HK passport holders to enjoy visa-on-arrival entry to 6 Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia

Starting Wednesday, Hong Kong SAR passport holders visiting Saudi Arabia can obtain at designated ports of entry a visa-on-arrival that allows for a stay of up to 90 days with multiple entries. Meanwhile, the visa-free period for Saudi nationals in Hong Kong will be extended from 30 to 90 days.

The news was announced by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday morning as he addressed the press before his weekly Executive Council meeting.

According to the new arrangement, Hong Kong SAR passport holders traveling to the six Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman, will enjoy visa-on-arrival or visa-free access.

The designated ports of the Middle East kingdom where on-arrival visas would be available includes four airports and two land ports.

They are King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdul-Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, King Fahad International Airport in Dammam and Prince Mohammed bin Abdul-Aziz International Airport in Medinah, while the two land parts are King Fahad Bridge Land Port connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain as well as Al Bathaa Land Port between Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

There are two types of Saudi tourist visas that Hongkongers are eligible for: a single-entry visa for a maximum stay of 30 days, and a multiple-entry visa for a maximum stay of 90 days.

Currently, Hong Kong residents need to apply for a visa online before departing for Saudi Arabia. The multiple-entry visa remains valid for one year, and each stay must not exceed 90 days.

(Updated at 7.25 pm)