The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad has announced that a significant reduction in visa fees for Pakistanis has been approved by the kingdom.

According to a press release issued by the embassy, the fee for single-entry visit visa has been lowered from SAR2,000 to SAR338, which, in dollar terms, equals a reduction from $533 to $90.

Meanwhile, the fee for multiple-entry visit visa has been slashed from SAR3,000 to SAR675, which in dollar terms, amounts to a reduction from $800 to $180.

The embassy further adds that the new fee structure has come into effect from Feb 15.

In Oct 2016, Saudi Arabia had enforced a seven-fold hike in visa fees to do business in the kingdom. The higher visa fees was one of many moves adopted by the kingdom to cover a loss in oil revenue.