the Kingdom.

Transit Visa for Haj and Umrah

In a previous announcement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stated that all travellers with flight tickets could obtain a free 96-hour entry permit to the country. The permit holder would be able to perform Haj and Umrah.

This move by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism is expected to boost tourism in the Kingdom by making it more accessible to GCC residents. Visa requirements are being relaxed as part of the country’s larger efforts to diversify its economy and promote tourism.


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Manish Khandelwal
Manish Khandelwal

Manish Khandelwal, a travel-tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travelobiz.com, he's passionate about writing.

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