Pilgrims to pay more as Saudi increases visa fees

The Cabinet of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced a new visa regime.

The decision, taken on Monday, according to Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammed bin Naif, was based on a recommendation of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy and Planning on increasing non-oil revenue.

Under the new regime, a one-time entry visa fee will be SR2,000, but the state will bear this fee if a visitor is coming to the Kingdom for the first time to perform Haj or Umrah.

The multiple exit/re-entry visa fee will be SR3,000 for six months, SR5,000 for one year and SR8,000 for two years.

The transit visa fee will be SR300. The departure visa fee will be SR50 for those leaving the Kingdom through seaports.

The exit/re-entry visa fees will be as follows:

• SR200 for a single trip for two months as maximum and SR100 for each additional month, within the limits of the duration of the residence permit’s validity.

• SR500 for multiple trips for three months and SR200 for each additional month within the limits of the duration of the residence permit’s validity.

A royal decree has been prepared for this purpose and the attached decision’s draft stipulates that the application of the provisions of this decision shall be as of Muharram 1, 1438, corresponding to Oct. 2, 2016.The Cabinet also decided to make the following amendments to the Traffic Regulation issued by Royal Decree No. (M/85) on 26/10/1428 AH:

Adding three new paragraphs to Article 68 as follows:

• A fine of not less than SR1,000 and not more than SR2,000, according to the schedule of offenses No. (5) attached to this regulation.

• A fine of not less than SR3,000 and not more than SR6,000, with the vehicle’s seizure until the violation is removed, according to the schedule of offenses No. (6) attached to this regulation.

• A fine not less than SR5,000 and not exceeding SR10,000 with the vehicle’s seizure until the violation is removed, according to the schedule of offenses No. (7) attached to this regulation.”

The amendment of Article 63 of the Regulation reads as follows:

“Subject to the provisions in Articles 61 and 62 of this regulation, any driver involved in a crash shall stop the vehicle at the scene and take the initiative to inform the competent department and provide possible assistance to the victims of the incident.

“If he fails do so, he shall be fined with not more than SR10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both.”

Amendment of the end of Article 64 of the regulation will be as follows: “Anyone violating this shall be punished with a fine of not less than SR10,000 and not more than SR50,000 for the first time, and if the offense is for the second time, the fine for the first time shall be doubled and if the offense is for the third time, the fine for the second time shall be doubled with the closing of the workshop permanently.”