Saudi Arabia Visa Types, Requirements, and Application
A Saudi Arabia visa opens up opportunities to explore one of the most culturally and religiously rich countries in the Middle East. From impressive religious festivals to world heritage sites and the hospitality of its people. This article will guide you through all the necessary information, from requirements to application processes, to make your trip to Saudi Arabia smooth.
Who needs a visa to enter Saudi Arabia?
Visa exemption
Citizens of GCC countries including 🇧🇭 Bahrain, 🇰🇼 Kuwait, 🇴🇲 Oman, 🇶🇦 Qatar, and 🇦🇪 UAE can use their national ID cards to enter without a visa.
E-Visa
The following travelers are eligible to apply for a Saudi Arabia tourist visa online to visit the country for tourism purposes and stay for a maximum period of 90 days for a single visit:
Saudi Arabia visa types
Saudi Arabia offers a variety of visa types, from tourism to business, catering to the needs of global visitors. Below is a detailed list of 15 types of visas for Saudi Arabia, each designed to suit the specific purpose of your trip:
- Tourist visa: For tourists wanting to explore the unique beauty and culture of Saudi Arabia.
- Business visit visa: Allows businessmen to conduct activities like press conferences, training, and transactions.
- Work visa: For those who have job offers from employers in Saudi Arabia.
- Residence visa: For those wanting to reside long-term and invest in businesses in Saudi Arabia.
- Premium residency visa: Offers special residency rights.
- Family visit visa: Allows foreigners to visit relatives living in Saudi Arabia.
- Companion visa: For those wanting to accompany someone to Saudi Arabia.
- Personal visit visa: For those without business or family ties but wanting to visit Saudi Arabia.
- Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage visa: Specifically for Muslim pilgrims performing religious rites.
- Student visa: For those wishing to study at universities or educational institutions in Saudi Arabia.
- Government visa: Offered to individuals invited by ministries, departments, or government agencies.
- Diplomatic and official visa: For those holding diplomatic passports.
- Visa for diplomatic missions and organizations: For staff of diplomatic missions and international organizations.
- Newborn visa: For newborns of foreign residents born in Saudi Arabia.
- Extension for exit/re-entry visa: Allows those with an entry visa to extend their stay or those needing to leave and re-enter Saudi Arabia without entry procedure issues.
Saudi Arabia visa requirements
e-Visa
Applying for an online (e-Visa) Saudi Arabia visa is a quick and convenient process for those looking to visit the country for tourism, short-term business, or family visits. Here are 3 important requirements to keep in mind.
- Passport: A basic requirement is that the passport must be valid for at least six months from the planned travel date. This ensures you won’t face any passport validity issues upon entry and stay in Saudi Arabia. The passport should also have at least one blank page for the visa stamp or entry stamp.
- Application form: Applicants must fill out the e-Visa application form completely and accurately. This includes personal information, trip itinerary, and the purpose of the visit. Providing correct information not only increases the chance of visa approval but also minimizes the risk of delays or rejection due to inaccurate information.
- Visa fee payment: To complete the e-Visa application process, you need to pay the visa fee using a valid credit or debit card. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid at the time of online application submission.
Sticker visa
8 important requirements you need to know when applying for a Saudi Arabia sticker visa include:
- Passport: Must be valid for at least six months from the planned travel date.
- Application form: The visa application form must be fully and accurately filled out, either online or on paper.
- Health insurance: Proof of health insurance for the duration of the stay in Saudi Arabia is mandatory.
- Accommodation: Proof of accommodation during your stay in Saudi Arabia, whether a hotel, residential area, or home, is required.
- Visa fee payment: The correct processing fee payment according to the regulations is mandatory. The visa fee is non-refundable and part of the visa application process.
- Return flight tickets: Round-trip flight tickets and a detailed itinerary must be submitted with the visa application.
- Employment proof: Evidence of stable employment and income in the resident country is necessary.
- Bank statement: This document provides proof of your financial capability, showing you can support yourself during your stay in Saudi Arabia.
How to apply for a Saudi Arabia visa
e-Visa
Here are the specific steps you need to follow to register for a Saudi Arabia e-Visa, making your visa application process smooth and efficient.
- Step#1. Online registration: The first step is to access the Saudi e-Visa portal and create an account.
- Step#2. Fill in the visa application form: After registration, you need to fill in all required information in the visa application form thoroughly and accurately. This includes personal details, travel itinerary, visit purpose, and any additional requirements from the visa managing authority.
- Step#3. Upload necessary documents: Mandatory documents may include passport photo, passport scan, and possibly proof of accommodation in Saudi Arabia. Ensure these documents are clear and meet the required format.
- Step#4. Pay the Saudi e-Visa fee online: The visa fee needs to be paid through a valid credit or debit card. This fee is usually non-refundable, so make sure about the information and documents submitted before completing the payment process.
- Step#5. Wait for your Saudi Arabia e-Visa decision: After submitting the application and paying the fee, all you need to do is wait for the approval decision. If your e-Visa is approved, you will receive the visa via the registered email. At this point, check the e-Visa information carefully to ensure there are no discrepancies with your passport.
Sticker Visa
Applying for a Saudi Arabia sticker visa is a necessary process for foreign nationals not eligible for an e-Visa application. Here are the specific steps you need to follow to apply for a visa:
- Step#1. Contact the embassy or consulate: The first step is to contact the Saudi Arabia embassy or consulate in your country to find out if you need to make an appointment in advance and the specific requirements for the type of visa you want to apply for. Some embassies or consulates may require you to submit the application by mail or through an authorized travel company.
- Step#2. Fill out the application form: Once you have all the necessary information and understand the requirements, the next step is to fill in the visa application form. Ensure all the information you provide is accurate and complete to avoid any delays in the visa application process.
- Step#3. Attach required documents: Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you will need to attach certain documents. These may include a valid passport, proof of health insurance, proof of accommodation, round-trip flight tickets, and a bank statement. Ensure all required documents are prepared accurately and completely.
- Step#4. Pay the visa Fee: The visa fee payment is usually made at the embassy or consulate when you submit your application. Prepare cash or another payment method as instructed by the embassy or consulate.
- Step#5. Wait for a decision: After submitting the application and paying the fee, all you need to do is wait for the embassy or consulate’s decision. The processing time may vary depending on the specific case and the embassy or consulate’s workload.