In a dramatic policy shift, Saudi Arabia has taken a momentous step by abolishing visa stickers for Pakistanis and citizens of 12 other countries, including Turkey, Lebanon, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Thailand, Vietnam, Yemen, Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya. Instead, the kingdom has launched an innovative online visa system for employment, residency, visits, and transit purposes.
The decision to eliminate passport visa stickers has already come into effect, leaving many surprised and curious about the implications of this move. According to Saudi media reports, the abolished visa stickers will still remain valid until their expiry dates. However, new passport holders will now receive a digital visa through the Enjaz platform for future travel.
This groundbreaking change means that Saudi embassies and consulates will no longer affix visa stickers to passports. Instead, travelers will have QR-coded e-visas issued alongside the paper visa, providing comprehensive information about their visas’ validity and terms.
The Saudi General Directorate of Passports has communicated this significant development to all airlines, instructing them to accept paper visas printed via the Enjaz platform, making travel more seamless and efficient for millions of visitors.
As Saudi Arabia pioneers this modern visa system, it sets a precedent for other nations, signaling a new era in travel convenience and digitalization.