• The Stopover Visa will allow passengers to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours.
• Travellers can book flights via SAUDIA and flynas, but must register for Umrah via the Nusuk platform.
• Saudi Arabia’s national carriers, SAUDIA and flynas, have launched the first of its kind in the aviation industry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has announced the launch of a new Stopover Visa in collaboration with the Ministries of Tourism (MT), Interior (MOI), Hajj and Umrah (MOHU), Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), SAUDIA, and flynas.

The complimentary The Stopover Visa is open to more countries than the historic tourism eVisa and is Saudi Arabia’s latest effort to make the destination more accessible. In the first quarter of this year, airline capacity into Saudi Arabia is expected to increase by more than 65% over the same period in 2022, when four of the top ten busiest international routes were to or from Saudi.

The Stopover Visa will allow passengers to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours, allowing more visitors than ever before to explore the country’s unparalleled historical, cultural, and spiritual sites.

The Stopover Visa will also allow travellers to perform the spiritual Umrah ritual. Spiritual travellers can book flights via SAUDIA and flynas, but they must also register for Umrah via the Nusuk platform.

Even better, when booking through SAUDIA, Stopover Visa holders will be eligible for a complimentary one-night hotel stay during the 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 Arabia’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Visitors can also use the Stopover Visa to break up long-haul flights, book a bonus trip to enjoy Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning entertainment and seasonal event calendar, or even extend a business trip on the way to their final destination.

For all passengers flying to their final destination on SAUDIA or flynas airlines, the Stopover Visa application will be automatically available through the airline booking platforms. Any airport in Saudi Arabia can be used for a layover. Many people can complete the application process in under three minutes and apply for up to 90 days before travel.

The Stopover Visa adds another flexible option for visitors to experience the authentic Arabia and will help Saudi Arabia reach its goal of 100 million visits per year by 2030.

Mr. His Excellency Saudi Tourism Minister and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Ahmed Al Khateeb, said:

“The new Stopover Visa is yet another proof point in Saudi’s commitment to developing and encouraging growth in the tourism sector. It is open for travelers passing through Saudi on our national carriers whether for leisure, business or Umrah. We will continue to work together across government and the tourism ecosystem as Saudi transforms into a leading global tourism destination.”

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority, said:

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority

“Today’s 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 destination Saudi.

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 Saudi’s accessibility and our world-class destination offering.”

‏Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of SAUDIA, said:

Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of SAUDIA

“The launch of this innovative and seamless Stopover Visa is the first of its kind in the aviation industry and a significant milestone in our digital transformation program. It is a testament to SAUDIA’s commitment to support the Kingdom’s strategic goal of reaching 100 million visits by 2030 and we are confident it will positively impact the growing number of transit passengers while enhancing our position as a hub that connects East and West. The new service will also encourage passengers to perform Umrah, visit key destinations and attend events and Saudi seasons.”

Bandar Almohanna, CEO and Managing Director of flynas, said:

Bandar Almohanna, CEO and Managing Director of flynas

“Saudi Vision 2030 has laid solid foundations for cooperation between the regulatory and executive sectors on the one hand, and the private sector on the other, with the ambition to support the Kingdom’s goals across all sectors. Today, flynas is proud to be a part of this ecosystem that has enabled Saudi’s national carriers to facilitate the issuance of the new Stopover Visa. This is a welcome development that eases and speeds up the process for our passengers who wish to stop in Saudi for up to 96 hours on the way to their final destination.”

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