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Saudi Arabia is offering a 96-hour free visa to Indian citizens, which is seen as a significant step in enhancing travel opportunities between the two nations.
The announcement was made by Alhasan Aldabbagh, President – Asia Pacific, Saudi Tourism Authority, during a recent discussion. This strategic move reflects the acknowledgment of India’s pivotal role as a key market for Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism sector.
The streamlined visa access encompasses the presence of 10 VFS offices in India, with plans for further expansion in the upcoming year. Notably, Indian citizens are now permitted to undertake Umrah on business, tourism, and Umrah visas, as affirmed by Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the visiting Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj & Umrah, in New Delhi.
A noteworthy part of this initiative is the introduction of a stopover program, providing a 96-hour free visa to individuals traveling through Saudi Airlines or Flynas, a private Saudi low-cost airline. Additionally, travelers holding a US, UK, or Schengen visa are eligible for an e-visa or visa on arrival, contributing to the overall ease of travel.
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Referring to this initiative, Alhasan Aldabbagh emphasised the importance of the Indian market for Saudi Arabia. He stated, “India is a priority market for Saudi. Last year alone, we welcomed 1.5 million visitors from India, presenting a remarkable 50 per cent growth. Looking ahead, our objective is to attract 7.5 million visitors from India to Saudi Arabia as part of our vision for 2030.”
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Reports add that the newly introduced visa has a validity of three months and is issued free of cost, enabling applicants to apply up to 90 days before their intended travel dates. This visa allows a stay of 96 hours or four days in Saudi Arabia, facilitating activities such as Umrah, visits to the Prophet’s mosque, or participation in tourism events.
To streamline the application process, Aldabbagh mentioned that the applications would be automatically transferred to the unified national visa platform at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), ensuring swift processing and issuance of the digital visa, which would be sent to the beneficiary via email.
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In alignment with its broader vision, Saudi Arabia aims to attract investments worth 220 billion Saudi Riyals in the tourism sector by 2023 and a more substantial 500 billion Saudi Riyals by 2030, according to previous statements by the Minister of Tourism. This initiative marks a pivotal moment in fostering closer ties and promoting tourism between Saudi Arabia and India.
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