Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has announced that Maldivians will be granted visa by Saudi Arabian government on-arrival to the Gulf Kingdom.

Expressing gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman for Saudi Arabia's enduring assistance and support to the Maldives, Minister said, "I dont doubt that this decision by the King of Saudi Arabia will prove highly beneficial to many Maldivians traveliing to the kingdom."

Addressing at a press conference, Minister Shahid informed that with the guarantee of visa waiver to the Maldives, as of now, only administrative preparations are underway to complete the process.

Maldivians on Hajj pilgrimage or travelling to Saudi Arabia for work, studies, medical purposes, will not be eligible for the visa. However, for Maldivian tourists and Umrah Pilgrims will be provided with visa on-arrival to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi government will announce a date for the implementation of visa services. Starting from the commencement date, Maldivians will be able to apply for online e-visa prior to travel.

Minister Shahid also revealed that those travelling on single-entry visas will receive a period of 30 days, while multiple-entry one-year visa holders may stay for 90 days. The waiver also decreases visa application fees, with visit visas costing 400 Saudi Riyal along with additional payments for V.A.T and processing.

"With this, Maldives will become the eighth country to be included in the Category A of nations that may travel to Saudi Arabia without visa" said the Minister.

Moreover, Maldives would also be the fourth country outside of the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) member states, and the first country in South Asia, to receive Saudi on-arrival visa.