• The process for South Africans to apply for a visa to Saudi Arabia just become much easier and quicker as the Arab nation has opened its eVisa process to South Africa.
• Applications can now be done solely online with a digital visa received, and it costs around R2 677.75 per application.
• Saudi Arabia could soon start flying direct flights from Jeddah to Johannesburg as of 1st December 2023.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has opened its digital visa system to citizens of South Africa. The system makes it considerably easier to apply and receive a visa to travel to the Middle Eastern country.

Tourism Minister Patrica de Lille welcomed to opening of the system to South Africans. De Lille recently visited Saudi Arabia in efforts to increase tourism relations between the two countries. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two nations for that purpose.

“I am extremely pleased with this development as South Africa also became the first African country to be added to the list. This will certainly bring immense benefits for leisure and Umrah travellers and for our efforts to grow tourism between South Africa and Saudi Arabia,” said De Lille.

Saudi Arabia expanded its eVisa programme to include 57 more countries, of which South Africa is the only African nation.

In terms of the eVisa itself, once received it will be valid for South African visitors for one year and allows you to visit Saudi Arabia for 90 days at a time. This means that if you leave before the 90-day period is up, you can effectively visit as many times as you want in one year.

The visa costs 535 Saudi riyals, or around R2 677.75, and it includes medical insurance. It allows visitors to perform a number of activities in the kingdom, including taking part in events, seeing family and relatives, travelling for leisure and Umrah (excluding Hajj). The visa does not cover staying for studies.

There is a specific process for pilgrims looking to take part in Hajj, with unique visa qualifications and information.

Another relevant development of Minister De Lille’s visit is a recommendation from Saudi Arabian Airlines, the national carrier, to begin direct flights between Jeddah and Johannesburg from 1st December 2023.

“During our engagements, we shared research with the Saudi Air Connectivity Team to motivate for a direct flight between Jeddah and Cape Town. The e-Visa development is significant for South Africa as many Muslim citizens travel for religious purposes. Along with the direct flights, this will ease travel for many tourists but especially for religious tourism and pilgrimages,” explained the minister.

The kingdom, among the few absolute monarchies remaining on Earth, has been aggressively seeking to expand its international influence. In August it was invited to join the BRICS bloc, alongside the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, Argentina, and Iran.

It recently announced that it would host a government-held esports tournament, the Esports World Cup, which it promised will have the largest prize pool in esports history. “The Esports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and esports, offering an unmatched esports experience that pushes the boundaries of the industry,” said de facto Saudi leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, per Reuters.

South Africans can apply for an eVisa to Saudi Arabia here.

[Source – SA News]

[Image – Photo by Ömer F. Arslan on Unsplash]