Saudi Arabia introduces visa-on-arrival facility for Pakistanis
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Saudi Arabia has introduced a multiple-entry visit visa for Pakistanis and all other applicants who have a valid United Kingdom, United States or Schengen visa, reported Gulf News on Sunday.
Visitors will also be able to use the visa, which is valid for one year, to perform Umrah. However, they will not be able to use the visa to perform Haj, the publication added.
In order to obtain the visa-on-arrival, travellers must have a valid credit card to pay a fee amounting to Rs18,000; cash will not be accepted. Further, citizens will be allowed to stay in the country for up to 90 days at a time and can enter the kingdom multiple times, the report said.
Quoting a reservation agent at Saudi Airlines in Dubai, the report maintained that the new service commenced last month.
“Anyone who has a valid UK, US or Schengen visa can obtain visit visa to Saudi Arabia on arrival. However, the visa is issued to only those applicants who have used their US, UK or Schengen visa at least once. You will not be given visa on arrival if you have US, UK or Schengen visa stamped on your passport but have never used it,” she explained.
Moreover, first-time visitors will have to travel on Saudi-based airlines including Saudi Airlines, Flynas or Flydeal. Meanwhile, repeat travellers who already hold a visit visa can use any other airline, the publication said.
In addition, the tourist visa for non-Muslims forbids travellers from visiting the holy cities of Makkah and Madina while Muslims may use the tourist visa to perform Umrah outside of Haj season, Gulf News reported.
In September 2019, Saudi Arabia had announced it was offering tourist visas for the first time, opening up the kingdom to holidaymakers as part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil.
The kingdom had also eased its strict dress code for foreign women, allowing them to go without the body-shrouding abaya robe that is still mandatory public wear for Saudi women, as authorities open up one of the last frontiers of global tourism.
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Comments (47) Closed
Feb 24, 2020 07:31pm
It’s all about the money
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Feb 24, 2020 07:39pm
Just dont overstay.
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Feb 24, 2020 07:40pm
Follow the laws come back with respect.
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Feb 24, 2020 07:43pm
Nothing new, this service was introduced in October 2019.
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Feb 24, 2020 07:44pm
With all the computerised system there they can follow u everywhere. Good for economy and for Pakistanis in this position.
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Feb 24, 2020 07:47pm
When economy slows down and have very few purchasers of oil...You have to innovate new ways to make money
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Feb 24, 2020 07:49pm
@A shah,
Disappointed much?
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Feb 24, 2020 07:55pm
What about for common pakistanis without european visas?
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Feb 24, 2020 08:06pm
and so, all the Muslim worshipers (or at the start, citizens of Muslim courtiers) should be given on arrival Umrah visa at Jeddah/Madina.... May Allaw swt make it happen soon, ameen.
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Feb 24, 2020 08:08pm
Too little, too late
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Feb 24, 2020 08:10pm
Just show how much the Arab Brothers love Pakistanis.
I can just see long lineups now at the airport.
How about those Doctors, can they go visit KSA?
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Feb 24, 2020 08:10pm
This shows the Green Passport value.
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Feb 24, 2020 08:17pm
Super Power Pakistan
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Feb 24, 2020 08:21pm
Very restrictive. Not worth.
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Feb 24, 2020 08:38pm
Kingdom trying to find much needed extra cash as oil future looks dark !
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Feb 24, 2020 09:01pm
@Alla Bux, "Very restrictive. Not worth". You should understand who they are trying to lure.
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Feb 24, 2020 09:19pm
The Rule is Nice to know , the Laws ( conditions governing the application of this relaxed rule ) , is excuse me " an apartheid in disguise and Passing the monkeys to the 3 states i.e. Europe, Uk and USA to feed and bear them ) . How Many Pakistanis will be able to secure Not only Visa to these 3 states But in fact have the means to travel to these states first and then go to Saudi Arabia to perform Omrah ? Saudis by putting these conditions are in fact telling the perspective Pakistanis , to pay a costly visa and a much costlier omrah to the "Europe/Uk/USA" , before you will be entitle to get a visa at arrival to do your religious Omrah . No Pakistan would like to go to Saudi Arabia Unless its for work or for Haji ( these two categories' are excluded from this Rule . Only Omrah is the option left , Why on earth as a devoted muslim, I would ever subject myself to this religious apartheid , which tells me , go first to USA/UK/Europe , only then you can avail our visa upon arrival.
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Feb 24, 2020 09:20pm
It is a ploy to lure well off Pakistanis to fly Saudi Arabian airlines, increase their well screened and wealthier tourist arrivals to support their economy. There is nothing to rejoice, just trying to shake some dollars from their richer brothers, nothing for the poor regular souls.
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Feb 24, 2020 09:56pm
The official Saudi tourist Visa website HAS NOT listed Pakistan under the ELIGIBLE countries for EVisa or Visa on arrival.
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Feb 24, 2020 10:13pm
Too much restrictions.
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Feb 24, 2020 10:13pm
Its a good gesture by the Saudis. As guardian of Harmain, they should think in terms of all Muslim Ummah. Granted they have to spend a lot on those places. But they are earning a lot of money from Hajj and Umrah beside all the wealth they earn from the Oil. Probably that wont cost them even 5% of the amount they are spending on AR with Yemen and other such activities.They should allow ALL Muslims at least one-time free visa on entry for performing Umrah. That should be a blessing for the Ummah.
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Feb 24, 2020 10:25pm
I applied for shenguan visit visa 15 days and used in august but it was only valid in August and i am also a resident of UAE
Do i need to apply for the visa or i can get on arrival in Saudi Arabia
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Feb 24, 2020 10:27pm
How do you get it though?
Not online as for the other applicants holding High ranked passports. It will be Via consulate I guess?
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Feb 24, 2020 10:33pm
How can they make the almighty meet so expensive and with restrictions. Charges should be there but at no profit no gain by trust management.
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Feb 24, 2020 10:40pm
Saudis are very intelligent. They are giving visa on arrival only to people who has visited western countries (meaning these countries has already verified their credentials) and has valid visa (meaning current verification) and Saudis don’t have to spend any money in verification but will still charge Rs 18,000 (make money). On top of it make money for Saudi airlines too as condition to travel with them. Other countries should follow similar Visa policies as long as they have workable airlines.
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Feb 24, 2020 10:45pm
Thanks SA. Good news for those Muslims who live in the western countries.
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Feb 24, 2020 10:59pm
@Alla Bux, This will benefit the legal permanent residents(GC Holders) in US, UK,
and not Pakistanis who are not green cards holders.
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Feb 24, 2020 11:17pm
@kamal chowkidar (real), commenting on issues without having sufficient knowledge is like sticking head in a sand bag!
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Feb 25, 2020 12:33am
The only two scenarios I see for traveling to Saudi, is religious or work.
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Feb 25, 2020 12:34am
@Amir Indian, cool it man.
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Feb 25, 2020 12:48am
Read the fine text. Not for the ordinary Pakistani
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Feb 25, 2020 01:08am
They will ill-treat and send back most.
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Feb 25, 2020 01:25am
It costs Rs20,000 per head per person or Rs 80,000 for a family of four. Who can afford it? S Arabia is greedy.
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Feb 25, 2020 02:08am
What about those holding Canadian visa.
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Feb 25, 2020 03:29am
''Isolated Pakistan''
US wants Pakistan, China wants to be Pakistan's friend, KSA want piece of the Pakistan's pie. Pakistan, Pakistan and Pakistan come we welcome all human of the world.
IndoPak Blood Brothers 4 Life!
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Feb 25, 2020 03:38am
@Aaqib, And loaned money is not returned by friends
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Feb 25, 2020 03:41am
@Alla Bux, Pakistani scanned by western countries are considered safe.
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Feb 25, 2020 04:10am
It is only for Pakistanis with means and a foreign passport. As those will have less tendency to overstay.
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Feb 25, 2020 04:44am
Done primarily to win the support of the influential Pakistanis with means and hold a Western passport. Who are also very class conscious. And they detest the very idea of queuing up and haggling along with their fellow ill-educated, rude and badly dressed working class brethren while getting a third- class treatment from the unsympathetic Saudi immigration officials.
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Feb 25, 2020 05:43am
Only elite class ( holding first world countries visa ) can enjoy this facility.
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Feb 25, 2020 06:03am
Selective offer to the people having money and might, still Pakistan celebrates it!
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Feb 25, 2020 07:32am
@A shah, yes, you got. But they late in this game.
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Feb 25, 2020 08:10am
Very good move by KSA.
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Feb 25, 2020 10:25am
Multiple Hajj and Umrah by the same person should not be allowed within 6 years. This will give chance to others to visit holy land and also help reduce overcrowding .
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Feb 25, 2020 11:52am
So what? They make money from the poor but not from affluent guys who hold US and Schengen visas. Poor in Pakistan save money for years to go to Mecca and Saudis don't have any regard for them!
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Feb 25, 2020 12:32pm
United Kingdom, United States or Schengen visa is mandatory for this. So no benefits for local people.
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Feb 25, 2020 10:56pm
What kind of a big news is this, the visa on arrival is only for those who have a valid Shengen or USA visa, not for everyone.
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