How To Apply for a Family & Friends Visit Visa

Introduction

Whether or not it’s your first time visiting Saudi Arabia, there’s surely something exciting in store for you. Not only is it home to Islam’s most sacred sites but it’s also where you can experience some of the world’s most scenic landscapes and world-class architecture.

It’s no wonder many choose to live and work in Saudi Arabia. Chances are, you may have family or friends in the country because it also offers fantastic career opportunities for expatriates.

If you’ve got family and friends in Saudi Arabia, it’s the perfect time to apply for a Saudi family and friends visit visa.

These days, you don’t need to wait in line at a Saudi embassy or consulate or go through an agency. With the convenience of digital platforms, you can apply for a Saudi visa from the comfort of your own home.

But what’s the process like? What are the requirements? Are you eligible to apply for it and how much does the application cost? In this article, we share with you how to apply for a Saudi family and friends visit visa.

Applying for a Saudi family and friends visit visa

So you’ve decided to visit family or friends living or working in Saudi Arabia. The first step is to determine what visa application options are available for you.

Option 1: E-visa

The easiest way to visit relatives or friends in Saudi Arabia is to apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa. Under a tourist visa, you can visit family and friends, attend tourism events and activities, and perform Umrah.

Eligibility

As part of its aim to open its gates to more people in the world, Saudi Arabia has expanded its list of visitors who are eligible for a Saudi electronic visa or e-visa. Individuals who meet the following criteria may apply for a tourist e-visa:

1. Citizens of the following countries:

North America: Canada, Panama, US, Saint Kitts, and Nevis

Europe: Andorra, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Holland, 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

2. Permanent residents in the US, EU, or the UK

3. Holders of visit visas (Schengen, US, UK)

4. Residents in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates)

Note that dual citizenships from the mentioned countries also make you eligible for a Saudi e-visa or visa on arrival.

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, travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia don’t 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. The e-visa can be accessed online and will be instantly delivered via email.

Validity

The Saudi visit e-visa is valid for a total stay duration of 90 days. You may apply for either a single-entry visa (valid for 3 months to 1 year) or a multiple-entry visa (valid for one year).

Once you have a Saudi e-visa, you may check it through Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website. Just visit MOFA’s Visa services platform and look for the Enquiry field, select “Visa document number, indicate your visa number, and your passport number, followed by your nationality and the image code for the Captcha. Once verified, you’ll see the status of your Saudi visa.

In case you overstay in Saudi Arabia, you will need to pay a fine of SAR 100 ($26.66) at the airport for each day you’ve extended your permitted stay in the country beyond your visa validity.

Application

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, travelers must visit KSA Visa–Saudi Arabia’s new unified platform for visa applications.

Find Tourism among the visa types and indicate your nationality, before you provide details of your visa and if you would like a single or multiple-entry visa.

Provide your personal information and upload a digital passport-size photo with a white background. Indicate details of your accommodation. Once done, pay the visa application fee. Wait for the e-mail from KSA Visa with details about your visa application.

Visa fees

The fee for the tourist e-visa 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.

Option 2: Visa on arrival

The next easy and convenient option is the visa on arrival, a type of visa that is issued upon a foreign national’s entry into a country. 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 instead ahead of time to avoid any surprises at the airport.
A visa on arrival is typically issued at the airport after the traveler submits certain documents as indicated by immigration authorities.

Under a Saudi visa on arrival, you can participate in tourist activities such as sightseeing and attending events; visiting family, friends, and relatives; and Umrah.

Eligibility

The same conditions as for the Saudi e-visa apply to the eligibility for a Saudi visa on arrival: citizens of the identified eligible countries; permanent US, UK, and EU residents; holders of active US, UK, or Schengen visit visas with at least one entry stamp; and GCC nationals.

Application

There are two ways that you can apply for a Saudi visa on arrival: using a self-service kiosk or heading to a passport control desk.

For the self-service option, you should go to the passport control area once you arrive at one of Saudi Arabia’s international airports.

There, approach any of the available self-service kiosks, scan your passport, enter your personal information and passport details, as well as information on your accommodation in the country, before scanning your fingerprints for biometrics and getting your photo taken. Review the application information and pay for the visa-on-arrival fee. You can pay via international debit or credit card.

Alternatively, you can go through an immigration officer at passport control, go through the same process, provide the same information, and pay the corresponding fees to receive a Saudi visa on arrival.

Visa fees

The total visa application fee amounts to SAR 480 ($127.98), which already includes the cost of health insurance and taxes. Note that visa fees are non-refundable.

Option 3: Transit or stopover visa

If you are ineligible for a Saudi e-visa or a Saudi visa on arrival, an option for you is to avail of a transit or stopover visa.

What the transit visa is and how it works

A transit visa is a travel document that permits you to pass through another country en route to your destination.

The Saudi transit visa (sometimes also referred to as a stopover visa), in particular, refers to temporary entry into Saudi Arabia for a few hours to a few days as part of a layover, or when passing through Saudi Arabia via land or sea. It allows travelers to pass through Saudi land borders, airports, or ports for no more than 96 hours.

Eligibility

Now that we know what a transit visa is, let’s find out who can apply for it.

A transit visa is open to all nationalities and is only required if your layover in Saudi Arabia is over 12 hours. If your stay in the country is between 12 to 96 hours, then you are eligible for a Saudi transit visa.

Application

Before we dive into the specifics of applying for a Saudi transit visa, let’s learn about the different types of transit visas, as these will dictate the process or fees involved.

Transit/stopover visa with Flynas or Saudia

If you’d like to avail of a free Saudi transit/stopover visa, then you should book your long-haul flight via Saudi Arabia’s Saudia or Flynas Airlines.

When you book with these two airlines, your transit/stopover visa will be automatically generated and e-mailed to you once approved.

Visa fee

Note that while the transit/stopover visa is free, it is still subject to administrative and medical insurance fees. It costs SAR 93.73 ($24.99) via Saudia or Flynas and around SAR 100 ($26.66) for a standard/transit visa (inclusive of tax and insurance fees).

Standard transit visa

While the transit visa through Saudia or Flynas is free of charge, you may prefer a different airline or have already booked a flight that will pass through Saudi Arabia beyond 12 hours and no more than 96 hours. In this case, you may apply for a standard transit visa.

To apply for this visa, visit KSA Visa and select the applicable transit visa (Land Transit Visa, Air Transit Visa, or Sea Transit Visa).

Similar to the e-visa application, you’ll be asked to provide information such as your personal information, passport information, etc. before being asked to pay the medical insurance fee, visa fee, and application fees.

Option 4: Saudi Family & Friends Visit Visa through VFS Tasheer or a Saudi embassy/consulate

If you are not eligible for a Saudi e-visa or visa on arrival and you do not have a flight passing through Saudi Arabia, you may apply for a Saudi Family Visit Visa via a VFS Tasheer or a Saudi embassy or consulate.

Eligibility

Only legal Saudi residents or citizens with an Iqama (residence permit) can apply for a Saudi family & friends visit visa for their family or friends.

Validity

Once you have a Saudi family visit visa, you can enter the country for a total stay duration of 90 days, whether you applied for a single-entry visa (valid for 90 days) or a multiple-entry visa (valid for one year).

Application

Now that we know what VFS Tasheer centers do, you can go through the process when you plan your trip to Saudi Arabia. Here are the steps to take:

1. Book an appointment

Book an appointment on https://vc.tasheer.com/. The website will generate the earliest available appointment date, along with the VFS Tasheer branch location.

Note that for a family & friends visit visa, your sponsor must first submit documents to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) such as their passport, Iqama, passport-size photos, apostilled national ID card, marriage certificate if they are inviting a spouse, and a notarized letter in Arabic signed by the parent or legal guardian if they are inviting a minor.

They must also fill out an e-form available on the page e-visas services of the MOFA website. Once approved by Saudi authorities, the sponsor can send the scanned signed and stamped application form to you. That’s the time when you can submit your documents to a VFS Tasheer or Saudi embassy/consulate.

2. Submitting requirements

Before your appointment, make sure you compile all the necessary documents needed for your Saudi visa application. These typically include:

• A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining by the time of your trip,
• A completed visa application form,
• Passport-sized photos,
• Proof of your travel arrangements, such as flight tickets and hotel reservations,
• Proof you have sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses (ex: bank statement),
• Travel Insurance

3. Payment and biometrics

After submitting your requirements, pay for the visa fee and get your biometrics and photo taken. You’ll be given a claim stub or invoice for when you pick up or receive your passport and visa.

Contact the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate if a VFS Tasheer is not available in your location.

Visa fees

The cost for both a single or multiple-entry Saudi family & friends visit visa is SAR 200 ($53.33).

Processing time

Once you have paid for your visa application, it’s time to wait. It takes around three days for a Saudi family visit visa to be processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

You now know the different visa options available to you if you are trying to obtain a Saudi family visit visa. We’re sure there may still be some topics we weren’t able to cover. The following are answers to related frequently asked questions.

How can I cancel my Saudi family & friends visit visa?

If there is a mistake in your visa information other than your nationality or passport number, then the issued visa can be canceled.
First, the issued visa will be canceled by the embassy. Once you are notified about the confirmed cancelation, you may contact KSA Visa so they can cancel the visa from the platform. It should take up to 72 hours.

When applying for a Saudi family & friends visit visa, do I need to submit separate applications for my family members?

Yes, each adult family member must submit their own application form. Visas for minors must be taken care of by the guardian obtaining the visa.

How can I apply for a Saudi family & friends e-visa on behalf of children?

If applying for a Saudi e-visa on behalf of children, the guardian should apply for the children’s e-visa using his/her account. Simply tick the box “apply on behalf of someone else” and indicate your name as their guardian. Note that the child’s nationality must match that of the guardian and the guardian must have first secured his/her own e-visa before he can apply for the child’s e-visa.

Do I need to keep a hard copy of my Saudi family & friends visit visa?

It won’t be necessary to present a hard copy of your visa because it will show up in the Saudi travel authorities’ system. But it is best to save a digital copy on your mobile phone.

If you did not receive a copy of your visa and would like to print it, visit https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/visaservices/searchvisa to print it from the platform.

Conclusion

Gone are the days when travelers had to rely on manual processes to apply for a Saudi visa. These days, digital platforms such as KSA Visa help facilitate more accurate verification and swifter visa processing through technology.

Citizens from eligible countries can easily visit family and friends in Saudi Arabia by applying for a Saudi e-visa or getting an on-arrival visa. Others will need to submit physical copies of the requirements through a VFS Tasheer or through a Saudi embassy/consulate for a family & friends visit visa.

For more information on how to apply for a Saudi family & friends visit visa, visit KSA Visa.

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