Saudi Arabia Launches Educational Visa Program to Attract International Students and Academics
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: In a strategic move to bolster its educational and research sectors, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia have jointly introduced a groundbreaking educational visa program. The initiative aims to attract foreign students and academics to the Kingdom, fostering academic and cultural cooperation while positioning Saudi Arabia as a global educational destination.
The official launch ceremony, held on the sidelines of the two-day Human Capacity Initiative conference in Riyadh, was attended by Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan. The conference concluded on Thursday and was held under the patronage of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, who also chairs the Human Capacity Development Program Committee.
The educational visa will be facilitated through the “Study in Saudi Arabia” platform, streamlining the admission process for international students keen on pursuing their studies in Saudi universities. This innovative visa issuance service aims to enhance collaboration between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and related sectors, ensuring a seamless experience for prospective students.
The program offers a diverse range of academic, training, and research opportunities, catering to both short-term and long-term educational pursuits within a modern and distinguished learning environment. The platform enables international students to submit applications easily, providing a gateway to Saudi Arabia’s academic offerings.
Minister Al-Benyan emphasized that the new educational visa service aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, contributing to the Kingdom’s commitment to developing the education sector and attracting talents and competencies. Speaking at a dialogue session titled “Shedding Light on Education” during the Human Capability Initiative conference, he highlighted the global approach to developing human capabilities and its importance in addressing future challenges in the education sector.
Al-Benyan underscored the Kingdom’s dedication to long-term education outcomes, evaluating impact, and enhancing competencies to achieve ambitious goals. He emphasized the priority given to both the public and private sectors and human capital development in achieving progress. The Minister revealed significant achievements in early education, citing an increase from 10 percent in 2019 to 34 percent, with a target of reaching 90 percent by 2030. Al-Benyan stressed the ongoing investment in teachers to nurture optimal skills and expertise.
