Visa for businessmen, investors in 24hrs: Saudi

Dubai, Jan 31: Saudi Arabia has announced that businessmen and investors can now get visas to their country within 24 hours direct from its missions abroad.

Saudi missions abroad have been instructed to issue business visas within 24 hours, on the basis of an application which does not need a Saudi sponsor, an official said.

The only requirement is a letter from the local federation of chambers or an invitation from a Saudi chamber.

People can apply for different visas through the ministry's website: www.mofa.gov.sa, the official said.

The new visa system was introduced to encourage foreign investors to come to the Kingdom which is seeking foreign investment worth SR 2.3 trillion in vital sectors such as gas, petrochemicals, power generation, desalination, tourism, railways and telecommunications.

UNI