From December, Saudi Arabia will offer an e-visa for foreign visitors wishing to attend sporting events and concerts, the country’s General Sports Authority announced on Tuesday.
At present, foreigners traveling to Saudi Arabia are largely restricted to resident workers and their dependants; business travellers; and Muslim pilgrims (who are given special visas to travel to holy sites).
The ‘sharek’ visa process (which will process visa requests for attending sporting events) will be introduced in time for a motor race on December 15.
The new visa will grant travellers “free mobility within specific Saudi territories” during, before and after an event. The holy cities of Mecca and Medina remain off-limits for non-Muslims.
Applicants will be able to obtain 14-day visas online for SAR640 riyals (R2 440).
Will this increase interest in travel to Saudi Arabia? Email savannahf@nowmedia.co.za with your view.
