How to Secure Your Saudi Visit Visa from Dubai

Introduction

Traveling to Saudi Arabia has never been easier. These days, you can obtain a Saudi visa from the comfort of your own home.

As Saudi Arabia opens its gates further to the world, it is investing a massive $800 in its tourism sector to attract 100 million visitors by 2030. The Red Sea Project, the Neom urban development, and the Jeddah Economic City are just a few of the country’s mega projects lined up for completion.

If you’re a citizen or a resident of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), do you need to apply for your Saudi visa from Dubai? If yes, what is the process like? Is the process easy or hard? What requirements do you need to prepare?

In this article, we discuss the different eligibility for a Saudi visa, and what your options are if you’re planning on applying for a Saudi visa from Dubai.

UAE citizens and the Saudi visa

If you’re a citizen of one of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, you’re exempted from a Saudi visa and you can travel to Saudi Arabia anytime you wish. The member countries of the GCC include (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE).

What do you need to prepare ahead of your trip to Saudi Arabia? When you arrive in Saudi Arabia, simply present your national ID card or any other valid document proving your citizenship in the UAE.

How UAE residents can apply for a Saudi visa from Dubai

While UAE citizens are exempt from the Saudi visa application process as the UAE is part of the GCC, UAE residents, on the other hand, must still secure a Saudi visa.

Thankfully, they are eligible for a Saudi e-visa or visa on arrival, as they are a GCC resident. Read on to learn more about the e-visa and visa on arrival, as well as other visa options.

Option 1: Saudi e-visa

The Saudi e-visa program, launched in September 2019, makes it easier for citizens from eligible countries to secure a Saudi visa. It allows foreign nationals entry into Saudi Arabia for various purposes such as tourism, business, and even Umrah.

Apart from eligible nationalities (including dual citizens from eligible countries), permanent residents in the US, EU, or the UK; holders of visit visas (Schengen, US, UK); and residents in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), as long as they have been a resident for at least three months.

Under Saudi Arabia’s new e-visa system, eligible travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia no longer need to get a visa sticker stamped on their passports. Instead, these are replaced by a printed e-visa featuring a QR code. This QR code will contain all the essential data and information about the passenger, effectively functioning as a digital visa.

What’s great about the e-visa is that it already covers tourism-related activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj season).

How the Saudi e-visa works

Now that we know who is eligible for a Saudi e-visa, let’s understand how it works.

Under the new e-visa system, eligible travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia don’t need a visa sticker stamped on their passports. Instead, these are replaced by a printed e-visa featuring a QR code. This QR code will contain all the essential data and information about the passenger, effectively functioning as a digital visa. The e-visa can be accessed online and will be instantly delivered via email.

Requirements

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, you will typically need to prepare the following:

• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• A completed visa application form
• Passport-sized photos (in JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP file formats; not bigger than 100 KB; and 200×200 pixels in dimension)
• Travel Insurance

Application

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, visit KSA Visa, select the e-visa of your choice, and fill out the online application form.

Apart from indicating whether you would like to apply for a single or multiple-entry visa, you’ll also need to provide your personal information and passport details, as well as upload a digital passport-size photo with a white background.

Based on your submitted application, the form will generate the corresponding visa validity: 365 days or 1 year for a multiple-entry visa and 90 days for a single-entry visa. Both single and multiple-entry visas are valid for a total of 90 days.

Visa fees

The visa application fee includes $80 for the visa fee (refundable), $10.50 for the visa digital service fee (non-refundable), $10.50 for the insurance digital service fee (non-refundable), and the insurance fees.
Note that the insurance fee will vary depending on your chosen medical insurance provider). You can pay via international debit or credit card.

Processing time

Now that you’ve completed your online visa application form, it’s time to wait. The processing time can take anywhere between 1 minute to 3 business days. You’ll know if your visa has been approved once you receive an e-mail from KSA Visa.

Option 2: Visa on arrival

The next easy and convenient option is the visa on arrival issued upon a foreign national’s entry into a country. Note that although it is a quick and easy way to get a Saudi visa, it might be more practical to apply for a Saudi e-visa ahead of time to avoid any surprises at the airport.

Similar to the e-visa, those who hold eligible citizenship (including dual citizens); have active US, UK, or Schengen visit visas; are permanent residents of the US, UK, or the EU; as well as GCC nationals or residents can avail of a Saudi visa on arrival.

The Saudi visa on arrival is valid for 1 year from its issuance date. The multiple-entry visa on arrival is valid for 1 year from the date of issuance. It allows the traveler to stay for a maximum of 90 days.

Option 3: Transit/Stopover Visa

There’s another way you can easily enter Saudi Arabia: the Saudi transit or stopover visa, which is open to all nationalities. It allows travelers to pass through Saudi land borders, airports, or ports. This is probably not the most ideal option for all, but it’s a good option if you are staying for less than four days in Saudi Arabia.

Travelers may opt to apply for a transit/stopover visa via Saudi Arabia’s Saudia or Flynas airlines by booking two flights with a suitable layover of between 12 to 96 hours. While the transit/stopover visa is free, it is still subject to administrative and medical insurance fees. Alternatively, travelers may apply for a standard transit/stopover visa via KSA Visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

You now know your eligibility and options if you are applying for a Saudi visa from Dubai. However, we’re sure you still have some questions and clarifications about it. The following are some helpful answers to frequently asked questions:

Do I need a sponsor to apply for a Saudi visa from Dubai?

The requirement for a sponsor depends on the type of visa you are applying for and your nationality. In many cases, individuals applying for tourist visas may not need a sponsor, but those applying for business visas or other types of visas may require sponsorship from a Saudi employer or host.

Are there any specific health requirements for Saudi visas from Dubai?

Depending on your nationality and travel history, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination or undergo medical screenings as part of the visa application process, especially in light of health concerns or pandemics. Check with the Saudi embassy or consulate in Dubai for any current health requirements.

Can I apply for another tourist visa?

You may not apply for another tourist visa if you are currently under a valid Saudi tourist visa. You may re-apply for a new tourist visa once the current one expires.

Can I extend my stay in Saudi Arabia with an e-visa?

Note that if you are granted a Saudi e-visa, it cannot be extended.

What should I wear while I’m in Saudi Arabia?

Both men and women should dress modestly while in Saudi Arabia, otherwise they potentially face penalties. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes or clothes displaying profane language or images. Women should cover their shoulders and knees when in public.

Generally, wearing long, loose tops, long pants or trousers, or long skirts up to the ankle is safe. The only time you should not abide by this rule is when the situation calls for different attire, such as when swimming. Similarly, choose to wear modest swimming attire.

Conclusion

It’s never been easier for travelers to visit Saudi Arabia. Whether for leisure, tourism, business, visiting family and friends, or performing Umrah, the visa application process is now easier with the launch of the country’s KSA Visa platform.

Holders of certain visit visas and permanent residents of specific countries can enjoy visa-free privileges when visiting Saudi Arabia, while others can go through several visa application routes, depending on their eligibility.

For more information on how to apply for a Saudi visa from Dubai, consult the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate.

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