Travelling to Saudi Arabia for tourism was practically unheard of until a few years ago. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is most famous as an Islamic pilgrimage destination due to the presence of the holy cities of Mecca and Madina. However, in recent years, the country has opened its arms and borders to welcome tourists who want to explore Saudi Arabia.
The government of Saudi Arabia has been issuing visas to foreigners since 2019. Moreover, in a short period, the country has become the second-fastest growing tourism destination in the world. Besides that, one can also unlock business opportunities or go on family trips with a Saudi 1-month business and visit visa.
What makes Saudi Arabia fascinating to tourists is that it remains relatively unexplored compared to other tourist destinations. The breathtaking rugged landscapes, the rich historical sites, and the deep-rooted culture attract people from around the world. But before you start making plans, it is important to know everything you need to know about a Saudi Arabia tourist visa.
A. Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa: An Overview
The Saudi Arabia tourist visa is available in two forms: an e-visa and a visa on arrival. One can apply for a single-entry and a multiple-entry Saudi Arabia visa. You can stay in Saudi Arabia for 30 days with a single-entry tourist visa. On the other hand, a multiple-entry visa is valid for a year, giving you the right to stay in the country for 90 days at a time till the validity of the visa expires. Here we have explained the process of applying for a Saudi Arabia tourist visa, including the eligibility, documents required, steps to follow, and visa fee.
B. Eligibility for Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa
1. Saudi Arabia eVisa:
The Saudi Arabia e-visa is available to citizens of 49 countries worldwide. Here is the list of countries that are eligible for Saudi Arabia e-visa:
- Oceania: Australia and New Zealand
- Asia: Brunei, China (including Macau and Hong Kong), Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea
- Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and United Kingdom
- North America: Canada and the United States of America
- GCC Countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates
2. Saudi Arabia Visa on Arrival:
If you are not a part of the above-mentioned countries, you can get a Saudi Arabia visa on arrival if you fulfill the following conditions:
- You have a valid UK, USA, or Schengen tourist or business visa.
- You have used the visa at least once and have an entry and exit stamp of one of these countries on your passport.
- You have a permanent residence visa for the USA, UK or one of the countries of the European Union.
Apart from these, independent travelers should be above the age of 18 years to get a Saudi Arabia visa. Only children (under 18 years) accompanying parents from the above countries will be issued a tourist visa to Saudi Arabia. Other nationals, like Indians, must apply for Saudi Arabia through an Embassy or application center.
C. Process for Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa
The process of applying for a Saudi Arabi e-visa is quite simple. You must follow these three steps:
- Contact our visa experts. They will help you from document verification to application submission in Embassy.
- You have to submit the list of supporting documents to the mentioned mail.
- Once you have submitted the visa application form and documents, the next step is to pay the visa fee and wait for approval.
After you have successfully completed all the above-mentioned steps, you will receive your Saudi Arabia e-visa within 1-2 business days.
In case you are eligible for visa on arrival, the visa will be issued to you at the Saudi Arabia port of entry. In both cases, you need to produce the same documents. You can then check the status of Saudi Arabia visa online.
D. Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa Requirements
Submitting the right documents is crucial to ensure that your Saudi Arabia visa is approved. Here is the list of documents you need to submit:
- Passport: Your passport should have a minimum validity of six months from the date of returning from Saudi Arabia. It should have at least two blank pages for the visa stamp.
- UAE Residence Visa: As you are an ex-pat applying for a visa from Dubai, you need to submit a copy of your UAE residence visa. Your visa should have a minimum validity of 90 days.
- Photographs: You need to submit three recent passport-size photographs along with your application form. The size of Saudi Visa photos should be 3.5cm x 4.5cm. They should be in color, and the background should be white.
- NOC from Employer: You must submit a letter written by your employer addressed to the Saudi Arabia embassy. The letter should contain details like your designation, salary, joining date, and purpose of traveling to Saudi Arabia.
- Self-Introduction Letter: If you are a business person, you must submit a self-introduction letter that states details like your monthly income and the names and passport details of your company’s partners, owners, and investors.
- Health Insurance: You must submit proof of your health insurance covering all your medical emergency expenditures during your stay in Saudi Arabia.
- Financial Proof: It is necessary to prove that you have enough financial resources to support yourself during your holiday in Saudi Arabia. You will have to submit the bank statements for the last three months.
- Confirmed Flight Tickets: The documents should also include a copy of your confirmed return flight tickets and detailed travel itinerary.
- Proof of Accommodation: You need to submit a copy of your hotel reservation. If you are staying at the house of a family member or friend, you need to include the host’s name, address, and passport details.
E. Visa Fee for Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa
The Saudi Arabia tourist visa fee will depend on the type of visa you are applying for. The cost of the visa will also depend on your nationality. Citizens of GCC countries can get a Saudi Arabia tourist visa at AED 750. On the other hand, the process for a multiple-entry Saudi visa for US nationals is AED 900.
Conclusion
If you want to travel to Saudi Arabia but do not want to handle the visa process on your own, you can consult a visa agency to do the job for you. In this case, the agency will handle entire process, leaving you free to plan and pack for your trip to Saudi Arabia.
A travel influencer, adventurer and blogger on a mision to dicover the hidden gems of this beautiful planet. For me traveling isn’t a hobby, but a way of living.
