With FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022^TM fast approaching, a great step was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Saudi Arabia welcoming Hayya Card holder football fans allowing them to stay in the country for up to 60 days.

The announcement did come about with certain conditions that are to be followed to the dot.  Unified National Platform should be utilized to attain the e-visa. Details of further steps are yet to be announced. The ones with the e-visa luckily are allowed to enter and exit Saudi Arabia multiple times during the legitimacy of their visa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes all holders of the (Hayya) card to the fans of the #FIFAWorldCupQatar202. pic.twitter.com/OnLaKkGTLJ

— Foreign Ministry ?? (@KSAmofaEN) August 24, 2022

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared on Wednesday that the country will permit all the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022^TM fans who are holders of the Hayya Card to spend as long as 60 days in the Kingdom during the World Cup season. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Qatar between November 20, 2022 till December 18, 2022.

In a statement carried out by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry adds that it will accept applications for entry visas into the Kingdom in accordance with the following terms and conditions.

Ten days prior to the start of the mega event, Hayya Card holders would get permission to enter the Kingdom. All visitors are required to obtain an electronic visa through the Unified National Platform for Visas. The statement added that the ministry will announce further details about the procedure of submitting the visa application and also about the mechanism of getting the visa at a later date.

Individuals who are bearers of the visa are qualified to enter and exit Saudi Arabia several times during the validity period of their visa. Moreover, it is not a requirement to have pre-entry to Qatar before arrival in the Saudi nation.

There is no exemption on the medical insurance therefore it shall be obtained before coming over to the Kingdom.

Hayya Card being the main entry permit for all international visitors landing between November 1, 2022, and January 23, 2023, serves as stadium access along with the match ticket. An upgraded registration method and operational processes office has been introduced to ensure an optimal experience for fans. Local and International fans holding tickets need to submit applications for the digital Hayya Card which provides the ability to plan the movement of fans along with free use of public transportation while attending a number of events and activities accompanying the tournament. It is confirmed that fans who obtained tickets and registered on the digital Hayya platform can register on the official residence platform for the tournament to choose the accommodation that best suits them. The activation of the digital Hayya card will start at the beginning of November 2022. Currently, its application is available in Arabic and English but later five official FIFA languages will be added.

Previously, the local airlines have informed already of providing numerous daily shuttle flights during the competition for football fans traveling to Qatar from across the Gulf Peninsula. As per Saudi Arabia, 40 flights a day will operate while carriers in the UAE, Kuwait, and Oman announced similar news.

---

Instagram - @qatarliving

Twitter - @qatarliving

Facebook - Qatar Living

YouTube - qatarlivingofficial

source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

cover image credit : World Bank Group