Saudi Arabia's new visa rules for Pakistan, signs nine MoUs to boost leisure and business tourism: Know more about the destination

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) signed nine Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with authorised trade partners to promote Saudi Arabia as a leading destination for leisure and business in Pakistan.

The Pakistani market has shown remarkable growth, with tourist arrivals to Saudi increasing by 43 per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year.

This year, STA aims to welcome 2.7 million visitors from Pakistan, offering them a wide array of destinations, culinary delights, and cultural experiences.

The MoUs were signed at a trade event hosted by renowned media personalities HSY and Momina Sibtain in Lahore, together with trade partners, celebrities, corporate leaders, airlines, and influencers in attendance to explore and promote Saudi as a premier leisure and MICE destination.

Jeddah is the city known as the gateway to Mecca, known for its vibrant cultural scene and stunning Red Sea coastline.

AlUla is known for its breathtaking rock formations and historical significance.

It offers a unique blend of adventure and cultural discovery, including the ancient city of Hegra, a Unesco World Heritage Site with well-preserved Nabatean tombs carved into sandstone cliffs.

Saudi Arabia is an all-year-round destination, offering a variety of activities for every season, from the cool highlands of Taif and Abha in the summer to the warm beaches of the Red Sea in the winter.

Taif offers picturesque hiking trails and cultural festivals, enchanting visitors with its rich culture and natural beauty, all year round.

Increased connectivity

Travelling to Saudi Arabia is now more accessible, as Saudi has eased tourist visa requirements, where applicants can now submit a bank statement with a minimum monthly credit amount of $750 or its equivalent, instead of $50,000, to prove financial solvency.

Pakistani travellers can visit the six Tasheer offices established across Pakistan in Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Multan.

Saudi has also introduced the transit visa, which is available for travellers arriving in Saudi via Saudia and Flynas, where they would be able to transit and explore Saudi for up to 96 hours.

In addition, visa on arrival is available for those travellers who hold valid and used UK, US and Schengen visas.