Saudi Arabia Visa
Saudi Arabia is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Middle East as of October 2018 and the 18th largest in the world.
Saudi Arabia has some of the most restrictive travel policies in the world, and advance visas are required for all foreigners desiring to enter. The only significant exception is citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council nations.
Visitors to Saudi Arabia must obtain a visa in advance unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. Saudi Arabia does not currently issue tourist visas.
Visa Exemption
Citizens of the following 4 countries do not require a visa to visit Saudi Arabia and may use national ID Cards to enter the country:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- United Arab Emirates
Visa exemption also applies to holders of diplomatic and official passports of France.
TYPES OF SAUDI ARABIA VISA
There are a lot of types of Saudi Arabia visa, but today we just discuss some common types of visa that people often apply for when they come to Saudi Arabia.
This visa is issued for Newborn who reside with their parents in Saudi Arabia without a visa authorization number only if they are less than one year old.
Business visas are issued to: businessmen, investors, representatives of U.S. companies, managers, sales managers, sales representatives, etc.
Family visit visas do not grant the applicant the right to work or reside in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
A special visa category exists for pilgrims coming to Saudi Arabia on the Hajj.
The Saudi Consulate Section of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC would like to inform prospective Umrah applicants applicants to check with authorized Umrah travel agencies for the beginning and end of the annual Umrah seasons. Umrah visas are valid for 15 days and not valid for work or residence.
This is generally required for applicants travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform short term technical activities.
SAUDI ARABIA VISA REQUIREMENTS
Work Visit Visa Requirements
- A passport valid for at least six (6) months, with at least two (2) clear visa pages adjacent to each other.
- One (1) recent passport size color photograph with a white background.
- A completed application form filled-out in CAPITAL LETTERS in black ink or printed. Application forms can be downloaded. Please include your email address on the application.
- A copy of the company’s business registration
- An electronic invitation Letter from a Saudi Company.
- Additional documents may be requested if needed.
- Visa fees
Business Visa Requirements
- A passport valid for at least six (6) months, with at least two (2) clear visa pages adjacent to each other.
- One (1) recent passport size color photograph with a white background. Photograph(s) must be full-face shots in which the applicant is facing the camera directly. Side or angled-views are NOT accepted. Guidelines for accepted photograph for Visa.
- A completed application form filled-out with a black ink pen or printed. Application forms can be downloaded here. Please include your email address on the application.
- Please provide one of the following documents to prove the applicant’s position:
- A letter addressed to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C. by the applicant’s employer in the U.S., which confirms the applicant’s position and that he is being sent on a business visit related to his/her company.
- A copy of the company’s business registration, in Saudi Arabia and in the U.S
- An electronic invitation Letter from a Saudi Company.
- A diplomatic note from the applicant’s embassy in the U.S. identifying his/her title (for non-U.S. citizens).
- Additional documents may be requested if needed.
- Visa fees
Family Visit Visa Requirements
1. A passport valid for at least six months, with at least two (2) clear visa pages adjacent to each other.
2. One (1) recent passport size color photograph with a white background
3. A completed application form filled-out with in CAPITAL LETTERS a black ink pen or printed.
4. A reference note showing the number and the date of the visa issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or any of its branches in Jeddah or Dammam.
Hajj visa requirements
1. The applicant must have a passport with a validity of at least six (6) months and acceptable both for entry to Saudi Arabia and entry to the next destination; the passport should have at least two empty visa pages adjacent to each other.
2. Each applicant must submit one (1) recent passport size color photograph with a white background.
3. A completed application form filled-out with black ink or printed; the form must be signed and stamped by the authorized travel agency.
4. The Mahram should write his complete information on the application forms of his spouse and children or any relative with whom he is traveling. He should also provide copies of marriage or birth certificates
5. All women are required to travel for Hajj with a Mahram. Proof of kinship must be submitted with the application form.
6. The applicant must be in possession of a non-refundable roundtrip ticket with confirmed reservations.
7. The applicant must submit proof of vaccination for meningitis and ACYW135. For infants and children up to fifteen (15) years of age, a vaccination report is required for polio as well as meningitis and polio. Children over fifteen (15) years of age should present the same vaccinations requested for adults.
Meningitis and ACYW135.
The seasonal (or common) flu, which should be taken two weeks before applying for the visa.
The H1N1 flu, if a vaccine is made available before Hajj season, and should be taken two weeks before applying for the visa.
Infants and children up to fifteen (15) years of age should provide a vaccination report for meningococcal and polio.
Children above fifteen (15) years of age should present the same vaccinations requested for adults.
Health experts advise the following groups to postpone their plans for Hajj and Omrah this year for their own safety: The elderly, the terminally ill, pregnant women, and children.
8. Each pilgrim should submit two certified checks or cashier checks payable to "Unified Agents Office" in Jeddah for pilgrimage services. These checks should include the name and the passport number of the pilgrim.
Umrah Visas Rquirements
1.The applicant must have a passport with a validity of at least six (6) months and acceptable both for entry to Saudi Arabia and entry to the next destination; the passport should have at least two empty visa pages adjacent to each other.
2. Each applicant must submit one (1) recent passport size color photograph with a white background.
3. A completed application form filled-out with black ink or printed; the form must be signed and stamped by the authorized travel agency.
4. The Mahram should write his complete information on the application forms of his spouse and children or any relative with whom he is traveling. He should also provide copies of marriage or birth certificates;
5. All women are required to travel for Umrah with a Mahram. Proof of kinship must be submitted with the application form. Women over the age of forty-five (45) may travel without a Mahram with an organized group, They must, however submits a no objection letter from her husband, son or brother authorizing her to travel for Umrah with the named group. This letter should be notarized.
6. The applicant must be in possession of a non-refundable roundtrip ticket with confirmed reservations.
7. The applicant must submit proof of vaccination for meningitis and ACYW135. For infants and children up to fifteen (15) years of age, a vaccination report is required for polio as well as meningitis and polio. Children over fifteen (15) years of age should present the same vaccinations requested for adults.
Meningitis and ACYW135.
The seasonal (or common) flu, which should be taken two weeks before applying for the visa.
The H1N1 flu, if a vaccine is made available before Hajj season, and should be taken two weeks before applying for the visa.
Infants and children up to fifteen (15) years of age should provide a vaccination report for meningococcal and polio.
Children above fifteen (15) years of age should present the same vaccinations requested for adults.
Health experts advise the following groups to postpone their plans for Hajj and Umrah this year for their own safety:
The elderly, the terminally ill, pregnant women, and children.
8.Umrah visas will only be granted once the competent authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have approved the applicant’s request.
9. The validity of the Umrah visa is one month. The length of stay in the Kingdom will depend on the duration of the Umrah program chosen by the applicant.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A SAUDI ARABIA VISA
The application form is available from your nearest Saudi Consulate. But it is advisable to appoint a licensed travel agent, who will arrange a visa, as well as your travel and accommodation and anything else you may need to perform the visa. The travel agent will send your application form to the Saudi Consulate.
If you want to apply for a visa application in person, you should consider the following steps:
Make a check list of the documents that you need to submit along with your application form. Gather all the documents and keep them ready for submission.
Submit your completed visa application form in person or through a representative or travel agent at the Saudi Embassy or Consulate nearest to you, along with all the required documentation. Pay the applicable fee for your visa application at the time of submitting your application form.
After your visa is issued you will be notified about it. Collect your visa on time.
VISA PROCESSING TIME
Processing time varies by embassy and nationality. Total process takes 3-5 months for a new employer.
SAUDI ARABIA APPLICATION FORM DOWNLOAD
All applicants must download the visa application form, fill in the required details and submit it with mandatory documents to start the process for a Saudi Arabia visa.
You can download Saudi Arabia visa application form from internet or get directly from the embassy or consulate. It is recommended to contact nearest Saudia Arabian embassy or consulate before starting prepare all required documents for application process.