How To Apply For A Saudi Visit Visa As A Schengen Visa Holder

Introduction

It’s a great time to visit Saudi Arabia, as it is opening its gates further to the world. Travelers from all corners of the globe can look forward to an exciting mix of natural landscapes, traditional cuisines, desert adventures, and more in the country. In fact, the country is investing $800 billion in its tourism sector.

Schengen visa holders, in particular, are fortunate as they are among eligible travelers who can enjoy easy and convenient access to Saudi Arabia. How can Schengen visa holders apply for a Saudi visa? Read on as we share the different ways, requirements, and costs involved.

Applying for a Saudi visit visa

If you currently have a valid Schengen visa, you still need to apply for a Saudi visa. the good news is that Schengen visa holders are eligible for Saudi’s electronic visa or e-visa.

Option 1: E-visa

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). This means that Schengen visa holders can apply for an e-visa in case they are planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism, to visit family and friends, to seek medical treatment, or for business. The e-visa already covers these different travel purposes.

Application

If you are a Schengen visa holder, all you need to do is visit Saudi Arabia’s easy-to-use portal, sign up for an account, provide your Schengen visa information as well as your personal and passport information, pay for the insurance and visa application fees, and just wait for the e-visa to be e-mailed.

Validity

The Saudi e-visa will be valid for one year from the date of issuance and it will be valid for multiple entries. You can stay for a total of 3 months or 90 days in Saudi Arabia, as long as your Schengen visa is still valid during your stay. Note that once you are granted a Saudi e-visa, it cannot be extended.

Visa fees

The cost of the Saudi e-visa will vary depending on the purpose of the travel, but for tourism purposes, the Saudi tourist e-visa costs SAR 535 (USD 142.64). As mentioned, the fee already includes the fee for the medical insurance selected during the e-visa application process. Note that the payment must be made in Saudi Riyals with an international debit or credit card.

Note that the visa fees are non-refundable in case the e-visa is rejected.

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

Although we’ve covered the basics when it comes to how Schengen visa holders can obtain a Saudi visa, you may have other burning questions in mind. Here are some helpful answers to frequently asked Saudi visa-related questions.

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.

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 should I do if my tourist visa application is rejected?

If your tourist visa application is rejected, you must visit the nearest Saudi embassy/consulate to apply for a new visa.

My visa application status says it is “pending with applicant”. What does this mean?

This means that your application might have missing information or there is a problem with your photo.

Is the process different if you apply for a visa as an individual versus as a group?

You are free to apply either as a group or as an individual. If you would like to apply for a visa as a group, this option is just to facilitate the payment process.

Does the selected guardian have to be with the child when entering Saudi Arabia?

The selected guardian is not required to enter Saudi Arabia with the child, so long as a first-degree relative will be accompanying the child, such as his/her father, mother, brother, sister, grandfather, or grandmother.

How can I inquire about the insurance company?

To inquire about an insurance company, visit the website of Saudi Arabia’s Council of Health Insurance (CHI) and inquire about the health insurance with your passport number.

What data will appear when I inquire about the travel insurance?

You should see the name of the insurance company, the insurance policy number, and its expiry date.

I made a mistake in my personal information that does not show on the visa but is reflected in the insurance policy (ex: passport expiry date, date of birth, gender). What can I do?

You will need to cancel the visa and have a new one issued with the correct personal details.

Does an error in one visa affect the validity of other visas issued as a group?

A mistake in one visa does not affect the group.

I didn’t receive the activation email in my inbox. What should I do?

If you didn’t receive the activation e-mail in your inbox, check your spam (junk mail) folder. If you still can’t find the application, contact KSA Visa.

I received an e-mail from the embassy confirming the cancellation of the tourist visa. Is it enough or do I still need to visit the embassy in person?

A confirmation e-mail from the embassy is enough and you don’t need to visit the embassy. Once the cancellation has been confirmed, it will take up to 72 hours to remove the canceled visa from the portal after the request has been raised.

Is it possible to refund the visa fees after issuance?

No, it is not possible to refund the visa fees once the visa has been issued, as these are non-refundable and cannot be canceled.

Is it possible to amend my data after submitting the visa application?

You cannot make changes to a Saudi e-visa if there is a mistake in the visa holder’s declared information apart from his/her nationality or passport number. As you cannot modify an e-visa, it will need to be canceled and you will need to re-apply for a new e-visa.

If, however, the embassy issued the visa with an incorrect nationality or passport number, then a new visa with the correct nationality or passport number can be issued for a fee. It won’t be necessary to cancel or revoke the old 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.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia is investing billions in its tourism sector in the hopes of attracting over 150 million annual visitors by 2030.

As the country opens its gates further to the world, more travelers can look forward to easier access to the country with its e-visa and visa-on-arrival programs. Schengen visa holders are among those who are eligible for these Saudi visas.

With KSA visa, applying for their preferred Saudi visa is fast and hassle-free. It can be done from the comfort of your home or wherever you can connect to the platform.

Alternatively, they can also apply for a Saudi transit/stopover visa, should they pass through Saudi Arabia with a layover of between 12 to 96 hours. The Saudi transit/stopver visa is free and is open to all nationalities.

For more information on ow Schengen visa holders can apply for a Saudi visa, visit KSA Visa.

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