If you’ve got friends or family visiting from abroad and your trip to Saudi Arabia involves picking them up, dropping them off, or planning a group Umrah, this update is worth a look. The list of countries whose citizens can get a Saudi tourist visa just got longer.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that it has added four new countries to its tourist visa eligibility list: Mexico, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. It’s part of a string of changes to Saudi entry rules we’ve been tracking lately, including the new digital entry app for GCC residents launched last month.
- Citizens of Mexico, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia can now apply for a Saudi tourist visa.
- The visa covers several purposes: events, Umrah, exhibitions, conferences, and visiting relatives or friends.
- Depending on the traveller’s situation, they may use an eVisa, a visa on arrival, or a transit/stopover visa.
- Each visa type has its own eligibility rules, so not every traveller qualifies for every option.
So what actually changed?
Before this announcement, citizens of these four countries were not on Saudi Arabia’s approved list for tourist visas. Now they are. This means they can apply through the usual channels used by other eligible nationalities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the move adds these nationalities to the list of countries whose citizens can obtain a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia for multiple purposes. That phrase, multiple purposes, matters. It means the same visa can cover more than just sightseeing.
According to the Visit Saudi website, the tourist visa lets people attend events, perform Umrah, take part in exhibitions and conferences, and visit relatives or friends living in the Kingdom.
What kind of visa can they use?
The Visit Saudi website lists three main options for citizens of these newly added countries:
- eVisa – applied for online before travel.
- Visa on arrival – issued at the point of entry, for those who qualify.
- Transit or stopover visa – for travellers passing through Saudi Arabia on the way somewhere else.
Each of these comes with its own conditions and paperwork. The ministry was clear that all visits remain subject to Saudi Arabia’s applicable regulations and instructions, so travellers should check the exact requirements for their passport before booking anything.
Does this affect people in Kuwait?
Not directly, since Kuwaiti citizens already have smooth access to Saudi Arabia. But it matters if you’re hosting visitors from Mexico, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, or Serbia who want to continue their trip into Saudi Arabia, whether for Umrah, a family visit, or a conference.
It also fits a wider pattern. Saudi Arabia has been steadily reworking its entry rules this year. We’ve covered the same-day visa process introduced for Pakistan, the fast-track family visas for skilled professionals, and on the stricter side, the recent residency crackdown that tightened rules for others. Travel rules in the region keep shifting, and it’s worth checking our international news for the latest before you plan a trip.
Residents in Kuwait travelling onward through Saudi Arabia, say, on a layover, should also keep an eye on separate alerts. We previously reported on the US warning over Houthi threats at Saudi airports and the extended Riyadh airport shutdown, both of which affected travel plans through the Kingdom this year.
Quick answers
Can citizens of these four countries already apply for a visa?
Yes. Once a country is added to the eligibility list, its citizens can apply through the standard channels, subject to the usual requirements.
Does the tourist visa allow Umrah?
Yes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Visit Saudi website both list Umrah as one of the purposes covered by this visa.
Is a visa on arrival guaranteed for everyone from these countries?
No. Each visa type, including visa on arrival, has its own eligibility requirements. Travellers should check which option applies to them before travelling.
If you’re planning a trip that involves Saudi Arabia soon, whether for yourself or for visiting family, it’s worth checking the latest eligibility rules before booking flights. Have you dealt with the Saudi visa system recently? Let us know how it went in the comments.
📌 Related stories
Latest News
Local
Kuwait opens bank loans under new law 114/2026
2 Local Kuwait Boxing Federation opens season’s first championship Saturday Read more → 3 Local New family law balancing tradition and women’s rights, debate … Read more → 4 Local Majboos in Farwaniya is getting just like Biryani in Lahore Read more → 5 Local Kuwait tells co-ops to stock food, ready 95 shelters Read more → 6 International Ronaldo ends Portugal career after 23 years Read more → 7 5 Cinema Tickets hunt – 8 Clues to find the tickets in Kuwait. Read more → 8 Local Kuwait schools cut second short test for most grades Read more → 9 International Drive and fly the same vehicle Read more → 10 International Trump officials push for new Iran strikes before peace deal Read more → 11 Local 100% pension for caretaker in Kuwait Read more → 12 Local Face recognition and OTP is compulsory for low salary transfers Read more → 13 Local Gulf Bank gets CBK nod to go fully Islamic Read more → 14 International Pakistan registers BIGO LIVE and Likee apps with PTA Read more → 15 Local Your detail in shoun being linked with your bank for confirmation of salary and transfers. Read more →
Leave a Reply