The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Tourism recently stated on Twitter that visit visas to the kingdom cannot be renewed, in response to a query from a Twitter user about the possibility of renewing a tourist visa without leaving the country. However, earlier this month, Saudi Arabia announced a major change to the visa application process for residents of GCC countries, allowing them to apply for tourist visas regardless of their profession. The visa will be valid for tourism and Umrah visits and can be obtained as a single entry or multiple entry visa. The cost of the visa for GCC residents is SR300 ($80), and applicants must have a valid GCC residency document for at least three months and a passport that is valid for at least six months.
The Saudi Tourism Authority has been expanding tourism operations to attract regional tourists and provide more activities for visitors coming from GCC countries. The latest visa update comes as Saudi Arabia has committed $550 billion to new tourism destinations by 2030, making it the world’s biggest investor in tourism.