By Anas Alyusuf



Saudi Gazette



JEDDAH — As many as 77,069 tourist visas have been issued during the past 33 days since the Kingdom opened its doors to tourists from all over the world.



A total of 28,190 tourists have arrived in the Kingdom via its air and seaports and land entry points during the period between Sept. 27 and Oct. 30 after the government announced the launching of a tourist visa regime for 49 countries.



According to a report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seen by Saudi Gazette, Chinese tourists were in the forefront of international tourists who obtained online visas to enter the Kingdom. A total of 17,988 Chinese tourists secured visas while British tourists come next to them with 17,777.



Tourists from the United States of America came up third with 8,926 tourists and they were followed by Malaysia (7,158), Canada (5,413), France (3,097), Kazakhstan and Australia (1,685 each), Germany (1,674), and other nationalities 11,693.



The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) stated that tourists can apply for a visa before leaving for the Kingdom through the electronic platform (visa.visitsaudi.com) or upon arrival in the Kingdom at all ports through self-service devices or through smart phones or through the passport offices at the entry points.



According to the Jawazat sources, this new visa allows tourists to enter the Kingdom multiple times within a year from the date of its issuance provided that their passport is valid for a minimum of six months from their date of entry to the Saudi territory. Tourists can stay on in the Kingdom for a maximum of 90 days in a year.



The Jawazat confirmed that all its departments at the entry points to the Kingdom have been equipped with modern technical devices for the issuance of tourist visas, and manned with the trained and qualified hands.



