96-hour eVisa program expected to boost Malaysian Tourism to Saudi Arabia

KUALA LUMPUR: The eVisa and 96-hour transit visa program is expected to attract more Malaysian tourists to Saudi Arabia, according to Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) for the Asia Pacific (APAC) market.

He stated that the program, introduced by the Saudi Arabian government, is designed not only for performing Umrah but also for exploring the country’s cultural diversity.

He noted that the ongoing initiative now includes 66 countries, including Malaysia.

“Malaysians can take advantage of the free 96-hour transit visa or opt for an approved eVisa for those traveling for work or religious purposes.

“This visa is valid for up to 90 days for Umrah, and travelers can choose to extend their stay to visit other destinations such as Jeddah, Riyadh, or AlUla,” he told the media at the launch of the Saudi Tourism Exhibition led by STA.

Additionally, Alhasan mentioned that Malaysian travelers can now apply for Umrah visas via the Nusuk app, available in Malay.

He said the free 96-hour transit visa was first launched early last year in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s national carrier.

“We have also streamlined the visa process for holders of U.S., U.K., or Schengen visas, who are eligible for e-visas or visas on arrival.

“In terms of connectivity, there are four airlines (Saudia, AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, and Batik Air) flying to four cities in Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, and Madinah),” he added.

The exhibition runs for five days at IOI City Mall Putrajaya from August 28 to September 1.

Visitors to the exhibition will also have the chance to access exclusive offers such as buying one Saudi Arabian ticket and receiving a 50% discount on the second ticket, enjoy various exciting performances, and win many great prizes.

Alhasan further stated that the Saudi authorities welcome all Malaysians to travel to the country, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia is an authentic destination with a deep cultural heritage and genuine hospitality.

He noted that many interesting destinations can be explored, including Al Balad in Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage site rich in traditional Saudi life and unique architecture over 1,000 years old, Al Alawi, and Souk Al Baghdadiyah, among others.

“The Malaysian market is important to Saudi tourism, with Malaysia ranked 20th globally in terms of Muslim population,” he said.

He added that Malaysia holds a special place in the hearts of Saudis due to its cultural and traditional values.

In 2023, Saudi Arabia emerged as one of the top long-haul destinations for Malaysian travelers, accounting for 23% of long-haul travel.

“We saw a 15% increase in the number of Malaysian travelers last year compared to 2022.

“This year, in terms of leisure travel, Malaysia is the fourth largest source market for APAC and the 15th largest source market globally for Saudi Arabia,” he concluded.