Saudi Arabia Joins Egypt, Turkey, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Other Middle Eastern Countries in Facing Significant Travel Changes and Potential Visa Delays This Year as the US Imposes a New Visa Policy and Biometric Entry-Exit System
Stricter screening, expanded biometrics, and longer processing times reshape travel plans for millions across the Middle East
Travel between the Middle East and the United States is set to undergo notable changes this year as Washington rolls out a new visa policy alongside an expanded biometric entry-exit system. Saudi Arabia has now joined countries such as Egypt, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, and others in facing the impact of these measures, which are expected to lead to longer visa processing times, additional documentation requirements, and heightened scrutiny for travelers.
The changes mark one of the most significant shifts in US travel and immigration procedures in recent years and are already prompting governments, airlines, and travelers across the region to reassess timelines and expectations.
What Is Changing in the US Visa System?
At the heart of the shift is the United States’ implementation of a more comprehensive biometric entry-exit system. This system aims to track foreign visitors more accurately by collecting and verifying biometric data—such as fingerprints and facial recognition—when travelers enter and leave the country.
While biometric screening is not entirely new, the expanded system integrates multiple databases and applies to a wider range of visa categories. US authorities say the goal is to enhance border security, prevent visa overstays, and modernize immigration controls without halting legitimate travel.
Alongside this, updates to visa policies include more rigorous background checks, closer examination of travel histories, and, in some cases, additional in-person interviews. For applicants from the Middle East, these steps could translate into longer waiting periods and fewer expedited options.
Why Middle Eastern Countries Are Affected
Saudi Arabia and several other Middle Eastern countries have long been major sources of business travelers, students, tourists, and religious visitors to the US. The region’s strategic importance, coupled with high volumes of cross-border travel, makes it a key focus of the new system.
US officials emphasize that the measures are global in scope and not targeted at any single country. However, in practice, applicants from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar may feel the effects more acutely due to higher application volumes and enhanced screening protocols.
Travel experts note that even small procedural changes can create significant backlogs when applied to millions of applications annually.
Potential Visa Delays and Their Impact
One of the most immediate consequences expected this year is longer visa processing times. Consular appointments may become harder to secure, and administrative processing could take weeks or even months longer than before.
For business travelers, this could disrupt meetings, conferences, and investment plans. Students hoping to begin academic programs in the US may face uncertainty around enrollment timelines. Families planning vacations or visiting relatives could also see plans delayed or altered.
Airlines and travel agencies across the Middle East are already advising customers to apply earlier than usual and to avoid making non-refundable bookings until visas are approved.
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Travel Ties with the US
Saudi Arabia’s inclusion in the list of affected countries comes at a time when travel ties between Riyadh and Washington are expanding. Business travel linked to energy, technology, defense, and tourism has increased, while more Saudi students are pursuing higher education in the US.
The new US visa and biometric requirements could temporarily slow this momentum. However, analysts believe that demand will remain strong in the long term, as the underlying economic and educational links between the two countries are robust.
Saudi authorities, like their counterparts in the UAE and Qatar, are expected to engage with US officials to ensure that travelers are informed and that processes remain as smooth as possible.
Regional Response and Adaptation
Governments across the Middle East are closely monitoring the situation. Some are enhancing traveler awareness campaigns, while others are working with US embassies to manage appointment backlogs.
Travel industry players are also adapting. Airlines are updating guidance for passengers, and visa consultants are seeing increased demand for assistance with documentation and interview preparation. Digital tools and appointment-tracking services are becoming more popular as applicants try to navigate the more complex system.
What Travelers Can Do
Experts advise travelers from Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries to plan well ahead. Applying for US visas several months earlier than usual, ensuring documents are complete and accurate, and staying informed about policy updates can help reduce delays.
Travelers should also be prepared for biometric collection and possible follow-up requests from consular officials. Transparency and consistency in travel history and documentation are increasingly important under the new system.
A Broader Shift in Global Travel
The US is not alone in tightening and modernizing border controls. Many countries are adopting biometric systems to balance security with efficiency. What makes the current changes significant is their scale and the immediate impact on high-volume travel regions like the Middle East.
While the adjustments may cause short-term inconvenience, US authorities argue that the long-term goal is a more secure and streamlined travel environment.
Outlook for the Rest of the Year
As Saudi Arabia joins Egypt, Turkey, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and others in navigating these changes, the remainder of the year is likely to be a period of adjustment. Visa delays may persist in the near term, but systems are expected to stabilize as consulates and travelers adapt.
For now, flexibility and early planning will be key. The new US visa policy and biometric entry-exit system are reshaping travel realities, signaling a future where international mobility is increasingly digital, data-driven, and closely monitored.
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