DUSHANBE — Tajikistan has issued an official decision stipulating that Saudi citizens are exempted from entry visas to the Republic of Tajikistan for a stay of 30 days, effective Jan. 1, 2022.

In a statement issued Friday, Tajikistan Embassy in Riyadh said that the decision reflects the distinguished relations between the two countries.

It also highlights Tajikistan's keenness to strengthen and develop cooperation with the Kingdom in all fields of common interest, as this decision represents an unprecedented step in the course of bilateral ties.

Under this decision, the Saudi citizens can travel to and stay in Tajikistan for a maximum of 30 days without the need for a visa in advance.

Tajikistan visa on arrival is also available for Saudi citizens. The stay is usually short with a period of 6 weeks and visa expires in 45 days. Applicant is required to be present when applying for Tajikistan visa on arrival

Tajikistan has also granted Maldivians to travel to the country without the need to acquire a prior visa.

According to a Tweet posted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives Abdulla Shahid the government of the Central-Asian country granted on-arrival visas for Maldivians.

An ecstatic minister stated that this arrangement will “surely boost cultural and civilizational links between our countries”.

With this arrangement, Maldivians will be allowed to travel to Tajikistan without acquiring prior visa from Jan. 1, 2022 onwards.

Since November 2018, so far Russia, Morocco, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates have granted on-arrival visas for Maldivians.

Further visa facilitations were also announced for Maldivian travelers to India, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia. Maldivian travelers may also acquire Schengen visa to travel to multiple countries in Europe. — SPA/SG