Saudi Arabia is making it easier for tourists and business visitors! Now, visitors can use their foreign driving licenses for up to a year in the kingdom. This move is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to attract more tourists and diversify its economy beyond oil.

The Saudi General Traffic Department has clarified that visitors can use either their international driving license or a valid foreign license for one year, starting from the date of entering the kingdom or until the expiry date, depending on which comes first.

This change comes as Saudi Arabia has been introducing various facilities to encourage tourism, such as offering tourist visas on arrival or through online applications for citizens of several nationalities. In addition, the kingdom launched a business visit electronic visa known as the "visiting investor visa" to make it easier for foreigners to explore investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has set an ambitious goal of welcoming 25 million foreign tourists this year, making it a more accessible and attractive destination for travelers. The country has also introduced measures to facilitate visits for Muslims coming to perform Umrah or lesser pilgrimage.

Now, Muslims with different types of entry visas, including personal, visit, and tourism visas, can undertake Umrah and visit Al Rawda Al Sharifa, which houses the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Additionally, Saudi citizens can apply for visas to invite their friends from abroad to visit the kingdom and perform Umrah.

Saudi Arabia has even issued stopover transit visas, allowing travelers to perform Umrah, visit the Prophet’s Mosque, and attend various events across the kingdom. This four-day transit visa is valid for 90 days, making it easier than ever for tourists and pilgrims to explore all that Saudi Arabia has to offer.