Saudi Visa: Everything You Need to Know About Acquiring a Visa for Your Trip to KSA

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Now that Saudi Arabia's international flight has been officially reopened on the 17th of May, international travel to and from the kingdom has been largely restored. For those wishing to visit Saudi Arabia, visas will once again be issued by the authorities to accommodate the various needs of various travellers.

Here is everything you need to know about Saudi visa; what types of available visas, which countries are eligible, as well as the prevailing restrictions.

When will Saudi Arabia's flight restrictions be lifted?

The first international flight has resumed on the 17th of May when a flight departing from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh embarked on a journey to Sarajevo International Airport. The flight signifies the lifting of the restrictions on residents and citizens traveling abroad.

However, 13 countries remain on the Kingdom's ban list which means that travellers originating from these countries will not be permitted to enter Saudi Arabia even if arriving indirectly through a third country. The listed countries are as follows:

Afghanistan, Armenia, Belarus, Democratic Congo, India, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Turkey, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Travel to most of the above countries will now be permitted but the authorities also stated that the ban will also include 'any other country that is yet to control the pandemic' or is proven to have an outbreak of a variant strain of the virus.

This will not apply to Saudi citizens and their families and accompanying workers, diplomats, health practitioners, and their families.

What types of Saudi visas will be available?

For travellers traveling from eligible countries, the following visas are available.

Business Visa

Travellers looking to enter the Kingdom for business purposes may apply for a Saudi business visa here. Among the required documents are:

• A valid passport (with blank pages)
• Passport photographs
• Completed application form
• A letter of invitation from the sponsor company in Saudi Arabia that is approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• A letter from your employer confirming your employment and upcoming trip
• Any other required documents depending on the applicant's country of origin

Religious Visa

Religious visas accommodate Muslims around the world looking to embark on the pilgrims of Umrahand Hajj. These visas allow foreign pilgrims access to the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah. For both Umrah and Hajj, travellers may contact the nearest Saudi consulate but are encouraged to appoint a licensed travel agent to assist them in arranging their pilgrimage. Please find the list of approved travel agents for Umrahand Hajj.

Umrah visa requirements

• A completed original Umrah visa application form.
• One recent passport size color photograph with a white background should be attached to the application form.
• Passports should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of submission of the application form.
• Confirmed and non-refundable airline ticket. Departure from Saudi Arabia should be within two weeks from the date of entry.
• Women and children should be accompanied by husband/father or a male relative (Mahram). Women aged 45 years old or older are allowed to go without a Mahram if travelling with an organized group or family.
• A vaccination certificate against Meningococcal Meningitis should be attached. Please note that the current vaccination requirements also extend to COVID-19 vaccination.

Umrah visa is provided free of charge but please note that applicants may be required to pay for other visa-related services. Please consult your official Umrah travel agent for the full details.

Hajj visa requirements

Please note that Hajj visas are only being issued from Mid-Shawwal until 25th Dhual-Qa'dah of each year.

• A passport valid for at least six more 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.
• Each applicant must submit one recent passport size color photograph with a white background.
• Applicants must submit a completed application form filled in with black ink pen or printed; the form must be signed and stamped by the authorized travel agency.
• The Mahram should write on the application forms complete information on his spouse and children or any relative with whom he is traveling. He should also provide copies of marriage or birth certificates.
• The applicant must be in possession of a non-refundable roundtrip ticket with confirmed reservations.
• A vaccination certificate against Meningococcal Meningitis should be attached. Please note that the current vaccination requirements also extend to COVID-19 vaccination.
• Each pilgrim should submit two certified checks or cashier checks payable to 'Unified Agents Office' in Jeddah for pilgrimage services.

Hajj visa is provided free of charge but please note that applicants may be required to pay for other visa-related services. Please consult your official Umrah travel agent for the full details.

Tourist visa/eVisa

Saudi Arabia is opening its gates to the world through the issuance of the new tourist visa/eVisa. Travellers looking to take in the hidden beauty of Saudi Arabia may start their journey by applying for a tourist visa here.

Tourist visa requirements

• A valid passport for a minimum of 6 months; requirements may vary depending on the individual countries
• Travellers must be over the age of 18 unless accompanied by a guardian

Visa on arrival

Visa on arrival is available in line with the following:

• Applicants are travelling from one of the eligible countries (detailed below)
• Applicants are holding USA, United Kingdom, or Schengen visas. Said visas must be either tourist or business and travel must be travelling with SAUDIA or any other of Saudi Arabia's national air carriers.

Eligible countries

North America

Canada, the United States

Europe

Switzerland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Monaco, Andorra, Russia, Malta, Montenegro, San Marino, Ukraine, UK, Portugal, Poland, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Greece, Slovenia, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia

Asia

Brunei, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Kazakhstan, China

Including Hong Kong and Macau

Oceania

Australia, New Zealand

Travellers outside the eligible countries list may apply for a consulate visa through Saudi embassies and consulates. You can locate the nearest Saudi consulate here.

Family Visit Visa

For those wishing to visit families and relatives residing in Saudi Arabia, they may take advantage of a special Family Visit Visa afforded by the Kingdom. Requirements are as follows:

• Original passport valid for no less than six (6) months, with at least two (2) successive empty visa pages.
• To fill your online application and make a visa payment, please log on to https://enjazit.com.sa/. (Guideline for Enjaz) Health insurance must be purchased from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Options for local health insurance providers will appear upon processing your Enjaz form.
• A visa referral note: indicating number and date of the visa, issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs or either of its branches in Jeddah or Dammam.
• Proof of relationship between the applicant and inviting party in, along with proof of relationship between applicants themselves, if any.
• Minors (under 18 years) travelling alone, or with one parent, must submit a notarized letter in Arabic or English signed by a parent or a legal guardian.
• For non-US citizens, a copy of a green card or document confirming legal residence in the US is required

Those residing in the US may apply for the visa by:

• Applying in person at the embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Via Mail to the Embassy's address: 601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 20037.
• Through the Embassy's authorized travel agencies.

Restrictions

There are strict restrictions in place pertaining to certain items being transported into the Saudi Arabian borders. The items are as follows:

• alcoholic beverages
• pork and pork products
• prohibited drugs and narcotics
• firearms, explosives, edged weapons
• pornographic materials

Please refer hereprior to your trip to Saudi Arabia.

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