MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN-COLOMBO
Saudi Arabia will issue on- arrival visas at any of its international gateways to passengers holding Schengen, US and UK visas, the General Aviation of Civil Authority, ( GACA) announced in Riyadh on Friday.
In a circular signed by GACA President Mohammed Al-Otaibi, it is stated those who are holding the above-mentioned visas in their respective passports will be allowed to visit the Kingdom on a tourist visa provided they had already visited the country for which the visa was obtained initially. The new rule applies to all nationalities who become eligible under the conditions, it said.
Chairman of the Traveller Global, Rizmi Reyal , who handles Haj and Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia told Colombo Times that this is an encouraging move to liberalize the Saudi tourist market to the global tourists. “ Saudi Arabia under the dynamic leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, has widened the areas of cooperation with all friendly countries to see for themselves of the real Saudi Arabia ,” Reyal added.
Riyadh-based Seyed Hameed Mowlana told Colombo Times that it is great move undertaken by the Saudi government to give an opportunity to genuine travellers to visit Saudi Arabia and interact with its residents and citizens.
This facility is not open to South Asian countries. Only 49 countries (mainly Anglo Saxon and European countries) will enjoy this facility.