The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed its latest statistics on the number of electronic tourist visas it has issued, which reached 23,713 visas in the period from last September 27, when they were activated, until October 7 this month.
China had the largest share of the tourist visas issued by Saudi Arabia, to Chinese tourists wishing to visit the Kingdom, recording 7,391 visas to top the list so far, while the United Kingdom came second with 6,159 visas, with these two countries accounting for more than 50% of the total tourist visas issued by the Kingdom so far.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the 10 nationalities that have obtained the most tourist visas are China, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Malaysia, France, Germany, Russia, Australia and Kazakhstan.
List of nationalities that have obtained the most tourist visas to Saudi Arabia:
Country | Number of tourist visas |
|---|---|
China | 7391 |
United Kingdom | 6159 |
United States of America | 2132 |
Canada | 1612 |
Malaysia | 1107 |
France | 744 |
Germany | 557 |
Russia | 484 |
Australia | 476 |
Kazakhstan | 421 |
It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia has begun activating the tourist visa, which allows citizens of 49 countries to enter its territory, with the visa issued electronically or at points of entry. The tourist visa costs 440 Saudi riyals and is valid for one year, for a stay of 90 days within a single year. It is granted through the electronic platform or at points of entry, of which there are 6 main ones: King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah, King Fahd Airport in Dammam and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madinah, in addition to the King Fahd Causeway land port and the Al-Batha land port.
The visa is granted to anyone wishing to enter the Kingdom regardless of religion, provided that they are 18 years old, or accompanied by a guardian for those younger, and the passport must be valid for no less than 6 months from the date of entry into the Kingdom.
The Kingdom also decided to allow women to obtain a tourist visa "without a mahram" (male guardian), provided that the woman applying for the visa is not under 30 years of age; if she is younger, she must come with a mahram.
