Saudi Arabia has introduced a new travel policy that restricts access to its e-transit visa to visitors from just 18 selected “Group A” nations, causing alarm and confusion among many regular travelers. The e-transit visa, which granted travelers up to 96 hours of stay while transiting through the Kingdom, will now be granted only if their travel plan involves one of these selected countries, officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed.
The action is part of the Kingdom’s initiatives aimed at furthering travel security, simplifying immigration control, and regulating tourism traffic in the wake of increasing regional travel. As Saudi Arabia further endeavors to spur tourism development through programs such as Vision 2030, this specific restriction limits access for thousands of global visitors who previously used the transit visa for brief excursions or religious tourism.
The impacted travelers—especially those from South Asia, Africa, and some Eastern European countries—will now have to change their travel plans or seek alternative visas if they intend to transit via Saudi Arabia. The authorities have not yet made the complete list of Group A countries public but have confirmed that the list comprises a number of Western and GCC countries.
Saudi officials said the adjustment is temporary, and the visa policy will be reviewed from time to time. Meanwhile, airlines and travel agencies are being asked to clearly notify passengers at the time of booking. The move highlights how quickly changing visa policies can affect global mobility, even as Saudi Arabia aims to become a significant regional travel hub.
