How to Obtain Your Saudi Tourist Visa Via Embassy

Introduction

If you’re traveling soon, you may want to set your eyes on Saudi Arabia. Aside from its wealth of historic and religious sites, it’s also home to delectable local flavors and fantastic opportunities for expatriates.

Traveling to Saudi Arabia offers a rich cultural experience, from exploring the vast deserts to visiting ancient cities and bustling markets. As Saudi Arabia has recently opened its doors to tourists, obtaining a tourist visa is a relatively straightforward process, especially for those who prefer applying through the embassy.

Is applying for a Saudi tourist visa fast and easy? What are the requirements? Who is eligible for it? In this article, we’ll go into detail about obtaining a Saudi tourist visa via the embassy so you can prepare accordingly.

What is the Saudi tourist visa?

The Saudi tourist visa allows foreign nationals entry into Saudi Arabia for various travel purposes such as taking part in tourism activities, visiting family and friends, attending business engagements, seeking medical treatment, and performing Umrah.

Under Saudi Arabia’s new e-visa system, travelers may avail of an electronic tourist visa via KSA Visa, the country’s unified platform for visa applications.

However, not all are eligible for the Saudi e-visa. For these individuals, they may need to apply for a tourist visa the traditional way: through a Saudi embassy. This entails making a personal appearance at the embassy, possibly being interviewed for their application, and submitting hard copies of documents.

Eligibility

Now that you know what a Saudi tourist visa is, let’s find out who is eligible for it.

People of all nationalities are welcome to apply for a Saudi tourist visa through a Saudi embassy, however, Saudi travel authorities may impose restrictions or additional requirements for some.

Validity

Under a tourist visa, you can stay for a total duration of 90 days in Saudi Arabia. You can either apply for a single-entry visa (valid for 90 days), or a multiple-entry visa (valid for 365 days).

Once you have a Saudi 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 visa through the embassy, you must first book an appointment with the embassy or consulate. You may schedule an appointment through the Saudi embassy’s official website or their customer service hotline.

On the day of your appointment, visit the Saudi embassy or consulate, submit your documents, get your photo taken, your fingerprints scanned, and pay for the visa fee before leaving your passport. You’ll receive an e-mail and/or an SMS once your passport is ready for pickup.

Requirements

To prepare for a Saudi tourist visa application, you’ll need to have the following:

• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• A completed visa application form
• Passport-sized photos with a white background
• Travel Insurance
• Proof of sufficient funds for the trip
• Proof of accommodation during your stay
• Processing time

Once you’ve paid for your Saudi tourist visa, it’s time to wait. The tourist visa application via the embassy usually takes 1 to 2 business days to be processed and for the visa to be issued.

Visa fees

Note that the cost of a Saudi tourist visa will vary per embassy or consulate, and the fee will be subject to administrative charges and taxes.

Applying on behalf of children or a group

Chances are, you may be visiting Saudi Arabia with family or friends.

If you are applying for a Saudi tourist visa on behalf of children, you’ll need to submit a copy of their application forms. You’ll also need to provide details about the legal guardian.

Finding and printing the visa

It is not necessary to print your visa as it will be placed on your passport, however, if you wish to print a copy of it, visit https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/visaservices/searchvisa (from the website of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to print it from the platform.

Insurance

According to Saudi Arabia’s Council of Health Insurance (CHI), health insurance is mandatory if you are applying for an e-visa.

Once your visa is issued, your health insurance will automatically be activated. The health insurance will cover in-patient treatment (including the cost of COVID-19 treatment) and all health emergencies by a network of approved healthcare service providers.

When making a claim, note that it is not necessary to pay a deductible or a co-payment when you visit an authorized health insurance provider such as a pharmacy, doctor’s office, or an ambulance service center.

To get a copy of your insurance policy, download it as a PDF file through the same account you used for the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’re sure that you may still have plenty of questions when it comes to applying for a Saudi e-visa. Here are some answers that might be useful to you.

If I have a Saudi tourist visa, can I visit Makkah and Al Madinah?

Note that you may only visit Makkah if you are a Muslim visitor, while Al Madinah is open to all tourists. As an alternative, you may want to check out the many sites around Makkah to learn more about Saudi Arabia’s rich culture and heritage.

My tourist e-visa was rejected. What should I do?

If your application for a Saudi tourist e-visa was rejected, you may re-apply for a new visa. This time, visit the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate to assist you.

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 apply for a Saudi e-Visa if I am traveling for religious purposes?

Yes, under a Saudi tourist visa, you may perform Umrah, while there is also a dedicated Umrah e-visa.

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.

How can you extend your Saudi visit visa?

If you are a tourist visa holder, unfortunately, it is not possible to extend your tourist visa. You will need to leave Saudi Arabia within your visa’s validity and if you wish to visit the kingdom once more, you must apply for a new Saudi visa.

Those under a single-entry visit visa, meanwhile, are eligible for a visa extension through their host or sponsor. Their sponsor must apply for the visa extension via his account on Absher, the electronic platform of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior.

The visa can be extended six days before the visitor visa expires up to three days after it expires, after which visa extension is no longer possible. The visa extension period must not be more than 180 days. The visitor must meet certain conditions.

How can you check the validity of your Saudi visa?

A visa’s validity will be displayed on the visa on your passport. This is the easiest way for you to check if your visa is still valid. Look for the expiration date to check if you can still use your visa. You may also try the following:

1. Muqeem portal

If you are a Saudi resident, an easy way to check your Saudi visa’s validity is through the Muqeem portal. Enter your visa number and the platform will show your visa’s validity. You can also choose to cross-match your visa number with your Iqama number (applicable if you are a Saudi resident), passport number, name, date of birth, Iqama expiry date, or visa expiry date. Note that the Muqeem portal will soon be replaced by https://vv.muqeem.sa/#/, which will validate exit and return visas.

2. Absher portal

Saudi residents may also check your visa’s validity through the Absher portal. Simply input your visa number, your sponsor’s ID number (if applicable), and the visa-issuing authority.

3. MOFA Website

Another way to check your Saudi visa’s validity is 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.

Who can I contact if I have any questions about the tourist visa?

Should you have any inquiries about your Saudi tourist visa, you can contact https://ksavisa.sa/contact-us via telephone, e-mail at customercare@mofa.gov.sa, or fill up and submit an online form. You should receive a notification via e-mail with the answer to your concern.

If I have a Saudi tourist visa, can I visit Saudi Arabia to seek medical treatment?

No, you may not use your Saudi tourist visa if you are seeking medical treatment in the kingdom. You must apply for a dedicated Saudi medical e-visa or medical visa via a VFS center or the nearest Saudi embassy/consulate.

Conclusion

With its wealth of natural wonders and historical sites, it’s no wonder many are choosing to travel to Saudi Arabia for a holiday.

While many nationalities are now eligible to apply for a Saudi e-visa or a visa on arrival, there are still those who will need to apply for a tourist visa via a Saudi embassy or consulate.

The process of applying for a Saudi visa via the embassy is straightforward. Should there be no issues with the applicant’s application, he or she should receive his/her Saudi visa within 1 to 2 business days.

For more information, contact the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate.

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