If you’re planning to visit Saudi Arabia, it’s important to know which type of visa suits your purpose. Saudi Arabia offers a variety of visas depending on whether you’re visiting for tourism, work, family, or other reasons. In this guide, I’ will explain different types of visas available in Saudi Arabia and provide detailed, easy-to-follow instructions on how to apply for each. Let’s start!
1. Tourist Visa
The Saudi Tourist Visa is ideal for travelers who want to explore the country’s rich culture, heritage, and natural wonders. Introduced in 2019, it marked Saudi Arabia’s big leap toward becoming a tourist-friendly destination.
Eligibility:
- Citizens from eligible countries (check the eVisa portal for the list).
- Applicants from non-eligible countries can apply through the Saudi embassy.
How to Apply:
- Online (eVisa Portal):
- Visit the official Visit Saudi portal
- Complete the application form with personal details and travel plans.
- Upload the required documents (a valid passport and a recent photo).
- Pay the visa fee (approximately $117, including medical insurance).
- Receive your e-Visa via email and save it in your mobile wallet (no need to print it)
- Through Saudi Embassy:
- Fill out the application form available at the embassy or consulate.
- Provide supporting documents, such as an invitation letter, travel itinerary, and passport.
- Attend an interview, if required.
Duration:
- Valid for one year with multiple entries. You can use it also as a transit visa if you are flying through Jeddah or Riyadh on your way to other destinations: both cities are great for one-two days layovers.
- Stay up to 90 days per visit.
Extra tip for European travelers: recently the low cost airline Wizz air introduced a bunch of flights to Saudi. They are much cheaper than the most famous middle eastern airlines and offer a great opportunity to fly to the region at a lower cost, plus you get to visit the Saudi cities which offer something interesting for everyone.
2. Business Visa
The Business Visa is for professionals attending conferences, meetings, or other business activities.
Eligibility:
- Business people with official invitations from a Saudi company. Yes, this is needed if you are coming to Saudi Arabia for business reasons. If you thought that you can apply for a business visa because you are planning to invest in the country or just arrive and look for a job, this is not the case. You need an invitation from a Saudi company (yes, it must be a Saudi not a foreign company) and you cannot work on that visa in Saudi Arabia. This Visa is meant only for business people who are visiting.
How to Apply:
- Invitation Letter:
- Ensure your Saudi host company registers an invitation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
- They will send you a MOFA reference number. Make sure you receive it.
- Visa Application:
- Submit the MOFA number, passport, and completed application form through the Enjazit platform or at a Saudi embassy.
- Pay the visa fee (varies based on nationality).
- The visa will be printed in your passport if you apply in the Embassy or sent to you via e-mail if you are on the list of eligible countries.
Duration:
- Usually valid for 3 months with single or multiple entries depending on your invitation letter and business purposes.
- Length of stay depends on the visa type (commonly up to 30 days per visit).
3. Work Visa
The Work Visa is for those who have secured employment in Saudi Arabia.
Eligibility:
- Applicants with a confirmed job offer from a Saudi company which means you have signed a contract with the employer.
More and more people are asking how to look for a job in Saudi Arabia. After the country opened for tourists it also experienced a huge boom of investors and started to open for the foreign workers just as the Emirates countries. High salaries and a new multicultural environment started to attract many professionals from the US and Europe. Just recently the Kingdom has emerged as the second-best country in the world for working abroad. Check the detail about the survey here. Are you one of those interested in moving into Saudi Arabia and don’t know where to start you next move? Subscribe to Gulf Talent website where you will stay up to date on the most recent job opportunities in the Kingdom and not only.
Let’s get back to the visa process though
How to Apply for a working visa in Saudi
- Job Offer:
- Obtain a contract and a visa authorization from your employer.
- Medical Examination:
- Undergo a medical checkup at an authorized clinic.
- Submit Documents:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months).
- Completed application form.
- Police clearance certificate from your country
- Academic qualifications attested by the Saudi Cultural Attaché and Saudi Embassy. Check with your embassy because some countries are eligible to obtain an electronic certificate with a QR code and not a stamp in the embassy which makes the procedure much faster.
- Medical report.
- Visa Issuance:
- Submit all documents to the Saudi embassy or visa service center.
- Pay the applicable fees.
Duration:
- Initial entry to Saudi Arabia is for 90 days to process an Iqama (residency permit). After 3 months, if your contract is confirmed, you will be granted an extension. Thinking of staying in the country permanently? Well, good news! After many years of rejecting the idea of a permanent residency for foreigners, the Kingdom issued the several permanent residency in the last 2 years. If you want t o find out more on how to apply check the official website of the Premium Residency or scroll down to the point 8 of this post.
4. Family Visit Visa
The Family Visit Visa allows expatriates in Saudi Arabia to invite close relatives for a short-term visit. This means that if you have relatives who live in Saudi Arabia, they must start the practice for you and once it is approved, you will have to send some documents to the Saudi Embassy in your country and conclude the process. To be honest, I find that requesting a tourist visa is so much easier that even if you are planning to visit a relative, it’s just easier to pally for a tourist visa online.
Eligibility:
- Expatriates with a valid Iqama can sponsor immediate family members (spouse, children, parents, and in-laws).
How to Apply:
- MOFA Application:
- Log in to the MOFA portal and fill out the “Family Visit Visa” form.
- Submit the form and get it attested by your employer or chamber of commerce.
- Submit Documents:
- Passport copies of the applicant and family members.
- Iqama copy of the sponsor.
- Relationship proof (e.g., marriage or birth certificates).
- Visa Processing:
- The application is reviewed by MOFA.
- Once approved, the family members must submit their documents at the Saudi embassy in their country.
Duration:
- Single-entry visa (30, 60, or 90 days).
- Multiple-entry visas are available for up to one year.
5. Umrah Visa
The Umrah Visa is for Muslims traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, a pilgrimage that can be undertaken any time of the year (unlike Hajj). Don’t even try to obtain this visa if you are not a Muslim. Cheating really doesn’t pay off.
Eligibility:
- Muslim travelers only
How to Apply:
- Through Authorized Agents:
- Contact an authorized Umrah travel agent in your country.
- Provide your passport, photos, and required fees.
- Online (for select countries):
- Apply for an eVisa on the Visit Saudi platform.
Documents Required:
- Valid passport.
- Recent photos.
- Flight tickets and accommodation details.
Duration:
- Valid for 15 days to one month.
6. Student Visa
The Student Visa is for international students accepted into Saudi universities or educational institutions.
Eligibility:
- Students with an acceptance letter from a recognized institution in Saudi Arabia.
How to Apply:
- Acceptance Letter:
- Obtain an official letter from the university.
- Submit Documents:
- Passport valid for at least six months.
- Completed application form.
- Academic transcripts.
- Medical examination report.
- Police clearance certificate.
- Embassy Processing:
- Submit the application to the Saudi embassy along with the required fees. As of December 2024 this visa can be obtain only through the local Embassies but maybe the things will change soon. Fingers crossed, the process will be available on the e-visa website soon.
Duration:
- Varies based on the length of the academic program.
- If you finish your studies in Saudi, you cannot stay in the country on this visa. If you are planning to stay in the Kingdom after your degree, it is advisable to make sure that you have a working contract ready before the graduation. In this way you can apply directly for the working visa. Otherwise, you have leave the country before your student visa expires and then start the process of working visa application from abroad.
7. Hajj Visa
The Hajj Visa is specifically for Muslims traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, the annual pilgrimage. Again, don’t try to pretend that you are going to Hajj if you are not. It won’t pay off and you can get in lots of trouble. There are all sorts of other visas to enter the country.
Eligibility:
- Muslims with no history of Hajj in the last five years (exceptions apply).
How to Apply:
- Through Authorized Agents:
- Contact a licensed Hajj agent in your country.
- Documents Required:
- Valid passport.
- Proof of Mahram (for female pilgrims under 45).
- Vaccination certificate (e.g., meningitis).
- Recent photos.
Duration:
- Valid for the duration of Hajj season (approximately one month).
8. Residency Visa (Iqama)
The Residency Visa, or Iqama, is for expatriates working or living in Saudi Arabia long-term.
Eligibility:
- Sponsored by a Saudi employer or family member.
- Working in Saudi for at least 6 months
Criteria to obtain permanent residency visa:
- The applicant must have a valid passport.
- The applicant must be at least 21 years of age.
- The applicant must not have a criminal record
- The applicant must provide evidence of their financial solvency
- The applicant must provide a health report on the health status of the applicant
- The applicant must hold a valid Iqama (work permit) if applying from within the Kingdom
Duration:
- Valid for 1-2 years, renewable.
9. Transit Visa
The Transit Visa is designed for travelers passing through Saudi Arabia to a third destination. It’s a great option if you have a layover and wish to explore nearby attractions or simply rest overnight.
Key Features:
- Short duration: Typically valid for stays of up to 48 or 96 hours.
- Purpose: Meant for layovers or connecting flights.
Eligibility:
- Travelers with confirmed onward tickets to a third destination.
- Passports valid for at least six months.
- Citizens of countries that are eligible for Saudi visas
How to Apply:
- Through the Airline:
- Some airlines, like Saudia Airlines and Flynas, can assist with transit visa arrangements when you book your ticket. The best option.
- Contact the airline’s customer service to inquire about the process.
- Through the Saudi Embassy:
- If your airline does not offer assistance, apply at the nearest Saudi consulate or embassy.
- Required documents include:
- A valid passport.
- A confirmed onward flight ticket.
- Visa application form.
- A recent passport-sized photo.
- Visa fee payment (varies by nationality but generally around $30–$50).
Requirements:
- Proof of onward travel (flight ticket showing your final destination and layover details).
- Valid passport with at least two blank pages.
- Possibly a hotel booking confirmation for your stay during the layover.
Processing Time: Typically processed within hours, at most a couple of business days, though some airlines may arrange expedited options.
General Tips for a Smooth Application Process
- Double-Check Requirements: Each visa type has specific requirements. Missing documents can delay the process.
- Use Official Portals: Always use official Saudi government websites or trusted agents to apply.
- Plan Ahead: If you are applying for any other visa than the tourist one, start the application process well in advance of your travel dates. The tourist e-visa is an incredibly fast process if you submit all the documents correctly.
- Stay Updated: Regulations can change, so check the latest information on official platforms. The Kingdom is experiencing huge changes related also to the immigration policies so many practices can become more straightforward but it also depends on your nationality so don’t take anything for granted and verify with the official sources.
Saudi Arabia’s visa system is designed to cater to various needs, whether you’re exploring the stunning landscapes, visiting family, or pursuing professional opportunities. By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to apply for the right visa and enjoy a hassle-free experience.
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