Saudis require Schengen visa to visit 19 European countries

JEDDAH: Nineteen European countries are now requiring Saudi tourists to take out Schengen visas if they travel to their shores, including France, Germany and the Netherlands, according to a local travel agency owner.
Speaking to a local newspaper recently, Sami Abdulhadi said the cost to get the Schengen visa varies according to the country of destination. “Bosnia for example charges a fee of SR300, Germany SR1,400, France SR600, and the Netherlands SR900,” he said.
Every country determines the period of validity, with France and Germany three months the first time and two years the second time. Italy has six months and 12 months, he said.
The Schengen area is comprised of 26 countries that have agreed to allow free movement of their citizens within this area as a single country. Of the 26 countries bound by the Schengen agreement, 22 are part of the European Union and four part of the European Free Trade Area.
Meanwhile, Abdulhadi said air fares to America range from SR3,500 to SR4,000 off-season and up to SR7,000 during summer. To the United Kingdom the prices range from SR2,900 to SR3,000, to France from SR3,500 to SR4,000 and to Bosnia from SR2,300 to SR2,400, he said.
He said this year’s summer would be one of the longest in recent years, because it runs from Ramadan until Dhul Hijjah. Many people have already started booking their trips, with most tourists heading to the United States, he said.
He said European countries were the second most popular destination, mainly to the United Kingdom and France, while Asian countries ranked third. Travel to Turkey has declined because of the security situation in that country, he said.
However, he said more people were traveling to Egypt now that the Kingdom has issued a travel advisory for Saudis to stay away from that country, and with transfers from banks being stopped too.