The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and other relevant authorities, has announced the launch of a new 96-hour Stopover Visa for passengers booked on flynas or SAUDIA flights to the Kingdom.

As part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to enhance the convenience of its tourism offerings under Saudi Vision 2030; the new Stopover Visa comes free of charge to passengers travelling to their final destination via any airport in Saudi on SAUDIA or flynas flights. Applications for the visa will be automatically available through the SAUDIA or flynas booking platforms up to 90 days in advance of travel and can be completed in as little as three minutes.

The Stopover Visa will allow passengers to stay in the country for up to 96 hours, enabling more visitors than ever to explore Saudi’s incomparable historical, cultural, and spiritual sites. Visitors can also use the Stopover Visa to break up long-haul flights, extend a business trip or book a bonus trip to experience Saudi’s burgeoning entertainment and seasonal events calendar.

Even more exciting for visitors, Stopover Visa holders will be eligible for a complimentary one-night hotel stay during the stopover when booking through SAUDIA. To help visitors make the most of their stopover, custom 24, 48, 72 and 96-hour itineraries have been developed to inspire visitors to stroll through Jeddah’s Al-Balad, or visit the Al-Turaif district in Diriyah, one of Saudi’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans of reaching 100 million visits annually by 2030 are well on track, with ongoing efforts to modernise and revolutionise the tourism industry seen at every turn. The stopover visa is a huge step in turning Saudi Arabia into a world-class tourism destination.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “The announcement of Saudi’s inaugural Stopover Visa is a landmark example of integrated public and private sector cooperation. Four of the Top Ten global routes were in or out of Saudi airports in 2022, a testament to the appeal of Saudi Arabia to travellers.

Saudi is committed to a seamless visitor experience. In partnership with our national air carriers, SAUDIA and flynas, we are using digital platforms to provide an instant Stopover Visa, which only enhances our world-class offerings.”