If you’re planning to travel to this region of the Middle East, you might consider visiting the largest state in the region: Saudi Arabia. The year 2023 was the one in which Saudi Arabia topped the UN Tourism rankings for the rise in international tourist visits, which increased 56% from the year 2019. However, how simple or difficult is it to apply for a Saudi visa? Are you eligible to get a Saudi visa? What are the different kinds of Saudi Arabia visit visas? This article will explain the various kinds of Saudi visas and how to apply for them. Also Saudi Umrah visa is also allowed worldwide.
Types of Saudi Arabia Visit Visas and Their Purposes
There are numerous types of Saudi visas. However, they generally fall into five distinct categories. The classifications are based on the reason for the tourist visa: visiting relatives and friends or seeking medical attention, attending business gatherings, or doing Umrah. Within the category of visas for visit, particularly, there are the following kinds of Saudi visit visas:
Visa for Tourist
With the Saudi Tourist Visa, one is able to visit one’s family or friends, take part in tourism-related events and activities, and perform Umrah. It is important to note that visitors are not able to seek medical attention or do Hajj using this kind of Saudi tourist visa. Additionally, it’s not an alternative to a Saudi work visa.
Visit visa for Friends and family members
If you’re a recipient of the Family and Friends Visit Visa (visa), you are able to visit family members, friends, or first-degree relatives who reside in Saudi Arabia.
Medical visa
With a medical card, travellers can get medical care in Saudi Arabia.
Visa for Business
With a business permit, travellers are able to engage in commercial activities like attending business events, taking part in trade fairs and conferences, and exploring opportunities for investment within Saudi Arabia.
Umrah Visa
If you hold the Umrah Visa, then you may perform Umrah, take part in tourism activities and events, and travel easily across Saudi cities.
The majority of these visa options are offered at EVS. It’s a single-stop store for all of your Saudi Arabia e-visa needs.
Saudi electronic visa
The majority of e-visas, which are available through the EVS, can be a quick and easy way to apply for a Saudi visa. Particularly, it removes the requirement to visit the Saudi consulate or embassy or even a visa application centre (VAC). Furthermore, it typically has minimum requirements for applicants. Candidates can select the visa they wish to apply for on the website and get it electronically.
With the introduction of the e-visa system
Travellers who arrive in Saudi Arabia no longer need to carry a visa sticker added to their passports. Instead, they’ll receive an e-visa issued with a QR code. The QR code will hold all the necessary information and details about the individual, acting as a digital passport.
However, the e-visa can be only available to those who are eligible to apply for it. Who is eligible to apply for an e-visa to visit, and what exactly are the prerequisites? What are the steps?
In this article, we’ll discuss the various types of e-visas that are available for visitors to Saudi Arabia and how to apply for these. Find out more.
Eligibility
As we’ve already said, the electronic visa permits foreigners to enter Saudi Arabia for various purposes, including tourism-related events as well as reuniting with family members and friends, engaging in commercial ventures, seeking medical assistance, and even performing Umrah.
But not all are qualified to receive one. These people are eligible to apply for a visa electronically If they meet the following criteria:
1. The following countries are home to citizens:
North America: Canada, Panama, USA, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Europe: Andorra, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom,
Asia: Brunei, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Tajikistan, Turkey, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Africa: South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles,Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Caribbean: Barbados, Common prosperity from Grenada, the Bahamas and Grenada
2. The permanent residents are from those from the US, EU or UK
3. Active visit visa holders (Schengen visa, US visa, UK visa)
4. reside in some of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates)
It is important to note that having dual citizenship in these countries can qualify you to apply for the Saudi visa or e-visa upon your arrival.
Validity
We now are aware of the people who can apply for an electronic visa. Let’s see how long you can keep it in Saudi Arabia.
In general, visa visas can be used for 90 days regardless of whether you are applying for a one-time admission visa (valid for 90 days) or a multi-entry visa (valid for one year).
If you’ve got a Saudi electronic visa, you can verify it on the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website. Visit MOFA’s MOFA visa services website and search the “Enquiry” or “Enquiry” field, select “Visa document number”, input your visa number and passport number, then your nationality as well as the image code of the Captcha. After verification, you’ll know what the state of your Saudi visa is.
If you are staying more than a month in Saudi Arabia, you will have to pay a 100 SAR fee (26.66 USD) at the airport for every day you extend your legal stay beyond the duration of your passport.
Application
You can apply for an electronic visa for trips to Saudi Arabia in just a couple of minutes using the EVS. Find important details about applying the platform here.
Requirements
In general, you’ll need the following information when filling out the electronic visa application you submit to Saudi Arabia:
- A passport that has an expiration date of at least 6 months
- Digital passport photo, white background
- Application form completed
- Health insurance
In certain situations, you’ll have to submit an invitation letter from a person who sponsors you, for example, a Saudi resident or the owner of a Saudi company and evidence that you have enough funds to pay for your expenses during your stay in Saudi Arabia along with the details of the flights and lodging.
Visa Processing time
The process of processing Saudi Visa applications is quick, easy, and simple. In general, it takes between 1 to five business days for electronic visas to be issued 5 to 30 minutes to obtain a visa upon arrival, and between 1 and 2 business days to obtain visas granted through a consulate or embassy.
Fees for Visa
The Saudi visa fee is USD80 for visa fees (refundable) as well as USD 50 to pay for digital visa services (non-refundable), and US$ 10.50 for the cost of insurance (non-refundable) as well as insurance costs (note that the cost of insurance is dependent on the medical insurance company you select). Pay with an international debit card or credit card.
Application for on behalf of children
You are likely in Saudi Arabia with family or acquaintances.
If you’re seeking a Saudi tourist visa for the child’s parent, the guardian must first get their tourist visa before they can apply for the child’s visa electronically.
Save the e-visa you used to get.
There is no need to provide a print version of your passport because it will be listed within your Saudi government’s travel system. It is, however, advised to keep the digital version on your smartphone.
If you’d like to print your visa but haven’t received a copy, then go to
(from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs website of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs) for printing it directly from the website.
Insurance
As per the Saudi Health Insurance Council (CHI), the health insurance market is
Obligatory
Applying for a Tourist Visa
When your visa is granted, the health insurance you have purchased will automatically be activated. The health insurance will pay for the cost of hospitalization (including COVID-19 treatment) and any health emergency through a network of licensed health professionals.
When you submit a claim, make sure you note that you do not have to cover the copayment or deductible when you visit a licensed healthcare provider, like an office of a doctor, a pharmacy or an ambulance service centre.
For a copy of the insurance contract, you can download it in PDF format with the same account that you used to fill out the application.
Conclusion
With Saudi Arabia’s electronic visa system eli, eligible travellers can quickly and quickly apply for the umrah packages and Saudi visitor visa. Visit visas of different types allow travellers to travel for a variety of objectives, ranging from touring the country to visiting family and friends, participating in business, obtaining medical treatment or completing Umrah.
With a wide selection of visa types for Saudi Arabian visits, travelers can make plans for the next time they visit Saudi Arabia. The EVS platform gives you a simple method to apply for the Saudi visa you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
After you’ve got an idea of the various types of Saudi Arabia visit visas and how to apply for them, we’re sure you’ve got certain questions. Here, we will provide the solutions to some frequently asked questions.
If I hold a Saudi tourist visa, can I go to Mecca or Al-Madina?
It is important to note that you are only able to go to Mecca only if you’re Muslim or a Muslim, whereas Al Madinah is open to anyone who wants to. If you’re interested, you could choose to visit the various sites in Mecca to gain more information about the rich culture of Saudi Arabia and its rich heritage.
Do I have to apply for a new tourist visa?
You are not able to apply for another tourist visa if you already hold an active Saudi tourism visa. You may apply for another tourist visa after the current one expires.
Is it possible to reimburse fees for visas after the visa is issued?
It isn’t an option to refund visa charges once the visa is issued since they are not refundable and cannot be cancelled.
Can I change my personal information after having completed an application for the visa?
There is no way to alter a Saudi visa if there’s some error with the applicant’s stated information, which includes other details such as their passport or nationality. Because you can’t change the information on the validity of an e-visa, it’ll need to be cancelled, and you’ll have to apply to get a new e-visa.
If, however, the consulate issued the visa with the wrong nationality or passport number, a new one that has the correct nationality or passport number may be issued for a nominal fee. The embassy will not have to revoke or cancel the original visa.
What should I wear for my time in Saudi Arabia?
Men and women alike should be modest to be considered modest in Saudi Arabia or face sanctions. Don’t wear tight clothing or wearing clothing that contains profane language or images. Women should protect their knees and shoulders while in public.
It is generally safe to wear loose, long-fitting tops and pants that are long or ankle-length skirts. The only exception to breaking this norm is when the circumstance necessitates a change of clothes, for instance, when you’re at the pool. Also, you should choose modest swimming attire.
