What is Saudi Arabia famous for? Many things make Saudi Arabia famous, such as oil, being the origin of Islam, the world's largest sand desert (Rub' Al Khali), the world's largest oasis (Al-Ahsa), and more. Every year millions of people visit Saudi Arabia. Particularly the number of visitors increases during the pilgrimage period. Considering that some of our readers are interested in traveling to Saudi Arabia, we decided to give priceless details about Saudi Arabia visa types and Saudi Arabia visa policy. In this blog, you will get answers to these questions: how to get Saudi Arabia visa, how much is Saudi Arabia visa, what are Saudi Arabia visa types, what is Saudi Arabia visa policy, and more.
Saudi Arabia visa types
More than 8 million people travel to Saudi Arabia per year. Most tourists should get a visa to visit this remarkable country. There are several visa types for Saudi Arabia, depending on the purpose of the visit and planned stay time. Saudi Arabia has four main visa types:
- Short-term Visa
- Long-term Visa
- E-visa
- Transit Visa
Also, all of these categories have some subcategories related to the visit purpose.
Saudi Arabia electronic visa
One of the best ways to apply for a visa for any country is through an online application. It gives you a chance to realize your aim without leaving your home and waiting in front of embassies. Thankfully, there is an online Saudi Arabia visa, too. The Saudi Arabia electronic visa is valid for one year and allows multiple entries in the country. The applicant can stay a maximum of 90 days each entry but no more than 180 days per year. Citizens of 47 countries can apply for an online Saudi Arabia visa. Some of these countries are:
- Andorra
- France
- Malta
- Slovenia
- Austria
- Finland
- Malaysia
- Spain
- Australia
- Germany
Furthermore, all applicants must provide these documents during the application process:
- Online Application Form
- Passport. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date
- Some papers that the applicant should bring with himself in Saudi Arabia: Printed Saudi Arabia e-visa, travel itinerary, and a letter of invitation from a host or organization in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia visa fee for online applications changes between 50-215 USD, and the processing time is 3-5 working days.
Saudi Arabia Short-term Visa
People who want to temporarily visit Saudi Arabia can apply for short-term visas. There are several types depending on the reason for the travel:
- Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa
- Saudi Arabia Government Visa
- Saudi Arabia Diplomatic and Official Visa
- Saudi Arabia Business Visa
- Saudi Arabia Family Visa
- Saudi Arabia Hajj Visa
Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa
A tourist visa is for foreigners who want to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism activities. The holders of a Tourist visa are eligible to perform in Umrah. The tourist visa is valid for up to one full year (365 days) with a maximum duration of 90 days at one time and multiple entries. Required documents are:
- Application form. The applicant must fully complete and sign
- Photo. Passport format, a recent whole-face capture with a light background, 3.5 x 4.5 colored, and the head should take 70-80% of the photo, neutral facial expression. Additionally, try to avoid clothes or colors matching the background.
- Passport and copy of the main page. The applicant's passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date and has two free pages.
- Copy of ID card
- Residence permit/visa copy (if applicant's residency and citizenship are different)
- Health insurance. It should cover the stay time in the country
- Proof of accommodation. It can be a hotel or a private house. In both situations, the applicant should provide the address and other details
- Travel itinerary
- Proof of employment. Letter from Local Employer
- Proof of financial means. Personal bank statements, personal property, etc.
How much is Saudi Arabia visa for tourism? Saudi Arabia visa fee changes between 50-215 USD depending on the nationality or country of submission. The processing time is 3-7 working days.
Saudi Arabia Government Visa
It is a short-term visa, which the government gives. The documents and the applicant's details are almost the same as a tourist visa (check the visa policy section on our website). Additionally, you need to show an invitation letter during the application process. You should notice visa approval issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an electronic letter of invitation issued by the business in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the company must sign this letter, seal, and stamp by the Chamber of Commerce of Saudi Arabia. The average processing time and the charge for a visa are the same.
Saudi Arabia Diplomatic and Official Visa
If you want to participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations, exchange programs, and other events held in Saudi Arabia by intergovernmental organizations, you should apply for a diplomatic and official visa. The needed documents, details, fee (50-215 USD), and processing time (3-7 days) is the same with a tourist visa. Of course, there can be some differences depending on the applicant's nationality or country of submission.
Saudi Arabia Business Visa
Some people need to visit various parts of the world as a representative of some company or organization. If you want to visit Saudi Arabia for this purpose, you should get Saudi Arabia Business Visa. A business visa allows engaging in business-related activities such as attending meetings or conferences, conducting or attending the training, conducting internal audits, installing equipment, or performing other temporary services for a client, local affiliate, or branch office. The demanded documents, details, fee, and the processing time is the same with a tourist visa.
Saudi Arabia Family Visa
If you want to visit your friend or family member who lives in Saudi Arabia, you must have Saudi Arabia Family Visit Visa. Some additional documents differ from other types of short-term visas:
- Proof of Kinship. You should show evidence of the relationship between you and a person who you want to visit (marriage certificate, birth certificate).
- Documents of minors
- Proof of visit. If the applicants stay at the inviter's home, he should provide the details of the house. Also, you must have an invitation letter.
Saudi Arabia Hajj Visa
People who travel to a sacred place for religious reasons must receive a Saudi Arabia Hajj Visa. The applicant will wait 3-5 days to get a visa and will not pay any money for the application. The required documents are:
- Application Form. The form must be signed and stamped by the confirmed travel agency
- Photo
- Passport and copy of the main page
- Proof of kinship
- Flight itinerary
- Proof of vaccination
- Certified checks or cashier's checks
You can check the visa policy section on our website to get more detailed information about the Hajj Visa.
Saudi Arabia Long-Term Visa (Saudi Arabia work visa types)
All tourists who want to stay in the country for a long period should apply for a long-term visa, even if they are from a visa-free country. There are two main reasons to apply: education and employment.
Employment visa and Saudi Arabia work visa types. Independently the work that you will work you must provide the same papers during application. The fee for visa changes between 50-265 USD, and the processing time is 7-21 days.
- Application Form
- Photo
- Passport and copy of the main page
- Copy of ID card
- Residence Permit/visa copy
- Power of Attorney. Digital power of attorney from the Saudi employer generated by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Invitation letter from the Saudi company sponsoring the applicant
- Proof of professional status
- University diploma and certificates
- Medical certificate
- Police certificate
- Proof of Financial Means
- Some other documents
Saudi Arabia Student Visa
International students who visit Saudi Arabia for study, training, and research can apply for Saudi Arabia Study Visa. As in, the work visa processing time is 7-21 days, and the charge is 50-265 USD. Required documents are:
- Application Form
- Photo
- Passport and copy of the main page
- Copy of ID card
- Residence Permit/visa copy
- Birth Certificate
- All documents presented for admission to an educational institution
- Medical certificate
- Police certificate
- Proof of accommodation
- Confirmed university admission
- Proof of visit
Saudi Arabia Transit Visa
Saudi Arabia Transit Visa is for travelers whose travel itinerary includes a stop-over in the territory of Saudi Arabia. The fee for a transit visa is 80 USD and the processing time is 3-5 working days. These people don't need transit visas:
- People who have a confirmed onward flight ticket to a third country (they will not leave the airport)
- People who are traveling via the international airport of Dammam (DMM), Jeddah (JED), or Riyadh (RUH).
- People who have a valid visa or residency permit or are visa-free.
Required documents are:
- Application form
- Photo
- Passport and copy of the main page
- Copy of ID card
- Residence permit/visa copy
- Flight itinerary
Final questions
How to get Saudi Arabia visa? As we mentioned above, you can get a visa via an online or standard application. Just check out which one of them is available for your country. How to check Saudi Arabia visa status? You can call or get in touch through email with the embassy to check Saudi Arabia visa status.
