Going to Saudi Arabia for leisure or visiting family or frineds and need to know the latest Saudi tourist visa requirements, Saudi tourist visa processing time or need to make a Saudi Arabia visa appointment? Browse this Saudi Arabia visa website to learn more.
Saudi Arabia Visa Types
There are several types of Saudi visas available and the visa type for Saudi Arabia you need to apply depends on the purpose of your trip to Saudi Arabia.
Finding out what type of Saudi Arabia visa you need to apply for is actually a pretty easy process. You can apply for Saudi visa if you are traveling for one of the following purposes:
- Saudi Tourist Visa - Saudi Arabia visa is issued to foreigners that wish to visit Saudi Arabia, for a shorter period like 30 days within a 3-month period
- Saudi Visitor Visa - Make it possible for non-Saudi family members and friends that live outside of Saudi Arabia to come to Saudi Arabia and meet their parents, children, spouse or friends.
- Saudi Business Visa - To participate in business related activities including attending or conducting meetings or conferences or training, installing equipment or performing other temporary services for a client, local affiliate or branch office in Saudi Arabia.
- Saudi Transit Visa - To transit through the airport or port in Saudi Arabia
Other Saudi Visa Types
There are other types of Saudi visas available for non-Saudi citizens to apply:
- Student Visa
- Journalist Visa
- Retirement Visa
- Permantent Resident Visa
- Work Visa
- Official Visit Visa
- Cultural, Film Crew & Sports Visa
- Merchant Seaman Visa
Saudi Entry Visa Types
Single Entry visa for Saudi Arabia: A single-entry visa allows its holder to enter Saudi Arabia only once, within the given period of time, as mentioned in the visa sticker affixed to their passport. Once the visa holder exits the territory of Saudi Arabia or visa region associated with Saudi Arabia, he or she can no longer go back, even if they have not spend in Saudi Arabia the number of days as permitted by the embassy that issued them the visa.
Double Entry visa for Saudi Arabia: In general, a double-entry visa applies the same way as the single-entry visa explained above. The sole difference between a single-entry and a double-entry visa is that the second gives you the chance to go once more back to Saudi Arabia
Multiple Entry visa for Saudi Arabia: This type of visa allows the holder of the visa to enter Saudi Arabia mutiple times with visa validity period.
Steps to Applying for Saudi visa To apply for a Saudi visa follow the steps given below:
- Check if you need to apply for a Saudi Visa.
- Know when is the right time to apply!
- Figure out what type of Saudi visa you need.
- Find out where you should lodge your application.
- Fill in the right Saudi visa form.
- Collect the documents required for Saudi visa.
- Make a visa appointment.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Submit your biometrics.
- Pay the visa fee.
Please Note: Please consult Saudi embassy in your country as visa regulations for Saudi Arabia can and often change overnight. In individual cases, additional documents required for Saudi visa. We accept no responsibility as we have no affiliation with the embassy of Saudi Arabia or their visa section.
Going for a visa interview at the embassy? The visa officer at the Saudi consulate will look over your application and ask you questions if they wish to clarify anything. It is best to answer these questions honestly.
Typical questions asked at the Saudi Arabia visa interview include:
- What is your purpose of your trip to Saudi Arabia?
- Do you know anyone living in Saudi Arabia?
- What is your current occupation?
- How long have you been in your current occupation?
- If you are a student, when will the studies finsh?
- How will you suuport yourself whilst in Saudi Arabia?
- Have you ever travelled to other countries?
- Who will pay for your trip to Saudi Arabia?
- What are your plans when you return from your trip?
- What will you do if your visa application is rejected?
- What is your marital status?
- Will you be involved in business in Saudi Arabia?
Common reasons why your Saudi visa application got rejected include:
- Lack of funds – you must be able to afford your trip Saudi Arabia and you must provide documents to show that you can.
- Proof of accommodation not provided – you must be able to show where you will be staying in Saudi Arabia and you can easily do this by providing a hotel reservation in Saudi Arabia.
- The visa officer thinks you will not return to your home country – you must make it clear that you intend to leave Saudi Arabia and return to your home country before the expiry of your visa. You can do this by providing documents that show you have ties where you live, such as an employment letter or proof that you own your home etc.
- No proof of residence – you must be able to prove that you can live in the country of your residence legally, so you must provide proof of residence.