Saudi Arabia is planning to make tourism a pillar of its economy, freeing itself from the over-dependence on crude oil. According to a report from real estate firm Savills, the kingdom has decided to invest $64 billion in the development of leisure, culture and entertainment projects over the next ten years, says an article by World Travel Market. These projects would significantly add to the attractiveness of the country and position it as one of the most popular tourist destinations.
For promotion of tourism, Saudi Arabia has also introduced a new e-visa policy for citizens of 49 countries, including Belgium. With this visa, tourists can visit the kingdom for up to 90 days within a one-year period. The visa allows you to enter Saudi Arabia multiple times during the one-year period. The process has become much easier for Belgian citizens because of the fewer visa requirements. Belgian citizens are no longer required to take an appointment at the embassy or consulate to get a visa.
What Are The Documents Required For Saudi Arabia Visa?
The Saudi visa document requirements for Belgian citizens are:
VALID PASSPORT
You must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the completion of your intended travel. The passport must also have two adjacent blank pages for the entry stamp.
PHOTOGRAPH
You also need a digital copy of your passport-sized photograph. The photograph must be coloured and taken against a white background. Make sure that you are not wearing any headgear or glasses that might hide parts of your face. The size of the photograph must be between 3KB and 100KB, with dimensions of 200×200 pixels. The accepted formats are .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif and .bmp.
MEANS OF PAYMENT
Since the visa fee needs to be paid online, you will need an active debit or credit card.
EMAIL ADDRESS
The e-visa will be sent to you via email. So, make sure that you have access to a functional email account.
What Is The Application Procedure For The Saudi Arabia E-Visa?
The application process for the electronic visa can be completed in a few simple steps.
VISIT SAUDI ARABIA’S OFFICIAL VISA PORTAL
The process begins by visiting the official e-visa portal of Saudi Arabia. Be careful to visit the official one, as there are many sites that look just like the official one.
CREATE AN ACCOUNT
Next, you need to create an account for yourself on the site. For this, enter your passport type and the country in which your passport has been issued, which is Belgium in this case. Then fill your basic details, such as first name, last name, phone number and email address. You will also have to choose a username and password.
Once you have filled all the information, a confirmation link will be sent to your email address. You can activate your account by clicking on this link within 24 hours.
FILL THE APPLICATION FORM
Once you have successfully activated your account, you can start filling the application form. The form has several pages, so keep enough time on hand to make sure that you fill the form correctly. Any errors could lead to delays or even rejection of your application.
On the form, you will need to fill in your personal details, such as full name, gender, marital status, residential address, and so on. Along with this, you will also need to upload the digital passport-sized photograph mentioned earlier.
MAKE THE PAYMENT
After you have filled the application form, all that is left is to pay the visa fee. The Saudi Arabia e-visa costs SAR 463.44. This amount includes the transaction fee, medical insurance fee and 5% VAT. The health insurance provides you a cover of up to SAR 100,000, in case you face any medical emergency during your stay in Saudi Arabia.
What Are The Best Tourist Spots In Saudi Arabia?
Although alcohol is banned in Saudi Arabia, it does not mean you cannot have fun. Here are some great spots for tourists:
1. THE RUINS OF AL ULA
This is one of the most famous places in Saudi Arabia, located to the northwest of the kingdom. This stunning region is known for its lush citrus farms, golden rock formations and remains of ancient civilizations. However, the ruins are closed until end of 2020.
2. THE MOUNTAINS OF THE SOUTH
These mountains look very different from the image people normally have of Saudi Arabia. After the summer rainstorms, these mountains are filled with greenery. The popular activities here include taking a tour of the historic village of Rijal Alma and hiking.
3. EDGE OF THE WORLD
Riyadh is a vast urban sprawl, filled with traffic. But, just beyond it lies the “Edge of the World.” It is a towering plateau and is a favourite hiking spot for many.
In case you are unsure about the visa process or are a first timer, it is a good idea to use the services of an experienced and reputed agency, such as Rapid Visa. We will take care of all your visa needs, ensuring a completely hassle-free experience.
