RIYADH - Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism has unveiled an expansion of its electronic visitor visa to include nationals from six additional countries, bringing the total count to 63.
The new countries covered are Turkiye, Thailand, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, and Mauritius and citizens from these nations can apply for the tourist visa online or obtain it upon arrival at any of the Kingdom's international airports.
The visa allows for tourism, Umrah visits outside of the Hajj season, attending events, exhibitions, conferences, and visiting friends and relatives.
The visa grants multiple entries, remains valid for a full year, and permits stays of up to 90 days in visible facilitation for the flyers introduced by the Saudi authorities.
The Kingdom welcomes the world by expanding and streamlining the E-visa issuance to six new countries, allowing for electronic issuance or at Kingdom entry points, to provide an unforgettable travel experience. pic.twitter.com/SBdUI6yULI
— وزارة السياحة (@Saudi_MT) October 17, 2023
The authorities have warned that visitors must leave the kingdom before the specified duration of stay stated on the visitor visa and a visitor visa does not permit performing Umrah during the Hajj season.
It is to be highlighted that a visitor e-visa is also granted to holders of valid Schengen, UK and US visas that have been used to enter those countries before arriving in Saudi Arabia, and to permanent residents of EU and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the UK and the US.
Saudi Arabia is fast transforming its visa regulations in a bid to attract tourists as part of its Vision 2030 which entails increasing the tourism sector's contribution to GDP and creating a million job opportunities.
The figures also portray a favorable picture as in 2022, the holy Kingdom recorded 94 million visits, a remarkable 93 percent surge from the previous year, resulting in a tourism expenditure of SR185 billion ($49 billion).
The authorities in Saudi Arabia expect 100 million visits by 2030 and raise the tourism sector's GDP contribution to 10 percent. For this year, the kingdom also managed to receive over 2 million Hajj pilgrims which was the first time after the Covid-19 that the country welcomed pilgrims in such large numbers.
Previously, the facility of e-visa was granted to Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, South Africa, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Pakistani rupee witnessed marginal losses against US dollar, and other currencies in the open market.
On Wednesday, the dollar was being quoted at 285.6 for selling and 288.65 for buying purposes.
Euro price stands at 312 for buying and 315 for selling. British Pound rate stands at 360 for buying, and 363 for selling.
UAE Dirham AED stands at 78.25 whereas the Saudi Riyal also witnessed fall and new price stands at 76.25.
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
US Dollar | USD | 285.6 | 288.65 |
Euro | EUR | 312 | 315 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 360 | 363 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 78.25 | 79 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 76.25 | 77.25 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 187.2 | 189 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 750.11 | 758.11 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 209 | 211 |
China Yuan | CNY | 39.58 | 39.98 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 41.38 | 41.78 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 36.24 | 36.59 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.39 | 3.5 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 1.55 | 1.63 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 914.36 | 923.36 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 60.38 | 60.98 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 173.44 | 175.44 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 26.25 | 26.55 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 741.26 | 749.26 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 77.63 | 78.33 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 211 | 213 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 26.93 | 27.23 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 320.1 | 322.6 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 8.01 | 8.16 |
KARACHI – The gold price moved up down in the local market in line with massive increase in international market.
On Wednesday, the single tola of 24 Karat gold was available at Rs218,000, and the price for 10-gram gold saw an increase of Rs943 to reach Rs186,900.
Meanwhile, the 22 Karat Gold price stands at Rs199,830, 21 karat rate for each tola is Rs190,750 and 18k gold rate hoveres around Rs163,500.00.
In international market, the price of precious metal went up by $29 to settle at $2,044 per ounce.
City | Gold | Silver |
Lahore | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Karachi | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Islamabad | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Peshawar | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Quetta | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Sialkot | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Attock | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Gujranwala | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Jehlum | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Multan | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Bahawalpur | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Gujrat | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Nawabshah | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Chakwal | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Hyderabad | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Nowshehra | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Sargodha | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Faisalabad | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
Mirpur | PKR 218,000 | PKR 2,610 |
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