Saudi Arabia to issue first tourist visas in Q1 2018

After revealing plans were in place to start issuing tourist visas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Q1 2018 has been targeted as the first phase of launching the new visas.

Arabian Business reported that Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz told AFP that "all government approvals" are in place for the launch of electronic visas next year to "all nationals whose countries allow their citizens to visit" Saudi Arabia.

The regulations for eligibility and the process to obtain them are currently in the works, revealed the report. The cost of the new visa has not yet been revealed. 

Currently, the Kingdom offers tourist visas to a limited number of countries; however, with a number of restrictions.

This follows a number of recent rules being changed, including announcing that women will be able to drive from June 2018, and lifting the ban on cinemas.

The tourism and hospitality industry is a key focus in this changing market, with nearly 1,300 additional keys added to Saudi Arabia’s hotel market in Q3 2017, and hotel investment in the Kingdom on the rise.