Saudi Arabia: Electronic Visa Program Expanded to Additional Countries

In the coming months, the Saudi Arabian government will expand the e-visa program to applicants in an additional 11 countries applying for business visas, short-term work authorization and work visas. These individuals will receive an e-visa with a QR code instead of having a visa sticker endorsed in their passports. Specifically, the e-visa program was already implemented in Yemen on July 26, and will be implemented in these select countries on the following dates: Sudan (August 2); Uganda (August 7); Lebanon (August 9); Nepal (August 14); Türkiye (August 16); Sri Lanka (August 21); Kenya (August 23); Morocco (August 28); Thailand (August 30); and Vietnam (September 4). However, as authorities become accustomed to this change, affected individuals should carry a printed copy of their issued e-visa on standard A4 sized-paper when boarding a plane to Saudi Arabia to facilitate entry. The Saudi Arabian government already implemented this e-visa program on May 1, 2023, for applicants in eight countries, including India and the United Arab Emirates and recently expanded the program to applicants in Pakistan.