Saudi visa fee hikes spark protests in neighbouring Jordan

As oil-rich but cash-strapped Saudi Arabia moves to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon revenues in a time of falling oil prices, it has dramatically hiked fees on entry visas, affecting visitors, pilgrims and even truck drivers bringing in cargo across the border.

On Saturday, the Saudi government decided to raise visa fees on truckers travelling from countries like neighbouring Jordan, which is not part of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council and thus not exempt from such tariffs.

According to the Jordan Truck Owners Association, the fees have been more than quadrupled from around $190 to $888.

The hike came into effect on Tuesday, prompting protests by truck drivers outside the Transport Ministry in Amman, according to The Jordan Times.

A spokesman for the ministry said the Jordanian government would be seeking a reversal of the move from its Saudi counterpart.

Truckers also held protests in Ramtha, near the Syrian border.

Jordan is a major transit country, and serves as a hub for goods bound for Iraq, Egypt and the GCC from countries like Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. However, the conflicts in Syria and Iraq have caused huge damage to the kingdom's economy.

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On Sunday, new Saudi visa fees came into effect, increasing charges on visas for people who visit the country in order to complete Islamic pilgrimages.

The visa fee will affect all tourists, religious and business with exemptions for first-time visitors.

The visa fee will rise to around $533 for single entry, $800 for a six-month multiple-entry visa, $1333 for the one-year visa and $2132 for a two-year visa.

A transit visa fee of $133 will also be charged.