SAUDI ARABIA SLASHES VISA FEE FOR PAKISTANIS

Saudi Arabia has drastically reduced visit visa fees for Pakistanis, according to a notification issued by Saudi Arabia’s Embassy in Islamabad.

The massive visa fee cut came ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman’s visit to Pakistan yesterday.

According to a statement issued by the embassy on Saturday, the fee for a single-entry visit visa has now been reduced from 2,000 Saudi riyals ($533 or Dh1,945) to 338 riyals ($90 or Dh328).

The fee for a multiple-entry visit visa was also slashed from 3,000 riyals ($800) to 675 ($180). The reductions have been effective from February 15 and are expected to benefit more than two million Pakistanis who live in Saudi Arabia whose bring their families over on visit visas.

Pakistan reduced visa fees in December for Saudi nationals seeking to travel to the country. The fee for Saudi nationals who intended to visit Pakistan for tourism or for studies was reduced to $60 while the fee for business and work visas was cut to $90.

Pakistanis welcomed the Saudi gesture, branding it a remarkable gesture by Pakistan’s closest Muslim ally.

“This big decrease in visa fees is a special gift for millions of Pakistan from [the] Saudi Crown Prince,” remarked Salma Khalid, a teacher in Islamabad.

“I consider it a blessing for my family and all those planning to visit Saudi Arabia this year for Umrah [pilgrimage].”

Beneficial for pilgrims

The move would be highly beneficial for pilgrims, as well hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis living and working in the kingdom.

Madia Nasim, a Pakistani engineer who has lived in Saudi Arabia for the last five years, told Gulf News: “This is really encouraging news for me and all those Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia as it is more affordable to invite our family members.”

The new visa policy will improve peopleto-people and tourism ties between the two brotherly countries and encourage more Pakistanis to visit the kingdom, said Fahad Aftab, managing partner of Travel One tour company in Islamabad.

“It is a great gesture especially after [the] Pakistan government recently eased its visa policies for several friendly countries, which include Saudi Arabia. We look forward to welcoming tourists from Saudi Arabia,” Aftab told