Saudi Embassy in Cairo Introduces Electronic Visa Service for Travelers from Egypt

Cairo, May 11, 2023 – The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Cairo unveiled today the launch of the electronic visa service catering to travelers from the Arab Republic of Egypt bound for the Kingdom. This new service replaces the conventional visa sticker used for work, visit, and residence purposes.

The announcement took place during a meeting at the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, bringing together Ambassador Osama bin Ahmed Naqli, the Kingdom’s ambassador to Egypt, and members of the Saudi Committee responsible for the launch of electronic visas. Led by Counselor Abdul Rahman Al-Akrish from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the committee comprised representatives from several key government agencies in Saudi Arabia. Participating entities included the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA), the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA).

Counselor Abdul Rahman Al-Akrish outlined the application process for acquiring the Saudi e-Visas from Egypt for work, visit, and residence purposes. The process commences with submitting applications through the online platforms of airlines. These applications are then forwarded to the unified national visa platform of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which handles processing and issues the visa directly. Once approved, the electronic visa is promptly sent to the applicant’s designated email address.

This progressive measure is part of an initiative launched by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this month. The initiative aims to eliminate the traditional visa sticker affixed to passports of travelers visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, replacing it with an electronic visa containing data accessible through a QR code. The implementation of the initiative’s first phase will commence in the embassies and consulates of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across seven countries, namely the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, and Bangladesh.

The introduction of the electronic visa service signifies Saudi Arabia’s commitment to leveraging modern technology to streamline visa processes and enhance the overall travel experience for visitors. This initiative is expected to facilitate smoother entry procedures and contribute to the Kingdom’s efforts in harnessing digital advancements.