Saudi Arabia has loosened its notoriously tight visa laws, with foreign businessmen now allowed to visit the kingdom without requiring documentation from a local sponsor.
The new rule is part of a bid by the kingdom to promote international trade, Saudi daily Arab News reported on Monday.
However, the new rules, which will come into operation in September, do not appear to allow female business executives the same luxury.
In a directive on April 27, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed Saudi embassies to issue visas to foreign businessmen provided they are satisfied they are genuine businessmen, and coming to the kingdom for business purpose, the newspaper said.
The directive means international businessmen will be able to secure visas without the need for a letter from a Saudi sponsor, and are no longer required to provide invitations from local Saudi firms and the kingdom’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
However, the government will insist on a sponsor letters from Saudi businesses if applicants are unable to satisfactorily establish their credentials, the newspaper said.
Riyadh Al-Kheneini, deputy chief of mission at the Saudi Embassy in Colombo, told the newspaper his department has been told to issue visas to Sri Lankan businessmen within 24 hours.
During a visit to the kingdom in February, Alderman David Lewis, lord mayor of the City of London, requested Saudi authorities ease visa regulations for UK businessmen to promote bilateral trade.
“We want you to have an easy visa system to enable our businessmen to visit your country as and when needed,” Lewis said, noting British missions in Saudi had adopted a 24-hour visa service for Saudi students, businessmen and tourists.
Tourist visas to the kingdom are not issued while business visas are not easily granted, and can take up to three months to acquire.
Current rules allow businesswomen and women investors to get entry visas on condition they have a close relative accompanying them, are working in the kingdom, or are part of a business delegation.
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