Hong Kong passport-holders visiting Saudi Arabia will be eligible for visa-on-arrival at designated ports, starting this Wednesday, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has announced.

The new arrangement includes multiple entry visas with a maximum stay of 90 days,

Meanwhile, visa-free stays for Saudi passport holders in Hong Kong will be extended from 30 to 90 days.

Speaking to the media before the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee revealed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has successfully negotiated new entry regulations with Saudi Arabia. The two measures will take effect on the same day, and the Immigration Department will announce the details later, he added.

Lee said that this development signifies that holders of Hong Kong passports can now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to the six member countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

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Noting that Saudi Arabia is a country involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, an Immigration Department spokesman said the visa-on-arrival and eVisa arrangements will bring greater travel convenience to SAR passport holders visiting Saudi Arabia.

These arrangements and the extension of the visa-free visit period for nationals of Saudi Arabia will enhance tourism, cultural and economic ties between the two places, added the spokesman.

As of today, 172 countries and regions have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to Hong Kong passport holders.

Earlier, the government revealed that it is planning to establish an Economic and Trade Office in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital, with a view to enhancing the economic and trade relations with GCC member states. 

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com