Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Tourism has suspended issuing tourist visas for those coming from (China, Italy, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Kazakhstan), in coordination with the competent health authorities in the Kingdom.

The ministry has also decided to temporarily suspend previously issued tourist visas to citizens of the seven countries named in the list.

The ministry also stated that tourist visas issued electronically or upon arrival to citizens of other countries previously permitted will continue, stressing that tourist visa holders are not allowed to visit Makkah or Madinah.

With regard to tourist visas issued to citizens of other countries that are not included in the electronic visa, it is possible to verify the possibility of visiting the Kingdom by calling the phone No. 00966920000890 from outside the Kingdom, the ministry announced.

“As for American, British and Schengen visa holders, they can check the possibility of obtaining the tourist visa through the above-mentioned phone number,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry of Tourism stated that the ultimate goal is to provide the utmost protection to citizens, residents and tourists visiting Saudi Arabia from other countries.

The Ministry of Tourism said, "These procedures are temporary, and are subject to continuous evaluation by the competent authorities."

This is in line with the recommendations of the health authorities concerned with applying the highest precautionary standards, and taking proactive preventive measures to prevent the arrival or spreading of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) to Saudi Arabia. — SPA