Electronic visa system to be launched within weeks

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: An electronic visa system for inbound tourists is set to launch “within weeks,” Tourism Minister Yehia Rashed said, according to a report in Al Shorouk. Ministries and government bodies operating the system, including the civil aviation, foreign affairs, and defense ministries, are currently running trials ahead of launch. The Supreme Tourism Council had agreed back in February to introduce electronic visas and “facilitate visas for Arab citizens” to stimulate the tourism industry. The system had been expected to launch by May.