The US said on Saturday that it would increase the duration of Saudi nationals’ travel visas from five to ten years beginning on August 1.
The move comes a day after US President Joe Biden traveled to the Middle East for the first time as president and arrived in Saudi Arabia for a two-day official visit. While there, he met with Saudi King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and other top Saudi officials.
The US Mission stated that the goal of extending the validity of visit visas is to promote travel and trade between the two nations.
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“Facilitating travel contributes to the prosperity of the economies of the Kingdom and the United States, boosts commercial partnerships and enhances mutual understanding between American and Saudi citizens,” the statement read.
The US Mission stated that the visa extension complements the Interview Waiver Program, which was introduced earlier this year and exempts Saudi nationals 50 years of age or older from having to go through personal interviews to renew their tourist visas to the US.
