Saudi Arabia: Lifting The Veil

 Always wanted to visit Saudi Arabia’s archaeological and historical sites, such as Mada’in Saleh (pic) and Old Dir’aiyah? Good news: the state has loosened its notoriously selective visa rules. Earlier, only business people, citizens, those visiting relatives, and Hajj and Umrah pilgrims were allowed across the border. Now, for the first time, tourist visas will become a reality and you can finally visit these sites. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage has forwarded the new visa regulations to the government for approval. Additionally, women above 25 can now avail of a 30-day single-entry visa without a male chaperone. Following in Oman’s footsteps, Saudi Arabia has also developed an electronic visa transaction system. This Middle Eastern nation has been attempting to put the right foot forward on many occasions lately. The visa update comes soon after the country announced that women will be allowed to drive from June onwards; the movie theatre ban has also been lifted