From January 15, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders can apply for a tourist visa upon arrival through six designated control points in Saudi Arabia, the Immigration Department announced today.

The tourist visa can be either a single-entry visa for a maximum stay of 30 days, or a multiple-entry visa for a maximum stay of 90 days.

Hong Kong SAR passport holders may also apply for an eVisa to visit Saudi Arabia prior to their visit, the department noted.

Separately, with effect from January 15, the visa-free period for nationals of Saudi Arabia to visit the Hong Kong SAR will be extended to 90 days.

The department pointed out that the visa-on-arrival and eVisa arrangements will bring greater travel convenience to Hong Kong SAR passport holders visiting Saudi Arabia.

It added that such arrangements, along with the extension of the visa-free visit period for Saudi Arabia nationals, will enhance tourism, cultural and economic ties between the two places.