A New Era of Visa Processing
Saudi Arabia has recently made a significant change in its visa process by replacing the traditional visa sticker with a QR code-based electronic visa (e-visa) for seven countries. This new system aims to simplify and speed up the visa process while increasing transparency.
Seven Countries in the First Phase
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia has launched this initiative, initially activating it for the Kingdom’s missions in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The change took effect on May 1.
With this new system, visa holders no longer need to have a sticker on their passports. Instead, they will receive an email with their visa information and a QR code, which they can print on an A-4 size paper as a hard copy. Immigration authorities can then simply scan the QR code to access the visa details.
This e-visa initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a plan to implement digital governance gradually. It applies to employment, visit, and residence visas, making the process more efficient and transparent.
Eliminating Travel Agents as Intermediaries
One significant advantage of this new system is the elimination of travel agents as intermediaries in the visa process. This will help reduce processing time and prevent potential issues with travel agents.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s switch to QR code-based e-visas marks a significant step towards digital governance and increased efficiency. By implementing this new system, the country aims to provide a more transparent and straightforward visa process for citizens of the seven countries involved, ultimately benefiting both travelers and immigration authorities.
