RIYADH, 24 November — Saudi nationals traveling to the United States will have to submit, along with their visa applications, a passport-size photograph showing their full face without any head covering. They are also required to give their complete postal address in Saudi Arabia, and not just the P.O. Box.
"These requirements are internationally accepted, but they are being implemented for the first time by the US Embassy, which issued these regulations last week," travel industry sources told Arab News.
It is also understood that all passengers traveling abroad should report at the airport at least three hours in advance. The regulation is being strictly followed in the context of the changed security environment.
The source said traffic to the US and other western destinations has started picking up, although it is much below the level before Sept. 11.
"We are now processing 10-15 passports every day, as against 50 before. By contrast, the number of Saudis visiting Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, has shot up 120 percent," he said, adding that Egypt remained the top attraction among the Middle Eastern destinations.
Meanwhile, Fursan Travel and Tourism has announced that it will launch its website on Saturday, enabling its customers to do booking via the Internet. "An attractive feature of the ‘t-solution’ we are offering is that everyone making on-line reservation or even inquiry will have the opportunity to participate in a lucky draw, for which winners will be picked up by the computer," Antony Pinheiro, business development manager of Fursan Travel & Tourism, said. Mohammad Jamil, operations manager, was also present.
