Saudi Arabia Visa Roadmap 2023

The visa policy of Saudi Arabia is quite strict, and obtaining a visa can be a complicated process, requiring applicants to meet specific requirements and follow specific procedures. Saudi Arabia has also implemented various changes in its visa policies and procedures in recent years, including the introduction of e-visas and tourist visas to boost tourism in the country.

• Business Visa: This visa is issued to foreign nationals who wish to visit Saudi Arabia for business-related purposes such as meetings, conferences, or negotiations.
• Tourist Visa: This visa is issued to foreign nationals who wish to visit Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes, such as sightseeing or visiting family and friends.
• Employment Visa: This visa is issued to foreign nationals who have been offered employment in Saudi Arabia and are sponsored by their employer.
• Student Visa: This visa is issued to foreign nationals who wish to study in Saudi Arabia at a recognized educational institution.
• Family Visit Visa: This visa is issued to foreign nationals who wish to visit their relatives who are residents of Saudi Arabia.
• Hajj Visa: This visa is issued to foreign nationals who wish to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
• Transit Visa: This visa is issued to foreign nationals who are traveling through Saudi Arabia to a third country.

Who must Require a Saudi Arabia Visa?

Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. The specific requirements for obtaining a visa depend on the purpose and length of stay, as well as the applicant’s nationality. However, there are a few countries that are exempt from requiring a visa to enter Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes for up to 90 days. These countries include:

• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• United Arab Emirates

All other foreign nationals are required to obtain a visa before traveling to Saudi Arabia, including for tourism, business, employment, study, or residency purposes. There are different types of visas available, such as tourist visas, business visas, work visas, and residency visas, and the specific requirements and application procedures vary depending on the type of visa.

Here are the general Saudi Arabia visa requirements:

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond the intended period of stay in Saudi Arabia.
• A completed visa application form.
• Two recent passport-size photographs.
• Payment of visa fees.
• A copy of the flight itinerary or confirmed reservation.
• Proof of accommodation in Saudi Arabia (hotel reservation or letter of invitation from a host).
• A valid residency permit (for non-citizens).
• A police clearance certificate is issued from the applicant’s country of residence.
• Medical report showing the applicant’s current health status.
• Certificate of vaccination against meningitis (for pilgrims and long-term visitors).
• Proof of financial means to support the stay in Saudi Arabia (bank statement or letter from employer).

Here is a summarized Saudi Arabia visa application process:

• Determine the type of visa required based on the purpose of the visit.
• Gather all necessary documents and requirements.
• Fill out the visa application form accurately and completely.
• Pay the visa fee online or at the embassy/consulate.
• Submit the visa application and all required documents in person at the Saudi embassy/consulate or through an authorized visa agency.
• Wait for the visa processing time, which may vary depending on the type of visa and the embassy/consulate.
• Once the visa is approved, the applicant’s passport will be stamped with the visa, and they can travel to Saudi Arabia.

List of Diplomatic Missions by Saudi Arabia

Here is a list of diplomatic missions by Saudi Arabia:

• Afghanistan – Kabul
• Algeria – Algiers
• Argentina – Buenos Aires
• Australia – Canberra
• Austria – Vienna
• Azerbaijan – Baku
• Bahrain – Manama
• Bangladesh – Dhaka
• Belarus – Minsk
• Belgium – Brussels
• Brazil – Brasília
• Brunei – Bandar Seri Begawan
• Bulgaria – Sofia
• Cambodia – Phnom Penh
• Canada – Ottawa
• China – Beijing
• Cyprus – Nicosia
• Czech Republic – Prague
• Denmark – Copenhagen
• Djibouti – Djibouti City
• Egypt – Cairo
• Eritrea – Asmara
• Ethiopia – Addis Ababa
• France – Paris
• Germany – Berlin
• Ghana – Accra
• Greece – Athens
• Holy See – Vatican City
• Hungary – Budapest
• India – New Delhi
• Indonesia – Jakarta
• Iran – Tehran
• Iraq – Baghdad
• Ireland – Dublin
• Italy – Rome
• Japan – Tokyo
• Jordan – Amman
• Kazakhstan – Nur-Sultan
• Kenya – Nairobi
• South Korea – Seoul
• Kuwait – Kuwait City
• Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek
• Lebanon – Beirut
• Libya – Tripoli
• Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur
• Maldives – Malé
• Mauritania – Nouakchott
• Mexico – Mexico City
• Morocco – Rabat
• Myanmar – Naypyidaw
• Nepal – Kathmandu
• Netherlands – The Hague
• New Zealand – Wellington
• Nigeria – Abuja
• Norway – Oslo
• Oman – Muscat
• Pakistan – Islamabad
• Palestine – Ramallah
• Philippines – Manila
• Poland – Warsaw
• Portugal – Lisbon
• Qatar – Doha
• Romania – Bucharest
• Russia – Moscow
• Senegal – Dakar
• Serbia – Belgrade
• Seychelles – Victoria
• Singapore – Singapore
• Slovakia – Bratislava
• Slovenia – Ljubljana
• Somalia – Mogadishu
• South Africa – Pretoria
• Spain – Madrid
• Sri Lanka – Colombo
• Sudan – Khartoum
• Sweden – Stockholm
• Switzerland – Bern
• Syria – Damascus
• Tajikistan – Dushanbe
• Tanzania – Dar es Salaam
• Thailand – Bangkok
• Tunisia – Tunis
• Turkey – Ankara
• Turkmenistan – Ashgabat
• Uganda – Kampala
• Ukraine – Kiev
• United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi
• United Kingdom – London
• United States – Washington, D.C.
• Uzbekistan – Tashkent
• Vietnam – Hanoi
• Yemen – Sana’a

For the whole list, visit the given link.

Here are some important points related to Saudi Arabia visa fees:

• Business Visa: The fee for a Saudi Arabian business visa is around $440.
• Tourist Visa: A tourist visa for Saudi Arabia costs around $120 for a single entry and $270 for multiple entries.
• Work Visa: The cost of a work visa for Saudi Arabia varies depending on the type of work and the duration of stay. It can range from $235 to $1,200.
• Student Visa: The cost of a student visa for Saudi Arabia is around $150.
• Hajj and Umrah Visa: The cost of a Hajj and Umrah visa is free of charge.

Here are some important points related to Saudi Arabia visa validity and duration:

• The validity and duration of a Saudi Arabia visa vary depending on the type of visa and the discretion of the Saudi authorities.
• Most visas are valid for a single entry, meaning that the visa holder can enter Saudi Arabia only once during the visa validity period.
• The validity period may range from a few days to several years, depending on the type of visa and the applicant’s nationality.
• The duration of stay in Saudi Arabia is usually determined by the immigration officer at the port of entry and may vary from a few days to several months.
• Visa extensions may be possible, but they are subject to the approval of the Saudi authorities and may require additional fees and documentation.
• Overstaying a Saudi Arabia visa can result in fines, detention, and deportation, and may also affect future travel to Saudi Arabia or other countries.

Here are some important points related to Saudi Arabia visa extensions:

• Visa extensions are possible for certain types of visas, including employment and residency visas.
• The visa extension process must be initiated before the original visa expires, and the applicant must meet all relevant requirements and provide all necessary documentation.
• Visa extensions are granted at the discretion of the Saudi authorities and may be subject to additional fees and processing times.
• Overstaying a Saudi Arabia visa can result in fines, detention, and deportation, and may also affect future travel to Saudi Arabia or other countries.

Here are some important points related to Saudi Arabia visa cancellation:

• Saudi Arabia visas can be canceled by the Saudi authorities for various reasons, including violation of visa regulations or conditions, security concerns, or at the discretion of the authorities.
• The visa holder may also request to cancel their visa voluntarily, for example, if they decide not to travel to Saudi Arabia or if they need to leave the country before the visa expiration date.
• Canceling a visa may require the visa holder to surrender their passport and pay any outstanding fines or fees.
• Once a visa is canceled, the visa holder must leave Saudi Arabia immediately, and they may be barred from entering the country again in the future.

Here are some important points related to Saudi Arabia visas for business purposes:

• Business visitors to Saudi Arabia typically require a Business Visit Visa or Commercial Visit Visa, depending on the nature of their activities.
• A business Visit Visa is usually valid for up to 90 days and allows the holder to attend business meetings, conferences, and negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
• Commercial Visit Visa is usually valid for up to 180 days and allows the holder to engage in commercial activities, such as sales, marketing, and contracts in Saudi Arabia.
• The visa application process for business visas typically involves providing a letter of invitation from a Saudi-based company or sponsor, along with other required documents and fees.
• Applicants may also need to undergo a medical exam and obtain a police clearance certificate from their home country.
• Business visitors are generally not allowed to work or receive a salary in Saudi Arabia unless they obtain a work permit or residency visa.

Here are some important points related to Saudi Arabia visas for employment purposes:

• Foreign workers who wish to work in Saudi Arabia typically require an Employment Visa, which is usually sponsored by a Saudi-based employer.
• The visa application process for employment visas involves several steps, including obtaining a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, providing a job offer letter or contract, undergoing a medical exam, and obtaining a police clearance certificate.
• The employment visa is usually valid for up to 90 days, during which the visa holder must enter Saudi Arabia and complete the residency permit application process.
• The residency permit allows the visa holder to work and live in Saudi Arabia for a specified period, which may be renewed upon expiration.
• Employers are responsible for providing health insurance, housing, and transportation for their employees and complying with all labor laws and regulations.
• Foreign workers may also be required to obtain a Saudi Arabian national identification card (Iqama) once they arrive in the country.

Saudi Arabia Visa-on-Arrival

Here are the requirements and procedures for obtaining a Saudi Arabian visa on arrival:

Requirements

• Passport with at least six months validity from the date of arrival
• Return ticket or onward ticket to a third country
• Proof of accommodation in Saudi Arabia
• Valid visa for the country of residence or a residency permit
• Vaccination certificate against certain diseases, such as yellow fever, if applicable

Procedure

• Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, proceed to the visa-on-arrival counter at the airport.
• Provide your passport and other required documents to the immigration officer.
• Pay the visa fee, which is around SAR 440 (approximately $120) for a single-entry tourist visa.
• Wait for the visa to be processed and stamped in your passport.
• Proceed to the immigration counter for entry into Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia eVisa

Citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply for a Saudi Arabia eVisa;

• Andorra
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• China (including Hong Kong and Macau)
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Russia
• San Marino
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Holders of Schengen visas, US visas, or UK visas

Here are the requirements and procedures for obtaining a Saudi Arabia eVisa, presented:

Requirements

• A valid passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of entry to Saudi Arabia.
• A digital photograph of yourself, with a white background.
• A confirmed return ticket or an onward journey ticket.
• A valid email address to receive the eVisa.

Procedure

• Visit the official website of Saudi Arabia eVisa.
• Click on “Apply for Visa” and select the type of visa you need.
• Fill in the required personal information, including your name, date of birth, nationality, and passport details.
• Upload your digital photograph and any additional documents required for your visa type.
• Pay the visa fee using a valid credit or debit card.
• Apply and wait for the visa to be processed.
• Once the visa is approved, you will receive an electronic visa via email.
• Print out a copy of the eVisa and carry it with you during your trip to Saudi Arabia.

For More Details Visit the Official Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia.

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