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IMPACT – MEDIUM
The Saudi Arabian government has expanded the availability of its e-visa for tourism to more foreign nationals.
Key Points:
Additional Information: Eligible individuals can apply for a visa at the nearest Saudi embassy. To apply for a visa through an embassy, applicants must have provide proof of accommodation, a return ticket, proof of employment, a bank statement, a flight itinerary and a home address.
BAL Analysis: The Saudi Arabian government has made e-visas for tourism available to more foreign nationals to help the country’s economy recover from COVID-19.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Saudi Arabian government has announced that it will allow foreign nationals traveling for the 2022 World Cup to apply for short-term visas to enter Saudi Arabia.
Additional Information: Beginning Nov. 1, foreign nationals must have a Hayya Card, or special identification card, to enter Qatar. In order to obtain a Hayya Card, applicants will need to show that they have tickets for a World Cup match between Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 and accommodations for their time in Qatar.
BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals who hold a Hayya Card and are traveling to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup will be able to apply for short-term visas to enter Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities are expected to provide application instructions for the short-term visa in the coming months.
Government offices will close in three weeks in Muslim countries throughout the world for Eid al-Adha.
Background: Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, Eid-e-Ghorban, Kurban Bayramı or Hari Raya, marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage.
BAL Analysis: Government services slow down throughout the Eid al-Adha season and many government offices will close for extended periods of time. Embassies and consulates around the world also observe the holiday, though schedules vary. Overseas applicants should contact their relevant embassy or consulate for specific holiday schedules. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid holiday-related delays.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Saudi Arabian government has ended its COVID-19 testing and quarantine entry requirements and lifted its suspension of direct flights from certain countries.
Additional Information: Foreign nationals under the age of 12 are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Foreign nationals who hold a Visit Visa are required to have health insurance that covers COVID-related health issues to be able to enter the country.
BAL Analysis: The response to COVID-19 continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
The Saudi Press Agency announced on Tuesday that the validity of residency permits, exit and re-entry visas and visitor visas would be extended until the end of September.
BAL Analysis: The extension was made as an effort to mitigate the effect and repercussions of the ongoing pandemic. The response to COVID-19 continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Saudi Press Agency recently announced that the validity of residency permits, exit and re-entry visas and visitor visas would be extended until the end of August.
This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Government offices will close next week in Muslim countries throughout the world for the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Background: Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, Eid-e-Ghorban, Kurban Bayramı or Hari Raya, marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and will begin on or around July 19.
BAL Analysis: Government services slow down throughout the Eid al-Adha season and many government offices will close for extended periods of time. Embassies and consulates around the world also observe the holiday, though schedules may vary. Overseas applicants should contact their relevant embassy or consulate for specific holiday schedules. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid holiday-related delays.
Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
IMPACT – HIGH
The Saudi Arabian government has lifted travel restrictions for 11 countries as of May 31.
BAL Analysis: Travel restrictions and suspensions can change with little to no notice and individuals should consult their immigration provider to best understand current travel regulations to the country. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Ministry of Health have announced a series of updates and modifications to travel guidelines and vaccine policies.
Additional Information: Travelers will not be permitted entry into Saudi Arabia without showing their health status through the government-approved app, Tawakkalna. Individuals who are fully vaccinated, have received one dose of the vaccine or are immune through prior infection, within the last six months, will have travel insurance available to them.
The travel ban will continue to apply to individuals who have traveled in or transited through any of the following countries in the 14 days before entering Saudi Arabia: Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom or the United States.
All employees working in the public, private and nonprofit sectors are required by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) to get the COVID-19 vaccine before returning to the workplace. The Ministry will announce details around the timeline and mechanism of the mandatory vaccination which should help employers set their plans accordingly.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States, which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
Saudi Arabia has extended the duration of stay for the country’s new short-term work visas.
Analysis & Comments: The increased duration is welcome news that will give eligible employers additional flexibility when bringing foreign nationals to Saudi Arabia for short-term assignments. While visa quotas are now available, visa stickers may be difficult to obtain at this time because of COVID-19 entry restrictions. Employers needing to bring foreign nationals to Saudi Arabia for short-term work are encouraged to work closely with Deloitte to determine their best options.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.