New tourist visa to generate jobs for Saudis, says Al-Qasabi

Saudi Arabia’s newly launched tourist visa will contribute to generating job opportunities for Saudis in the hospitality, tourism, services, transport and entertainment sectors, Commerce and Investment Minister Majid Al-Qasabi said.

Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) said yesterday that the government has finished setting the National Tourism Strategy till 2030, targeting 100 million tourists 2030, which requires providing 500,000 new hotel rooms.

Under the new visa, the citizens of 49 countries include the majority of European states, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and some Asian countries. Tourists will obtain visa on entry, Argaam reported earlier.

Other nationalities can obtain their visas within two days as per the normal procedures at Saudi embassies and consulates.

Tourists can apply for a visa twice a year and can stay up to 90 consecutive days in the Kingdom.