Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia? This is a question anyone looking to visit Saudi Arabia would ask, and the simple answer is yes. Anyone looking to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia needs a visa to enter the country.
Saudi Arabia is one of the most visited countries in the world, with millions visiting from different parts of the world annually; some for business or pleasure but most for Hajj.
How To Obtain A Saudi Arabia Visa?
There are two ways to apply for and obtain a visa for Saudi Arabian authorities , which are explained below.
Apply To The Saudi Arabia Embassy
The first way to apply for a visa is to apply to the Saudi Arabian embassy. This method is the only option for those who wish to visit and stay in Saudi Arabia for an extended time. Embassy applications require applicants to visit the embassy in their respective countries to fill out the visa application form.
Some documents will be required as well as the visa fee. Embassy applications are complex as officials will have to do a detailed check on each document submitted for review. The process may take 15 – 20 working days before the application is approved, and within the period the applicant will be invited for a one-on-one interview with embassy officials.
Apply Online
Another method to apply for a visa is to do so online. Online applications are quite popular, and most visitors who enter Saudi Arabia use an online visa. The online application is for those who want to spend only a short time in Saudi Arabia. This is the application route for those applying for an e Visa.
What Is A Saudi Arabia e Visa & Do I Need It?
You need an e-visa if you are from one of the 49 countries on the e-visa eligibility list. A Saudi Arabian e visa is an electronic visa obtainable online by completing an online form and attaching a few documents before submitting it for approval. E visas are easy to obtain and take only a few hours to process. It is valid for 1 year and allows the holder to stay in the country for up to 90 days. E visas are ideal for Umrah-related activities, excluding Hajj. They can also be used for tourism and short family or business visits.
If your country is not on the tourist exemption list but is on the Saudi Arabia Evisa list, this is the ideal tourist visa to apply for if you don’t plan to stay long in Saudi Arabia. You can fill out the form and attach the necessary documents from the comfort of your home using your smartphone or laptop.
You need an e-visa if you are from one of the 49 countries on the e-visa eligibility list. A Saudi Arabian e visa is an electronic visa obtainable online by completing an online form and attaching a few documents before submitting it for approval. E visas are easy to obtain and take only a few hours to process. It is valid for 1 year and allows the holder to stay in the country for up to 90 days. E visas are ideal for Umrah-related activities, excluding Hajj. They can also be used for tourism and short family or business visits
An E-visa functions like other tourist visas issued to visitors because it grants permission to the holder to enter Saudi Arabia; however, it is not a guarantee that you will be allowed into the country by immigration officers if you fail to convince them of your reasons for visiting.
Visitors who fail to fulfill immigration requirements or provide fictitious documents will be denied entry into the country even if they hold a Saudi visa. Saudi Arabian immigration officials have the full right to allow or deny a visitor entry on any ground.
Application Requirements
There are different documentary requirements depending on the visa you are applying for, but there are some general documents all applicants must provide. Ensure you enquire about the required document for the particular visa you are applying for before you commence the application.
Here are some general documents the Saudi government will be asked to provide.
Valid Passport: A valid passport with at least 6 months and two blank pages left. The passport used in the form must be the same one the applicant travels to Saudi Arabia with.
Photograph: A digital photograph of themselves taken and uploaded on the online application form.
Invitation Letter: An invitation letter is required for business e visas. The employer or organization must sign the letter inviting the applicant to the country.
Educational certificate: The applicant must provide an educational certificate if the visa application is for a short-term work visa. Including another letter from the employer and the Chamber of Commerce
Note: Some foreign nationals may need to provide evidence of medical insurance.
Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia? Yes, you do. For a fast application process, visit VisaHQ to complete the online application form.