Saudi Arabia has recently made a significant announcement regarding major visa changes for 12 countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, Lebanon, and several others. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) revealed its plans to introduce new rules for travellers coming into the country from these nations. Under the new system, visitors will no longer need traditional visa stickers in their passports.

Instead, Saudi Arabia will replace visa stickers with printed e-visas featuring QR codes, containing all the necessary data and information about the passenger. This move is part of the country's digitization efforts to modernise its consular services, including work permits, residence, and visit visas. The phased-out schedule for the transition has been outlined, with the new procedure set to be fully implemented by September 4, 2023. 

Saudi Arabia Traditional Passports

Saudi Arabia is taking a significant step in modernising its visa system by phasing out traditional visa stickers for visitors. Instead, the country will be introducing printed e-visas with QR codes, streamlining the visa application process and enhancing convenience for travellers. This move reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to embracing digital technology in its consular services and staying at the forefront of efficient visa processing.

Saudi Arabia Traditional Sticker

In a major policy shift, Saudi Arabia is bidding farewell to traditional visa stickers for visitors. Instead, the country will be rolling out printed e-visas with QR codes, simplifying the visa process and embracing digital innovation. This move highlights Saudi Arabia's commitment to modernising its consular services and making travel more efficient for all visitors.

Saudi Arabia's recent major visa changes for visitors from 12 countries represent a significant step in modernising its consular services and streamlining travel procedures. The move comes as part of the General Authority of Civil Aviation's efforts to digitise visa processes and enhance efficiency for both travellers and authorities.

Under the new system, visitors arriving from Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon, and other countries will no longer require traditional visa stickers in their passports. Instead, Saudi Arabia will introduce printed e-visas equipped with QR codes. These e-visas will contain all necessary data and passenger information, effectively replacing labour, visit, or residency visa stickers.

The phased-out schedule for visa stickers in visitor passports from the 12 new countries reflects a systematic approach to the transition. Starting from July 24 with Pakistan and culminating on September 4 with Vietnam, the change aims to ensure a smooth and organised implementation.

The Saudi Arabia QR e-Visa

The shift to e-visas is part of Saudi Arabia's broader efforts to embrace digitalization in its consular services, covering work permits, residence, and visit visas. By leveraging technology, the country seeks to streamline processes, enhance security, and make travel more convenient for visitors.

This initiative builds on Saudi Arabia's earlier decision to stop using visa stickers for visitors from countries like the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, which demonstrates the country's commitment to adopting innovative approaches to visa processing.

Benefits of the New e-Visas in Saudi Arabia

The introduction of printed e-visas equipped with QR codes in Saudi Arabia offers several benefits for both travellers and authorities:

• Enhanced Efficiency: The new e-visas streamline the visa application process, reducing paperwork and processing time. Travellers can apply for visas online, making the entire process faster and more convenient.

• Improved Security: E-visas with QR codes contain encrypted information, making them more secure and tamper-proof. This helps in preventing fraud and unauthorised use of visas.

• Simplified Verification: Immigration authorities can easily verify the authenticity of e-visas by scanning the QR codes, ensuring a smooth and reliable entry process for travellers.

• Cost-Effective: E-visas eliminate the need for physical visa stickers, reducing printing and administrative costs for the Saudi government.

• Environmentally Friendly: By transitioning to e-visas, Saudi Arabia reduces paper usage, contributing to environmental conservation and sustainability efforts.

• International Recognition: The adoption of modern e-visas aligns Saudi Arabia with global trends in visa processing, enhancing its reputation and international standing.

Overall, the transition to printed e-visas with QR codes represents a significant step towards digitalization, improving visa processing efficiency, security, and the overall travel experience in Saudi Arabia.

FAQS

• What are the major visa changes announced by Saudi Arabia for Pakistan, Turkey, Lebanon, and other countries?

Saudi Arabia has decided to replace traditional visa stickers in passports with printed e-visas featuring QR codes for visitors from these countries. The e-visas will contain all the necessary data and passenger information, eliminating the need for physical visa stickers.

• When will the new visa system be implemented for visitors from the 12 countries?

The transition to e-visas will be phased out gradually, starting from July 24, 2023, with Pakistan, and ending on September 4, 2023, with Vietnam.

• What is the purpose behind introducing e-visas with QR codes?

The introduction of e-visas with QR codes is part of Saudi Arabia's digitization efforts to modernise its consular services, including work permits, residence, and visit visas. It aims to streamline the visa application process and enhance efficiency for travellers and authorities.

• Will the new e-visas replace stickers for all types of visas?

Yes, the e-visas will replace visa stickers for labour, visit, and residency visas.

• How will visitors use the e-visas with QR codes?

Visitors will present their printed e-visas with QR codes upon entry to Saudi Arabia, where the QR code will be scanned to verify the necessary visa information.

• Which countries were previously affected by the change in visa stickers?

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia had already stopped using visa stickers for visitors from countries like the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

• How will this visa change affect travel to Saudi Arabia?

The implementation of e-visas with QR codes is expected to simplify and expedite the visa application process for travellers from the 12 countries, making travel to Saudi Arabia more convenient and efficient.

• Will the new visa system apply to all travellers from the 12 countries?

Yes, the new visa system will apply to all visitors arriving from Pakistan, Turkey, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Uganda, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Morocco, Thailand, and Vietnam.

• Can visitors still apply for traditional visa stickers during the transition period?

During the transition period, visitors are advised to apply for the new e-visas with QR codes rather than traditional visa stickers to ensure a smooth and hassle-free entry into Saudi Arabia.