Traveling to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is one of the most popular destinations in the Middle East, with millions of travelers visiting from all over the world every year for work, business, tourism, and religious purposes.
Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates do not require a visa to visit Saudi Arabia and they can use their national ID cards to enter the country. Nationals from 57 countries are eligible to apply for an e-Visa or visa on arrival if they wish to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. All applicants for a Saudi Arabia e-Visa should have passports valid for at least 6 months from the travel date. GCC Residents are now eligible for a Saudi Arabia e-Visa, while holders of USA, UK, India, Australia, Turkey, Canada and Schengen tourist or business visas can apply for a visa on arrival. Other nationals need to contact the nearest Saudi Arabia embassy in their country if they wish to apply for a Saudi Arabia visa.
The Saudi Arabia visa validity depends on the type of visa the applicant applies for. The Saudi Arabia multiple-entry tourist visa is valid for one year and it allows travelers to stay in the Kingdom for 90 days, while the Saudi Arabia single-entry tourist visa is valid for three months and allows travelers to stay in the Kingdom for 30 days.
Saudi Arabia visa types
The type of Saudi visa you need to apply for depends on the purpose of your travel to Saudi Arabia. These types are:
- Tourist Visa
- Saudi Arabia tourist visa is issued for tourism purposes only.
- Business Visit Visa
- Saudi Arabia business visa is issued for business purposes such as meetings, training, and business deals
- Employment Visa
- Saudi Arabia working visa is issued for those who want to work in KSA and have a job offer from an employer in Saudi Arabia.
- Residence Visa
- Residence visa is issued to individuals interested in long-term residence permits and investing in the KSA businesses.
- Premium Residency Visa
- Saudi Arabia premium residency visa is issued for those who wish to obtain a distinctive residence in the KSA.
- Family Visit Visa
- Saudi Arabia family visit visa is issued to foreigners who want to visit a family member in KSA.
- Companion Visa
- Issued to applicants who want to accompany someone to the KSA.
- Personal Visit Visa
- An e-service provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs enables individuals who have no business connections or family relationships in KSA to request a visa.
- Hajj and Umrah Visa
- Issued to Muslim pilgrims from all over the world.
- Student Visa
- Saudi Arabia student visa is issued to those who want to study in the KSA. They must be accepted into an accredited institute or university in the KSA.
- Government Visa
- Issued to the invitees of the Saudi Arabian government department or institution.
- Diplomatic & Official Visas
- Issued to holders of diplomatic passports.
- Diplomatic Missions & Organizations
- Newborn Visa
- Extension of Exit/Re-Entry Visa
Saudi Arabia visa requirements
The following Saudi Arabia Visa requirements need to be met when applying for a Saudi eVisa online:
Passport
Passports should be valid for at least six months from the travel date
Application form
Applicants must submit an accurately completed visa application form for their application to be processed
Payment
- A credit/debit card to pay the application fee
- Applicants should be able to provide a valid form of payment to cover the visa fees online.
The following are required for the Saudi sticker visa:
Passport
Valid for at least six months from the travel date
Application form
The visa application form should be completed fully and accurately online or on paper
Health insurance
Applicants should provide proof of health insurance for the duration of their stay
Accommodation
Applicants must show they have a space to live for the duration of their stay in Saudi Arabia. This could include a hotel, residence, or house
Visa fees payment
Applicants should be able to prove that they have paid the visa processing fees on time.
Ticket
A roundtrip ticket and itinerary must be submitted along with the visa application.
Proof of employment
Applicants should prove they have a steady occupation and income
Bank statement
This document shows proof that the visa holder can support themselves for the duration of their stay in Saudi Arabia
Please note that types of Saudi visas have additional requirements than those listed above. Accordingly, you are advised to check the requirements of the specific Saudi visa type you are applying for.
Saudi Arabia visa application
Foreign nationals required to apply for a Saudi e-Visa or a Saudi sticker visa must follow these steps:
Saudi eVisa
Eligible foreign nationals from 57 countries can apply for the Saudi eVisa.
- Apply online for Saudi eVisa at the Saudi eVisa portal
• Register online
• Fill out the visa application
• Upload the required documents - Pay the Saudi eVisa fee online
• Pay with a valid credit/debit card
- Wait for your Saudi eVisa decision
• If approved, receive your Saudi e-Visa to email you provided
• Confirm that visa information is correct and matches your passport
Saudi sticker visa
Foreign nationals not eligible to apply for a Saudi e-Visa will be required to apply for their visas through a Saudi embassy or consulate in their country. If eligible, they can take the following steps:
- Contact the embassy or consulate in your country to inquire:
• If you need to make an appointment
• The specific requirements of the visa type you want to apply for.
Note: Some offices may accept visa application submissions by mail or through an authorized travel agency. - Fill out your application form
- Attach all the documents required by the embassy or consulate and submit them together with your completed application form
- Pay the visa fees in cash at the embassy or consulate
Note: The issuance of the Saudi visa may sometimes take longer depending on the specific embassy or consulate.
Where to apply for Saudi Arabia visa
Saudi eVisa
Nationals of 57 countries are eligible to apply online for a Saudi eVisa through the Saudi eVisa portal.
Saudi Sticker Visa
Foreign nationals required to apply for a Saudi sticker visa should contact the Saudi embassies or consulates in their countries to inquire about the opening hours, appointments, and the possibility of applying through authorized travel agencies.
Saudi Arabia visa processing time
The Saudi Arabia visa application processing time, if submitted online, is 5-30 minutes in most cases, while the time taken to issue an embassy or consulate visa is 1-2 business days.
