Manama: Media reports that Saudi Arabia would be issuing tourism visas soon have been dismissed as untrue.
“The reports about tourism visas lack credibility and there is no plan to approve granting such visas for the time being,” sources told local news site Sabq.
“The priority now is to provide tourism services for Saudis, Saudi Arabia-based expatriates and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals,” the sources said.
GCC citizens do not require visas to enter Saudi Arabia. The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Reports on Sunday claimed that the Saudi authorities were planning to implement within six months a new policy that grants visas for tourists who apply to visit the kingdom.
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) approved provisions to issue tourism visas and regulate the system in a bid to boost tourism in the kingdom, the reports said. The visas would be issued in coordination with the ministries of interior and foreign affairs.
Tourism visas would be a great boost for travel agencies operating in Saudi Arabia where local tourism is a major feature.
Saudi Arabia currently offers religious visas to Muslims keen on performing pilgrimage or Umrah. Such visas cannot be used as tourist visas. Business visas are issued to businessmen, investors, company managers and representatives. Business visas do not grant the applicant the right to work or to live in the kingdom.
Saudi is home to around 27 million people, including 9 million expatriates.
