Saudi Arabia Visa Archives - Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country https://visa-consulate.com/category/asia/saudi-arabia-visa/ Visa Information For Any Country Thu, 28 Sep 2023 23:00:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7 https://visa-consulate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cropped-VISA-CONSULATE-FAVICON-150x150.jpg Saudi Arabia Visa Archives - Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country https://visa-consulate.com/category/asia/saudi-arabia-visa/ 32 32 Saudi Arabia Visa https://visa-consulate.com/asia/saudi-arabia-visa/saudi-arabia-visa/ Wed, 02 Nov 2022 19:19:33 +0000 https://visa-consulate.com/?p=5473 The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been mostly closed off to the world in the past, and the only foreigners who could successfully get a Saudi Arabia visa were Muslim pilgrims, business travelers, or foreign workers and their family members. However, recently Saudi Arabia started issuing Tourist eVisas to foreigners from several countries through a facilitated online...

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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been mostly closed off to the world in the past, and the only foreigners who could successfully get a Saudi Arabia visa were Muslim pilgrims, business travelers, or foreign workers and their family members.

However, recently Saudi Arabia started issuing Tourist eVisas to foreigners from several countries through a facilitated online procedure. The Saudi Arabia eVisa was launched in an effort to boost tourism and branch the country’s economy away from oil.

Visa policy of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has a relatively strict visa policy, only allowing visa-free access to a handful of neighboring countries.

Citizens of the following countries are exempt from visa requirements for Saudi Arabia:

  • Bahrain
  • Kuwait
  • Oman
  • United Arab Emirates

If you are from one of these four countries, you can enter Saudi Arabia with just your ID card.

Who is eligible for a Saudi Arabia eVisa?

But since the launch of the Saudi Arabian eVisa, passport holders of over 40 countries can enter the Kingdom through a facilitated process online.

Anyone who is not exempt from visa requirements or eligible for an eVisa visa will have to apply for a Saudi Arabian visa at an Embassy or Consulate.

Only nationals of the following countries are eligible to receive the Saudi Arabia eVisa:

AndorraAustraliaAustria
BelgiumBruneiBulgaria
CanadaChina (including Hong Kong and Macau)Croatia
CyprusCzech RepublicDenmark
EstoniaFinlandFrance
GermanyGreeceHungary
IcelandIrelandItaly
JapanKazakhstanLatvia
LiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourg
MalaysiaMaltaMonaco
MontenegroNetherlandsNew Zealand
NorwayPolandPortugal
RomaniaRussiaSan Marino
SingaporeSlovakiaSlovenia
South KoreaSpainSweden
SwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
United StatesHolders of Schengen visas, US visas, or UK visas 

In addition to the nationality requirements, to be eligible for the Saudi Arabia eVisa, you have to:

  • Be at least 18 years old (minors have to travel accompanied by an adult)
  • You must have a valid email address.
  • Your passport has to be valid for at least another six months.
  • You must enter Saudi Arabia with the same passport with which you applied.

Saudi Arabia Visa Types

Saudi Arabia issued visas for the following purposes:

  • Tourism
  • Business
  • Family Visit
  • Transit
  • Hajj/Umrah
  • Work/Employment
  • Studying

Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa

The Tourist Visa for Saudi Arabia is issued to foreigners who will enter the country for tourism purposes. As detailed above, the Tourist Visa for Saudi Arabia is issued online or on arrival to citizens of several countries.

Everyone who is not eligible for an eVisa/Visa On Arrival must apply at an Embassy or Consulate of Saudi Arabia instead.

Saudi Arabia Business Visa

Foreigners traveling to Saudi Arabia for business-related purposes can enter the Kingdom through an eVisa, as detailed above.

If not eligible for an eVisa you can apply for a regular Saudi Arabia Business Visa at an Embassy/Consulate of Saudi Arabia near you, in which case you have to provide the following supporting documents:

  • A letter addressed to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia where you are applying by your employer confirming you are taking this trip for business.
  • Letter of Invitation from the Saudi company
  • Company registration documents by both the inviting company in Saudi Arabia and the company you work for in your country of residence.

Saudi Arabia Visit Visa

A Visit Visa to Saudi Arabia is issued to foreigners who want to visit a family member in the Kingdom or for a personal visit.

eVisas can be used if you will travel to Saudi Arabia for a family visit, provided that you are from one of the permitted countries. If you are not, you have to apply for a Saudi Arabia Visit Visa at an Embassy/Consulate.

Saudi Arabia Transit Visa

If  you are transiting through Saudi Arabia on your way to a third country of destination, you must have a Saudi Arabia Visa, unless:

  • You are traveling via Dammam (DMM), Jeddah (JED) or Riyadh (RUH) international airport
  • You have a confirmed onward flight ticket a third country within 12 hours
  • You do not leave the international transit area of the airport
  • You have the required documents for the next country (eg. a visa)

Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa

The Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa is issued to Muslim Pilgrims from around the world who want to enter Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj or Umrah. The Hajj Visa is issued free of charge at the Embassies or Consulates of Saudi Arabia abroad.

Note: Those eligible for a Saudi Arabia eVisa can also use it to enter the Kingdom to perform Hajj/Umrah.

How to apply for a Saudi Arabia Visa?

The process for a Saudi Arabia visa application depends on your nationality:

  • Apply online or on arrival (if eligible for an eVisa)
  • Apply at an Embassy or Consulate of Saudi Arabia in your country (if not eligible for an eVisa)

Applying for a Saudi Arabian Visa online

If you are eligible for an eVisa, you have to apply through the official tourism website of Saudi Arabia (here).  The application process for a Saudi Arabia eVisa is pretty simple and straightforward. You have to:

  • Access the eVisa application website
  • Click on the “Apply Now” button
  • Complete the Saudi Arabia Visa application form
  • Pay the Saudi Arabia visa fee
  • Wait for the eVisa to be processed (it usually only takes about 30 minutes)
  • After you receive the eVisa, you can print it out and use it to enter the country within 90 days.

The Immigration at the airport in Saudi Arabia will check your visa before they allow you to enter the country.

Note: There are other non-official websites that offer to process eVisas for Saudi Arabia. While some are legitimate others may not be, so be careful when submitting an application. If you apply through one of these websites, you also have to pay for an additional service fee on top of the eVisa fee.

Required documents for Saudi Arabia eVisa

You do not have to upload any documents when you apply for the Saudi Arabia online visa. You just have to give your correct passport information and answer several security-related questions.

You must give your passport details and answer all the questions truthfully, because you will be screened, and if it is revealed you gave misinformation, you will be denied entry.

The validity of a Saudi Arabia eVisa

The Saudi Arabia eVisa is valid for one year and allows multiple entries in the country. You can stay up to 90 days each entry but no more than 180 days per year.

Applying for a Saudi Arabian Visa at an Embassy/Consulate

If you are not eligible for a Saudi Arabian eVisa, you will have to apply at an Embassy or Consulate of Saudi Arabia nearest to you.

  • When you apply at an Embassy/Consulate, you will have to submit several supporting documents, as requested by the consular staff.
  • You likely have to appear in person, although some offices may accept visa application submissions by mail or through an authorized travel agency.
  • Once you submit the completed application, you have to wait 1-2 days for the application to be processed, although it may take longer depending on the specific Embassy/Consulate.
  • After your application has been processed, you can pick up your visa during the pick-up hours.

Since different Embassies or Consulates may have their own rules and requirements, it is always advisable to contact them first. You will learn about whether you need to make an appointment, their opening hours, and their specific requirements. Find the diplomatic missions of Saudi Arabia here.

Documents required when applying for a Saudi Arabia visa at Embassy/Consulate

The documents you have to submit if you apply for a Saudi Arabia Visa at an Embassy or Consulate change depending on the specific diplomatic mission as well as the reason you request the visa. However, this includes:

  • Saudi Arabia Visa Application Form, completed and signed. You can usually find it at the Embassy or Consulate offices or on their website.
  • Passport-size picture(s) with the following specifications:
    • Dimensions: 2 inch x 2 inch
    • Recent (no older than six months)
    • While background, without any patterns
    • You must be staring straight ahead
    • Your face must be fully visible
  • Proof of sufficient financial means to cover the duration of your stay (bank statements)
  • Your passport, which must be valid for at least another six months before you depart Saudi Arabia.
  • Proof of accommodation in Saudi Arabia (eg. hotel reservation)
  • A booked return flight ticket
  • Travel itinerary
  • Proof of employment, such as:
    • Letter from employer (if you are employed)
    • Business registration (if you are self-employed)
    • Letter from your school (if you are a student)
  • Any other additional documents, as requested. See the specific visa types below to learn about any specific additional documents you have to submit.

Saudi Arabia Work Visa

If you are traveling to Saudi Arabia to work, then you have to apply for a Saudi Arabia Work Visa (also referred to as an Employment Visa) from one of its Embassies or Consulates. However, before that, your employer in Saudi Arabia must also procure a work permit for you. The process is:

  • Your employer applies for your Work Permit at the Ministry of Labor
  • If the application is approved, the Ministry of Labor notifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the decision, who then issue a Visa Authorisation Number.
  • You apply for a Saudi Arabia Work Visa at the nearest Embassy or Consulate.

The Saudi Arabia Work Visa requirements depend on the specific case, but will usually include:

  • Proof of Work Visa Authorization issued by the Saudi Ministry of Labor or the branched of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Letter of Sponsorship from the company in Saudi Arabia, certified by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Copy of your employment contract
  • Medical report issued by a certified medical practitioner which states you are not infected with any contagious diseases. The report must have been issued within the last three months.
  • Police clearance, issued within the last six months
  • Academic qualifications/diplomas

After your Saudi Work Visa is issued and you enter the Kingdom, you also have to apply for a Residence Permit from the Ministry of Labor.

Saudi Arabia Student Visa

To receive a Saudi Arabia Student Visa, you must first get accepted in an educational institution in Saudi Arabia. The school then has to apply at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for authorization for your Student Visa. if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs authorizes the visa, you can then apply at one of the Embassies or Consulates of Saudi Arabia near you by submitting the following documents:

  • Proof of authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (eg. Visa Authorisation Number)
  • Your Birth Certificate
  • Your high school diploma or other previous academic qualifications
  • Medical report issued by a certified medical practitioner which states you are not infected with any contagious diseases. The report must have been issued within the last three months.
    • Applicants under the age of 16 don’t have to submit a medical report.
  • Police clearance, issued within the last six months
  • If you are under the age of 18: Authorization to travel from your parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

Saudi Arabia visa fee

The visa fee a Saudi Arabia eVisa is SAR 440 (appx. US$ 117), but the visa fee can change at any time. In addition, you also have to pay VAT at the applicable rates.

When you apply at an Embassy or Consulate, the fee depends on the country from which you are applying, as does the preferred payment method.

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The 5 Most Difficult Visas to Apply for in the World https://visa-consulate.com/asia/iran-visa/the-5-most-difficult-visas-to-apply-for-in-the-world/ Mon, 25 Jul 2022 14:13:52 +0000 https://visa-consulate.com/?p=4573 They say the world is your oyster, but that is not strictly true. Many countries have visa regulations, and to visit, you must apply and be granted a tourist visa in advance. With over 195 countries ripe for exploration, the temptation to get as many stamps on the passport as possible is a real challenge...

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They say the world is your oyster, but that is not strictly true. Many countries have visa regulations, and to visit, you must apply and be granted a tourist visa in advance. With over 195 countries ripe for exploration, the temptation to get as many stamps on the passport as possible is a real challenge for some people, but there are several places that you might find say ‘no way’ when you apply for a visa. Here are five of the most notoriously difficult countries to be granted a visa to visit. 

1. North Korea 

In order to even apply for a visa to visit North Korea, tourists must work with a tourist agency that has state approval, and the paperwork is laborious. Frankly, they are not very welcoming, so the chances of being refused entry are high. They often deny visas to people just over the border in South Korea, and if you are from North America, you aren’t guaranteed to be any more welcome. North Korea may have to remain on the unachievable bucket list, possibly forever. 

2. Russia 

There is no denying the appeal of Russia as a travel destination but start your visa application well in advance as this is another paper-based marathon. The sheer number of questions asked on the visa application will put many people off. They are also very interested in every country you have visited in the last decade, and you need to give lots of information about where you went and why. It is complicated and lengthy, and after all that, there is no guarantee you will be granted the visa, so again it may not be a destination you can visit any time soon.

3. Somalia 

To be completely honest, Somalia is not a dream destination. It is a dangerous place to visit as a tourist, so for that reason, you are not encouraged even to apply. But, human nature being what it is, someone, somewhere, will want to try. Applying for the visa itself is the first hurdle, and again it has been made deliberately complex. Should you be successful and be allowed into the country, the second hurdle is having a security detail accompanying you at all times. 

4. Iran 

Apply in advance if you are from the US or UK (and a handful of other countries) as you are not eligible for visa-on-arrival and will be sent packing. If you want to visit Iran and apply in advance, part of the process is obtaining a verification code from an Iranian travel agent. The screening process is lengthy, and again, no guarantees. 

5. Saudia Arabia

This has become an easier visa to obtain than in previous years, but unless you are Muslim, you may not visit Median or Mecca even with a tourist visa. If you are from Israel, you are not even allowed to apply. The penalties for non-compliance with visa requirements and general rules are severe and include imprisonment and even death, so be careful to do as you are asked. 

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