Saudi Arabia eases visa terms for Pakistan

Pakistani travellers can apply for the Saudi visit visa by submitting bank statement to show a minimum monthly credit amount of $750 or its equivalent, as the kingdom relaxed its visa policy for the Pakistani tourists on Wednesday.

The move aimed at facilitating the growing number of Pakistani travellers. Last year the number rose by 43%, while this year the Saudi officials expected around 2.7 million Pakistani tourists would visit Saudi Arabia.

To cater to the growing number of tourists, offices had been established in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Multan, where people who wished to visit Saudi Arabia were provided with various services related to visa acquisition.

To avoid long waits, intending visitors could book an appointment online. Saudi Arabia had also introduced transit visa for the Pakistanis, which is available to the visitors upon arrival via certain airlines. On this visa, the visitors would be able to visit Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours.

The on-arrival visa would also be available to the travellers who hold a UK, US or Schengen visa.