Saudi Arabia New Visa Policy 2026

Saudi Arabia has introduced a revised visit visa policy that directly affects Pakistani travellers, along with citizens of 13 other countries. The change impacts tourism, business, and family visit visas and is already influencing travel planning for thousands of people.

As of 1 February 2025, Saudi authorities have stopped issuing one-year multiple-entry visit visas to Pakistani nationals. Instead, eligible applicants can now receive only a single-entry visit visa valid for 30 days.

What Exactly Has Changed:

Here’s a clear breakdown of the new rules:

• Multiple-entry visit visas are no longer available for Pakistanis under tourism, business, or family visit categories.
• Applicants can now receive only a single-entry visa, allowing a maximum stay of 30 days.
• Biometric verification is mandatory and must be completed at authorised Etimad visa centres in Pakistan.
• In April 2025, short-term visit visas for affected countries were temporarily suspended ahead of the Hajj season.

Why Did Saudi Arabia Revise Its Visa Policy?

Saudi authorities have indicated several reasons behind this decision:

• Preventing misuse of visit visas during Hajj and Umrah seasons.
• Reducing overstays and repeat short-term entries.
• Improving immigration monitoring for high-volume visitor countries.
• Aligning visitor management with Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on regulated tourism and controlled entry systems.

How This Affects Pakistani Travellers:

The impact will be felt most by frequent travellers:

• Each trip now requires a new visa application, increasing time and cost.
• Families visiting relatives must plan carefully within the 30-day limit.
• Business travellers with recurring visits may find short-term visas impractical.
• Travel agencies and employers need to adjust budgets and timelines.
• Processing times may increase due to biometric requirements.

For many travellers, this means rethinking how often and for how long they travel to Saudi Arabia.

Check Also: Free Saudi Arabia Work Visa for Pakistanis

Which Visas Are Affected:

Tourism, family visit, and short-term business visas are directly affected, with multiple-entry options removed and single-entry visas limited to 30 days.

Hajj, Umrah, work, residence, and diplomatic visas remain largely unchanged, as they operate under separate systems and regulations.

Some business quota or block visas saw temporary suspensions in April 2025, particularly during peak pilgrimage preparations.

What Pakistani Travellers Should Do Now:

If you’re planning a trip to Saudi Arabia:

• Apply early and confirm your visa category.
• Plan travel dates carefully within the 30-day limit.
• Complete biometrics at Etimad centres with accurate documentation.
• Budget for repeat applications if travel is frequent.
• Consider long-term visa options if you need regular access to Saudi Arabia.
• Stay updated, as policies may evolve after the Hajj season.

Conclusion:

Saudi Arabia’s updated visa policy marks a noticeable shift for Pakistani travellers. While it reduces flexibility for frequent short visits, understanding the new rules early can help avoid delays, extra costs, and last-minute changes. With careful planning and the right visa choice, travel to the Kingdom remains possible, just more structured than before.

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