Saudi Arabia Visa Types

Saudi Arabia allows eligible foreigners to enter the country with a visa. The visa type is dependent on their purpose.

There are several kinds of visas Saudi Arabia offers for foreigners. This includes tourists, people in business, students, pilgrims, workers, diplomats, and many more.
Each visa type has its requirements, validity, and duration of stay. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration can change them anytime.

Types of Visa in Saudi Arabia

There are more than nine (9) types of visas to enter Saudi Arabia. Here is the list of them:

Saudi eVisa or Tourist Visa

Saudi tourist visa is the most common type of visa in Saudi Arabia. Also referred to as an eVisa in its modern form.

The visa comes with one (1) year of validity, multiple entry facilities, and a consecutive stay for three (3) months. It can be used for Umrah, tourism, visiting friends and family, and even attending business meetings.

Moreover, the tourist visa can be applied online, and the delivery is via email. So, there is no need to visit the Saudi embassy in person.

Requirements for a Saudi Tourist Visa or eVisa Application

You will need to have the following documents and information to apply for a tourist or eVisa:

A valid passport with at least six (6) months of validity left.
A recently taken (within six months) passport-size (2x2 inch) color photograph.
Your date of arrival to KSA.
Use a debit/credit card or PayPal to pay the visa fee.
Children or minors (under the age of 18) are required to be accompanied by their guardian. They also should have an individual passport and eVisa to enter Saudi Arabia.

Here is a glimpse of what it offers:

Business Visit Visa

Foreign investors and businessmen can apply for a business visit visa. The sole purpose of this visa is to conduct business in Saudi Arabia. It is also called the “Visiting Investor” visa for its purpose.

A business visit visa or visiting Investor visa allows businesspersons to explore all the business sectors Saudi Arabia offers. At the same time, they can learn about all the geographical and cultural significance of natural resources.

The visa service also aims to provide multiple entry facilities, one-year validity or more, for investors and foreign establishment employees.

Requirements for a Business Visa Application

The requirements of a Saudi business visa application are as follows:

A valid passport with at least six (6) months of validity.
A copy of a recently taken passport-size photograph.
Invitation letter from a Saudi Arabia-based company for business purposes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should approve the invitation letter to the Saudi Embassy or consulate you will apply from.
Proof of business affiliation.

Note: The requirements can change anytime, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the right to do so. Make sure you visit their website to get the current requirements.

Here are the facilities of a Saudi Business Visiting Visa:

Comes with six (6) months or one (1) to five (5) years of validity.
Has single and multiple-entry options.
Maximum consecutive stay ranges from thirty (30) to ninety (90) days.
It allows you to attend seminars and meetings, visit sites and plants, and buy goods.

Employment or Work Visa

Anyone who is coming to Saudi Arabia for work purposes must have a working visa. The employer will apply for the visa and provide the worker with a job letter.

With an employment or work visa, you can work in Saudi Arabia. The employer can be the Saudi government, a private company authorized by the government, or individuals .

The organization or employer will provide the worker with a job letter and approval of the visa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chamber of Commerce. The worker will then take the visa approval letter and other documents to get his Saudi employment or work visa from the embassy or consulate of their country.

Requirements for Saudi Work Visa or Employment Visa Application

A valid passport (Validity should be at least the duration of the employment contract).
Passport-size photographs (as the number required at that time).
Medical certificate.
The letter of employment from the company, employer, or individual in Saudi Arabia (Should be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce).
Educational degree of the employee or worker, if necessary.
A police report from the worker's country.

Note: This requirement changes from time to time. Make sure you check with the Saudi embassy or consulate in your country to get the latest information.

Here is a glimpse overview of the visa:

Residence Visa

Foreigners who wish to live in Saudi Arabia for an extended period of time can apply for a Saudi residence visa. Foreign investors, skilled workers, and entrepreneurs get to apply for this visa.

A residence visa or premium residency visa refers to a visa with all the benefits any Saudi citizen enjoys. Healthcare, education, business, employment, and anything that Saudi citizens have access to is included in the residence visa.

There are certain criteria that must be met to apply for a Saudi residence visa. So, make sure you speak to your lawyer about it before proceeding.

Requirements for a Saudi Residence Visa Application

Must have an original passport with at least six (6) months' validity.
Copies of recently taken passport-size photographs.
A visa referral note was issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Jeddah or Dammam.
Any family member (spouses, children) accompanying the applicant must show their relationship certificate (marriage and birth certificate).
The age of the children should not exceed 18 years.
Three (3) copies of the medical report along with lab results. This should indicate that you are healthy and free of any contagious diseases.
For further info, please visit the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Here are some more information about this visa:

It gives you the ability to work in Saudi Arabia without a sponsor.
Experience all the government benefits like a citizen.
Can sponsor family members to come and live with them.
There are different types of residency options: Dependent (for children and spouses), investor, and retirement.
There are permanent and yearly renewable residence visa options available.

Requirements for a Hajj and Umrah Visa Application

A valid passport with six (6) months of validity from the date of entry.
A recently taken passport-size photograph.
Inbound and outbound air tickets.
If a female pilgrim is traveling, there should be a ‘Mahram’ accompanying her with evidence of a relationship (partner/father/brother).

Note: Make sure to visit the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for further information before traveling.

Here is some more information you should know about the Hajj and Umrah visa:

A Hajj visa is issued only during the month of Hajj.
Umrah visa is issued throughout the year.
Umrah visa validity depends on the duration of the visit.
You can transit from any airport in Saudi Arabia to Makkah and Madina.
When exiting, you can buy Zam Zam water from the airport and carry it with you.

Student Visa

Foreign students can apply for a student visa to study in Saudi Arabia. After applying to an educational institution and getting accepted, you can apply for a student visa.

Students from over 160 countries can apply for a Saudi student visa. They need to apply for the educational institution first and get an acceptance letter. After securing their position in the institution, the students can apply for a student visa.

The institution will provide the necessary documents and get visa permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When the permission is granted, the student can then apply for a student visa from any Saudi embassy or consulate in their country.

Requirements for a Saudi Student Visa Application

A valid passport with at least six (6) months of validity.
Three (3) Recently taken passport-size photographs.
Copy of the student's birth certificate.
High school diploma or academic transcripts.
Police clearance certificates from the applicant's country of origin.
The medical report and lab report state the student's health condition. The reports should be at most three (3) months old.
If the student is under 16 years of age, they do not need to submit a medical report.

Here are some more information about the Saudi Student Visa:

Requirements for a Saudi Medical Visa Application

A valid passport with six (6) months of validity.
Three (3) copies of recently taken photographs.
All the documents should be in Arabic. If the patient is not an Arab national, then they can submit everything in English.
If the treatment is going to take place in a private hospital in Saudi, a support letter from Health Affairs is required.
All the medical reports and certificates of the patient stating their condition.

Government, Diplomatic, and Official Visa

Foreign diplomats, representatives, and officials can get a government visa from Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the only authority that can issue a government visa. The duration of the visa depends on the individual's purpose of visit.

The sole purpose of this visa is to conduct government meetings, conferences, and diplomatic matters. Officials from other countries can attend events and delegations. Also, they can be involved in government-related tasks and projects.

Moreover, engaging in bilateral agreements and negotiations is permissible through the government, diplomatic, and official visas.

Requirements for Government, Diplomatic, and Official Visa Application

Requirements for a Diplomatic Missions and Organizations Visa Application

A valid passport with at least six (6) months of validity.
Passport-size photograph (recently taken).
Contract of employment with the diplomatic mission (proof of employment and involvement).
Official letter from the organization for visa request.
Medical certificate (optional).

How to Apply for a Saudi Visa?

Most of the Saudi visa can be applied online. To do that, you have to fill out an online visa application form, pay the visa fee, and get the visa delivered to you via email.

As some visa types require the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you have to visit the Saudi embassy or consulate.

What Are the Requirements for a Saudi Visa?

The common requirement for a Saudi visa is as follows:

A valid passport with at least six (6) months of validity left.
A recently taken (within six months) passport-size (2x2 inch) color photograph.
Your date of arrival to KSA.
Use a debit/credit card to pay the visa fee.
Children or minors(under the age of 18) are required to be accompanied by their guardian. They also should have an individual passport and eVisa to enter Saudi Arabia.

Note: This is a mandatory requirement for any Saudi visa. Visas like work, student, family, resident, diplomatic, and government visas require more documents and information. Some also require medical test reports and doctors' recommendations. Make sure you go through them from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website to avoid any hassle.