Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry has announced the launch of electronic visas (e-visas) in twelve countries, including Pakistan. The announcement was officially made by the Saudi General Aviation Authority, marking a significant shift in the country’s visa issuance process.
The new e-visa system, which incorporates QR codes, is now operational in Saudi missions across twelve nations. These include Pakistan, Turkey, Morocco, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Philippines, Indonesia, and Egypt.
This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s continuous efforts to streamline its processes and improve the quality of services provided by its consular offices. The country is also exploring ways to modernize the issuance of various types of visas, such as work, residency, and visit visas.
Recently, Saudi Arabia has been focusing on enhancing its visa procedures and making its visa rules more flexible. This strategy aims to attract more tourists and international businesses to the country, thereby boosting its economy and global standing.
In addition to this, there are ongoing discussions about a potential unified visa system, similar to the Schengen model, among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. If implemented, this could further simplify travel and business operations within the GCC region.
With the introduction of e-visas, Saudi Arabia is taking a significant step towards digitization and ease of access, reflecting its commitment to modernization and customer service excellence.
