SAUDI ANNOUNCES FREE VISA AHEAD OF FIFA WORLD CUP

Saudi Tourism Authority welcomes the extension of Saudi’s multi-entry visa, available to visitors holding the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Hayya Card. For the first time ever, visitors will be able to enter and secure a visa for Saudi free of charge. To make it easier than ever for Hayya Card holders to enter Saudi, the visas will now allow for ‘Hayya with me’ (1+3) – meaning that Hayya Card holders can invite and bring three additional travel companions with them. The three companions must also hold a valid Hayya Card to enjoy free-of-charge entry to the unique, incomparable authentic home of Arabia.

Visas will allow a 60-day stay in Saudi beginning 10 days before the tournament, without fees to issue the visa. Holders of the Hayya Card will be able to apply for their visas online and book a trip to the authentic home of Arabia with confidence, before, during, and after the World Cup, without having to enter Doha first. All Hayya Card holders are eligible for the Saudi visa, providing an opportunity to bring friends and family to visit Saudi with Hayya 1+3.

The announcement encourages first-time and returning visitors alike to explore destinations in close proximity to the World Cup. Saudi is a short hop away making it a practical and convenient destination for World Cup attendees to visit or make a home base during the games. Saudi is expecting to welcome football fans from around the world.

The Hayya Card is required for all World Cup attendees and provides entry into Qatar and the stadiums. Beyond proximity, travelers can enjoy Saudi’s authentic Arabian culture, and adventure and round out their experience while in the region. Saudi will be hosting a dynamic program of entertainment events including MDLBeast, Red Sea Film Festival, Riyadh Season, and Winter at Tantoura in AlUla, all of which take place during the World Cup.

Short hopper flights are available to key Saudi destinations, with flag carrier SAUDIA operating 40 shuttle flights daily to Doha from both Jeddah and Riyadh, increased to 60 daily flights on the Saudi team’s match days. Home to the only land border with host country Qatar, the Salwa Border Crossing between Saudi and Qatar will also be open for travel and the port will have an increased daily capacity of more than 24,000 cars.

Saudi is home to 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites and more than 10,000 archaeological sites, as well as the mountainous Asir region– which includes Rijal Almaa, voted a UNWTO ‘best tourism village’ in 2021, and the arts and culture hub of Jeddah, the Saudi tourism ecosystem continues to transform and evolve.

Saudi has lifted all travel Covid restrictions for international travelers. More information about Saudi’s incomparable tourism offering during the World Cup can be found on the Visit Saudi website: visitsaudi.com/en/the-cup.

To apply for your Saudi multi-entry visa as a Hayya Card holder, visit: visa.mofa.gov.sa/
and follow the process:

• Enter the website
• Choose “Services for Hayya Card holders”
• Click “Apply”
• Register to begin the process of applying for the visa
• Pay for medical insurance