Saudi Arabia demands pilgrims to pay extra taxes

SANAA, Nov. 22 (YPA) – As part of its efforts to cover the large deficit in its public budget, Saudi Arabia continues to hold citizens and residents accountable for filling its financial deficits in various ways .

On Saturday, the Saudi government imposed a fine of 300 riyals ($80) on anyone who wants to extend visit to the kingdom for four days.

The Cabinet  said in a statement,  that it had agreed to amend a paragraph of the schedule of the structure of visas for visits Hajj and Aumrah.

The amendment explained that a pass visa for visits, whether by land, sea or air, is given for 48 hours at a fee of 100 riyals ($26.50), and if the visitor wants to stay for 96 hours, the estimated fee is 300 riyals.

In early November, the kingdom allowed pilgrims to come from abroad after a seven-month ban due to the repercussions of the Coronavirus (COVID-19 ) pandemic.

The decision coincided with the kingdom hosting the G20 leaders’ summit, which will be held by default this year due to the circumstances of the pandemic, and has faced sharp criticism and international calls for non-participation due to Saudi crimes in Yemen.

Over the past years, the Kingdom has increased the frequency with which fines and residence fees are applied to residents and visitors in an effort to boost its non-oil sources of income and reduce the presence of expatriates for citizens.

E.M