Transit Visa For Saudi Arabia

If you’ve been getting the runaround with your visa approval in Saudi Arabia, let us make the process easier. It’s time to get the visas on your own back with our hassle-free services.

A Saudi tourist visa is a permission from the Saudi government to its citizens as well as foreigners to visit any of the cities of Saudi Arabia for a time period not exceeding sixty days. Saudi tourist visa is required for all non-citizens who want to enter Saudi Arabia  for tourism purposes. Saudi tourist visa is issued on arrival at the ports of entry in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country, and there are rules that you must follow when entering the country.

You must be able to prove that you have enough money to live on while you are visiting Saudi Arabia. You cannot get a tourist visa if you can’t prove this.

In addition, if you are not married, then you will need to show that you have an invitation from someone living in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Visa Types

Saudi Arabia issued visas for the following purposes:

• Tourism
• Business
• Family Visit
• Transit
• Hajj/Umrah
• Work/Employment
• Studying

Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa

The Tourist Visa for Saudi Arabia is issued to foreigners who will enter the country for tourism purposes. As detailed above, the Tourist Visa for Saudi Arabia is issued online or on arrival to citizens of several countries.

Everyone who is not eligible for an eVisa/Visa On Arrival must apply at an Embassy or Consulate of Saudi Arabia instead.

Saudi Arabia Business Visa

Foreigners traveling to Saudi Arabia for business-related purposes can enter the Kingdom through an eVisa, as detailed above.

If not eligible for an eVisa you can apply for a regular Saudi Arabia Business Visa at an Embassy/Consulate of Saudi Arabia near you, in which case you have to provide the following supporting documents:

• A letter addressed to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia where you are applying by your employer confirming you are taking this trip for business.
• Letter of Invitation from the Saudi company
• Company registration documents by both the inviting company in Saudi Arabia and the company you work for in your country of residence.

Saudi Arabia Visit Visa

A Visit Visa to Saudi Arabia is issued to foreigners who want to visit a family member in the Kingdom or for a personal visit.

eVisas can be used if you will travel to Saudi Arabia for a family visit, provided that you are from one of the permitted countries. If you are not, you have to apply for a Saudi Arabia Visit Visa at an Embassy/Consulate.

Saudi Arabia Transit Visa

If  you are transiting through Saudi Arabia on your way to a third country of destination, you must have a Saudi Arabia Visa, unless:

• You are traveling via Dammam (DMM), Jeddah (JED) or Riyadh (RUH) international airport
• You have a confirmed onward flight ticket a third country within 12 hours
• You do not leave the international transit area of the airport
• You have the required documents for the next country (eg. a visa)

Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa

The Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa is issued to Muslim Pilgrims from around the world who want to enter Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj or Umrah. The Hajj Visa is issued free of charge at the Embassies or Consulates of Saudi Arabia abroad.

Note: Those eligible for a Saudi Arabia eVisa can also use it to enter the Kingdom to perform Hajj/Umrah.

How to apply for a Saudi Arabia Visa?

The process for a Saudi Arabia visa application depends on your nationality:

• Apply online or on arrival (if eligible for an eVisa)
• Apply at an Embassy or Consulate of Saudi Arabia in your country (if not eligible for an eVisa)

Applying for a Saudi Arabian Visa online

If you are eligible for an eVisa, you have to apply through the official tourism website of Saudi Arabia (here).  The application process for a Saudi Arabia eVisa is pretty simple and straightforward. You have to:

• Access the eVisa application website
• Click on the “Apply Now” button
• Complete the Saudi Arabia Visa application form
• Pay the Saudi Arabia visa fee
• Wait for the eVisa to be processed (it usually only takes about 30 minutes)
• After you receive the eVisa, you can print it out and use it to enter the country within 90 days.

The Immigration at the airport in Saudi Arabia will check your visa before they allow you to enter the country.

Note: There are other non-official websites that offer to process eVisas for Saudi Arabia. While some are legitimate others may not be, so be careful when submitting an application. If you apply through one of these websites, you also have to pay for an additional service fee on top of the eVisa fee.

Required documents for Saudi Arabia eVisa

You do not have to upload any documents when you apply for the Saudi Arabia online visa. You just have to give your correct passport information and answer several security-related questions.

You must give your passport details and answer all the questions truthfully, because you will be screened, and if it is revealed you gave misinformation, you will be denied entry.

The validity of a Saudi Arabia eVisa

The Saudi Arabia eVisa is valid for one year and allows multiple entries in the country. You can stay up to 90 days each entry but no more than 180 days per year.

Applying for a Saudi Arabian Visa at an Embassy/Consulate

If you are not eligible for a Saudi Arabian eVisa, you will have to apply at an Embassy or Consulate of Saudi Arabia nearest to you.

• When you apply at an Embassy/Consulate, you will have to submit several supporting documents, as requested by the consular staff.
• You likely have to appear in person, although some offices may accept visa application submissions by mail or through an authorized travel agency.
• Once you submit the completed application, you have to wait 1-2 days for the application to be processed, although it may take longer depending on the specific Embassy/Consulate.
• After your application has been processed, you can pick up your visa during the pick-up hours.

Since different Embassies or Consulates may have their own rules and requirements, it is always advisable to contact them first. You will learn about whether you need to make an appointment, their opening hours, and their specific requirements. Find the diplomatic missions of Saudi Arabia here.

Documents required when applying for a Saudi Arabia visa at Embassy/Consulate

The documents you have to submit if you apply for a Saudi Arabia Visa at an Embassy or Consulate change depending on the specific diplomatic mission as well as the reason you request the visa. However, this includes:

• Saudi Arabia Visa Application Form, completed and signed. You can usually find it at the Embassy or Consulate offices or on their website.
• Passport-size picture(s) with the following specifications:
  • Dimensions: 2 inch x 2 inch
  • Recent (no older than six months)
  • While background, without any patterns
  • You must be staring straight ahead
  • Your face must be fully visible
• Proof of sufficient financial means to cover the duration of your stay (bank statements)
• Your passport, which must be valid for at least another six months
• Proof of accommodation in Saudi Arabia (eg. hotel reservation)
• A booked return flight ticket
• Travel itinerary
• Proof of employment, such as:
  • Letter from employer (if you are employed)
  • Business registration (if you are self-employed)
  • Letter from your school (if you are a student)
• Any other additional documents, as requested. See the specific visa types below to learn about any specific additional documents you have to submit.

Saudi Arabia visa fee

The visa fee a Saudi Arabia eVisa is SAR 440 (appx. US$ 117), but the visa fee can change at any time. In addition, you also have to pay VAT at the applicable rates.

When you apply at an Embassy or Consulate, the fee depends on the country from which you are applying, as does the preferred payment method.

Conclusion

Whether you travel for business or for pleasure, a travel visa is one of the most important documents to have in hand. While you can find out everything you need to know about acquiring a Saudi tourist visa here, it can still be a complicated and lengthy process to get all the necessary paperwork in order. That’s why we’ve taken matters into our own hands by creating an online platform (www.touriago.com) where travelers like you can apply for their Saudi Arabian tourist visas quickly, conveniently, and inexpensively. By using our website, everyone should be able to easily apply for their Saudi Arabia visas without having to do any of the legwork themselves. It’s that simple.