Saudi Arabia set to launch tourist visas, Tunisia not included

Saudi Arabia declared that tourist visas will be allotted for the first time to visitors from 49 countries around the world.

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) president Ahmed Al-Khateeb made the announcement at an event in Ad-Diriyah.
Tourists from 38 countries in Europe, 7 in Asia, as well as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, will be eligible to apply for the new visas.
The visas will be valid for 360 days from the date of issuance for stays of 90 days or less, and a total of no more than 180 days in a single year.
For residents of those 49 countries, visas will be available online via a seven-minute application process, or on arrival at machine stalls or special counters in any of Saudi Arabia’s four international airports. Unfortanyly Tunisia and Arab countries are not included in the newly issued visas.
Al-Khateeb said the Kingdom will further lessen its stern dress code for foreign women, enabling them to go without the abaya robe that is still mandatory public wear for Saudi women.
Foreign women, however, will be expected to wear “modest clothing,” he added, without elaborating.