How UAE Residents Can Obtain A Saudi Tourist Visa

Introduction

People living in the Gulf region have fantastic access to the best that the area has to offer, especially those based in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) member countries. Just a plane ride or a road trip away, for instance, are Islam’s holiest city Makkah, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra in Saudi Arabia. Not to mention the country’s wealth of other cultural and natural marvels. 

UAE residents, in particular, may be eager to arrange their next holiday in Saudi Arabia, what with its many tourist gems and the country’s proximity.

Do UAE residents need a Saudi tourist visa? What is the process like? What documents do they need to prepare? How much does the application cost? These are just a few of the questions that we’ll be answering as you read on.

Do UAE citizens need to apply for a 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 can UAE residents 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. 

As mentioned, you can apply for various Saudi visas in several ways, depending on your eligibility. Let’s explore the first and easiest options: the Saudi e-visa or visa on arrival.

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.

The tourist e-visa, in particular, is one of the easiest Saudi visas you can apply for. Applying can be done in minutes and from the comfort of your home.

Who is eligible for Saudi e-visa?

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 more than three months.

By virtue of your active US, UK, or Schengen visas, you can also apply for a Saudi e-visa or visa on arrival for first-degree relatives accompanying you on your trip. This includes your parents, spouse, or children.

How does the Saudi e-visa work?

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.

What are the requirements for a Saudi tourist e-visa?

To apply for a Saudi tourist 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

How can you apply for a Saudi e-visa?

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, visit KSA Visa, Saudi Arabia’s unified platform for visa applications, and fill out the Saudi tourist e-visa 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.

How much does it cost to apply for a Saudi e-visa?

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.

How long is the processing time for a Saudi e-visa?

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.

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

Once you have your own approved e-visa, you may start applying for a Saudi e-visa on behalf of your children. If you are their legal guardian, then you should apply for the children’s e-visa using your 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 tourist e-visa before he can apply for the child’s tourist e-visa.

If you are applying for a Saudi visa through the VFS Tasheer or Saudi embassy/consulate, you may only apply on behalf of the children and not for the other adult travelers. They will need to apply on their own, submit their own documents, and have their photo taken, and fingerprints scanned.

Do I need medical insurance to apply for a tourist visa?

Yes, it is necessary to get medical insurance when you apply for a tourist visa. The health insurance policy will be issued along with your Saudi tourist e-visa once it is issued. This includes COVID-19 medical treatment and is valid for one year from the date of its issuance. To inquire about health insurance policy and healthcare service providers, visit the Council of Health Insurance’s website.

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 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

Now that you know your many options to obtain a Saudi tourist visa, you may have specific questions about what you can or can’t do with it, as well as other generic questions about traveling in Saudi Arabia. The following are helpful answers to some frequently asked questions.

Is it possible to expedite the processing of a Saudi visa application from Dubai?

Some VFS Tasheer centers or Saudi embassies may offer to fast-track the processing of your visa for an additional fee. It is best to contact them to inquire if the service is available and for how much.

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.

What if your Saudi visa expires while you’re in Saudi Arabia?

In case you extend your stay in Saudi Arabia beyond the validity of your Saudi visa on arrival, you’ll need to pay an overstay fee of SAR 100 for each day.

Is it possible for your Saudi visa on arrival to be rejected?

Although there are clear guidelines on who is eligible for a Saudi visa on arrival, remember that any visa is a conditional document and the final say will have to come from the immigration officer.

Yes, it’s possible for a Saudi visa on arrival to be
rejected. Some of the possible reasons may be insufficient documents, previous visa violations, inaccurate or incomplete personal information, falsification of travel history, health issues, or insufficient funds.

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

While UAE citizens can enjoy the visa-free benefits of being part of a GCC member country, UAE residents, meanwhile, will have to apply for a Saudi tourist visa. 

If they are from one of the 63 eligible countries Saudi Arabia has identified to be eligible for a Saudi tourist visa, or if they are holders of an active US, UK, or Schengen visa with at least one entry stamp, then they can easily apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa or a Saudi visa on arrival. If not, they can apply for a standard tourist visa from a VFS Tasheer or a Saudi embassy/consulate.

For more information, visit KSA Visa website.

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