Saudi Arabia to lift subsidies on seven services, reports say

Saudi Arabia is preparing to remove subsidies on seven services and apply its new visa scheme starting the new Hijri year, which corresponds to October 2, according to several local newspapers.

The seven services— which are subsidized by 50 percent— are said to be ports, passports, drivers’ licenses, car transfers, traffic violations, renewal of residence permits for domestic workers, and customs protection for 193 commodities.

The cabinet had extended the decision to continue funding these services three years ago.

The government is also planning to start levying fees on municipal services, a decision that was approved by the cabinet last month, the reports added.

Elsewhere, the kingdom will soon start applying its new visa rules, which will fix the entry visa fee at SAR 2,000. First-time Umrah pilgrims, however, will not be charged.

A six-month multiple-entry visa will cost SAR 3,000; 12-month visa will be SAR 5,000; and 24-month visa will cost SAR 8,000. The kingdom will charge SAR 300 for a transit visa, and a three-month exit-reentry visa will cost SAR 500.