Saudi extends tourist visas for three months free of charge

Saudi Arabia will automatically renew all tourist visas that expired during the suspension of international flights free of charge for three months, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The decision was announced by the General Directorate of Passports along with the National Information Centre.

Officials said the extension will be done automatically through the system, and that tourists will not need to visit any centre.

The kingdom suspended all international flights in March as part of precautionary measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed that domestic flights within the kingdom, operated by national carriers, will commence from Sunday, May 31.

Read: Domestic flights to resume in Saudi Arabia from May 31

Saudi Arabia started issuing tourist visas to foreign visitors in late September last year.

In late February, it was revealed that the kingdom had issued more than 400,000 tourist visas – not including those for religious pilgrims.

Read: Saudi Arabia has granted 400,000 visas since opening to tourism