United Arab Emirates/Saudi Arabia: Special Visa Programs for FIFA World Cup to Facilitate Regional Travel
September 2, 2022

Immigration authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia will soon start issuing multiple-entry visit visas to attendees of the FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar holding a Hayya Card. The UAE visa will allow its holder to stay in the country for up to 90 days, and the Saudi visa will permit a stay of up to 60 days. Visitors traveling to any of the two countries will not be required to enter Qatar first. The application process in the United Arab Emirates will start on November 1, 2022, and will be announced shortly in Saudi Arabia. These special visa programs aim to promote tourism in the region during the FIFA World Cup tournament season. Note, Hayya Card holders must have a purchased ticket before applying for this visa.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact your Fragomen immigration professional or send an email to [email protected].
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