RIYADH, 6 September — Saudi citizens intending to visit Canada will henceforth need to obtain temporary resident visas. The new rule takes immediate effect, it was announced yesterday.
Saudis, who were not previously required to obtain visas to visit Canada, needed them as of yesterday.
Canadian Ambassador Melvyn L. MacDonald yesterday announced the opening of a visa office at Ottawa’s embassy here following his government’s decision.
Canadian Embassy will begin receiving visa applications from Saturday. The embassy has brought in new staff to meet the demand for temporary resident visas.
Travelers have been asked to contact the Canadian Embassy, Canadian Commission or Canadian Consulate for details on how to apply for a temporary resident visa for Canada. A single entry visa will cost C$75, which is the same around the world. Citizens from 146 countries require visas to visit Canada.
It is the first time that visa applications for Saudis have been introduced. Visit and immigration visas for expatriates used to be issued by the embassy from Riyadh till Nov. 1997 when the consular office was shifted to Abu Dhabi. “However, immigration visas for expats will continue to be processed from Riyadh,” said Syed Masood, vice president of Al Atawi Co., agent for Buysse Immigration Consultancy that handles immigration visa applications for Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
“This visa requirement comes as a result of an ongoing review of Canada’s policy which has recently led to new visa requirements for citizens of eight other countries,” the ambassador said, adding that Canadian nationals also need visas to travel to Saudi Arabia. “However, reciprocity is not a basis on which visa policy is decided.”
“Our new visa office will provide services in Riyadh so that Saudi residents can be served in the Kingdom,” the ambassador observed.
Visa applications are expected to take approximately two weeks for processing. He said the requirement for visas was not decided lightly or in isolation. Citizens of other Gulf countries already need visas to enter Canada.
Earlier, during his meeting with Minister of Interior Prince Naif, visiting Canadian Minister Don Boudria said that his country remained committed to continuing and broadening the economic, tourist and academic relations with Saudi Arabia. “This measure should not impede the travel of business, student and tourist visitors to Canada, which we very much welcome,” he pointed out.
According to Yves Duval, second secretary, (Political, Public Affairs) at the Canadian Embassy, Canada had to lift the exemption for temporary resident visa for the Kingdom due to concerns about the abuse of Saudi passports. “The Saudi Arabian passport is vulnerable to alteration and photo substitution making it a target for people smugglers, irregular migrants and those who pose security concerns.”
Official statistics show that approximately 12,000 residents in the Kingdom had traveled to Canada last year. The figure includes Saudis and expatriates as well as those who visited Canada more than once in the same year.
