Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step towards modernizing its visa system by eliminating visa stickers for arrivals from 12 countries. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued a circular to all airlines, announcing the gradual implementation of this decision, which applies to labor, visit, and residency visas issued by Saudi diplomatic missions in specific countries.

The 12 countries affected by this change are Pakistan, Yemen, Sudan, Uganda, Lebanon, Nepal, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Morocco, Thailand, and Vietnam. Instead of visa stickers, travelers will now receive printed e-visas containing their data, with the validity verified through a Quick Response (QR) code.

The implementation of this new system will occur in stages, with different start dates for each country: Pakistan (July 24), Yemen (July 26), Sudan (August 2), Uganda (August 7), Lebanon (August 9), Nepal (August 14), Turkey (August 16), Sri Lanka (August 21), Kenya (August 23), Morocco (August 28), Thailand (August 30), and Vietnam (September 4).

It's important to note that visa stickers issued before the specified dates will remain valid.

The shift to e-visas comes as part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to automate procedures and enhance consular services related to work, residency, and visit visas. The Saudi Foreign Ministry introduced the e-visa initiative at select missions abroad, replacing traditional visa stickers with electronically accessible data through the QR code.

Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its economy and attract more foreign visitors, moving away from its reliance on oil. The kingdom has already witnessed an increase in tourist numbers, reaching 2.4 million visitors in January and 2.5 million in February. The government has set an ambitious target of welcoming 25 million foreign tourists this year.

By adopting e-visas, Saudi Arabia aims to streamline the visa process, improve security measures, and make travel to the country more convenient for visitors from these 12 countries and beyond.