The e-stopover visa, commonly used by transiting passengers, will now be granted only to those travelling from or to countries listed under “Group A” by the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority.
Eligible countries include Canada, the United States, Austria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, and Mauritius.
A source familiar with the matter told Cairo 24 that the service is “strictly limited to travellers whose flight itineraries either originate from or are bound for one of these countries.” The updated policy aims to streamline the visa process and prioritise passengers with predictable travel routes.
Saudia clarified that applicants must already hold a valid visa for at least one of the approved countries and must have previously used that visa to enter the country. This requirement, the airline said, is designed to “ensure credibility and compliance” with the Kingdom’s latest visa regulations.
The e-stopover visa allows eligible travellers to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours and is often used to perform Umrah or visit key cities during transit.