Saudi Arabia Visa Application Requirements for Pakistani Nationals

Introduction

Saudi Arabia has big plans in store for its most avid visitors. Pakistan, for instance, represents its fourth largest country in terms of the number of visitors.

According to Saudi Tourism Authority’s Asia-Pacific Region President Al-Hassan Al-Dabbagh, they are eager to host more Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia, and they will be providing facilities to pilgrims and greater access to more destinations. The country is aiming to attract 3.5 million Pakistani Umrah pilgrims by 2030.

With Islam’s most important religious sites, picturesque landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, it’s no wonder many are already researching the Saudi visa requirements for Pakistani citizens. In this article, we go through the different requirements for Pakistani citizens so they can avail of different Saudi visas.

Getting a Saudi visa

We’ve mentioned that Pakistani citizens are among Saudi Arabia’s most frequent visitors. But how hard or how easy is the Saudi visa application process? What are the different visa types they are eligible for? And what are the requirements for each of these?

The visa requirements will depend on what type of Saudi visa the Pakistani citizen is applying for, so let’s go through the different visas and their corresponding requirements.

Option 1: E-visa

The following can apply for an e-visa, provided they are:

1. Citizens of the following countries:

North America: Canada, Panama, USA, 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 USA, 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. This means that Pakistani nationals with eligible dual citizenship and with an active US, UK, or Schengen visit visa are eligible for a Saudi e-visa.

Application

If you have an eligible dual citizenship or you have an active US, UK, or Schengen visit visa with at least one entry stamp, then you are eligible for a Saudi e-visa. All you need to do is visit Saudi Arabia’s easy-to-use portal, KSA Visa, 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.

Requirements

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

• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• Digital passport photo with a white background (in JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP file formats; not bigger than 100 KB; and 200×200 pixels in dimension)
• Accomplished application form
• Health insurance
• Note that for certain Saudi visas, you may need to have an invitation letter from a sponsor in Saudi Arabia, such as a Saudi resident or a local company.

Validity

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

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, a type of visa that is 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 instead ahead of time to avoid any surprises at the airport.
With the visa on arrival, travelers don’t need to apply for the visa beforehand. A visa on arrival is typically issued at the airport after the traveler submits certain documents as indicated by immigration authorities.

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

You can apply for a Saudi visa on arrival in two ways: 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, where you’ll scan your passport, enter your personal and passport information, and indicate details of your accommodation while in Saudi Arabia, before scanning your fingerprints for biometrics and taking your photo.

The final steps include selecting your medical insurance provider in Saudi Arabia and paying for the visa-on-arrival fees.

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.

Requirements

If you’re eligible for a Saudi visa on arrival, you’ll just need the following:

• If you are a holder of an active US, UK, or Schengen visa, you should have at least one entry stamp in your passport using the visa).
• A passport has a validity period of at least 6 months at the time of the trip

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.

Validity

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. The single-entry visa on arrival, meanwhile, is valid for 3 months from its date of issuance, and travelers can stay for up to 30 days.

Processing time
Once you’ve gone through the application process, and assuming there are no issues with your information, it only takes between 5 to 30 minutes for your Saudi on-arrival visa to be issued.

Option 3: Transit/Stopover Visa

If you’re a citizen from one of the mentioned eligible countries, then you can conveniently obtain a Saudi e-visa or a visa on arrival. But if not, don’t worry, as you can still try to apply for a Saudi transit or stopover visa instead.

The Saudi transit or stopover visa allows travelers to pass through Saudi land borders, airports, or ports for no more than 96 hours. While in the country, they can perform Umrah or visit tourist spots.

There are three kinds of transit visas depending on how you plan on traveling to Saudi Arabia: 1) Land Transit Visa (crossing Saudi land borders to a neighboring country), 2) Air Transit Visa (Saudi airports during a layover), and 3) Sea Transit Visa (temporary disembarkation at Saudi ports).

Transit/stopover visa with Flynas or Saudia

As of the moment, two airlines provide Saudi transit or stopover visas for free: Saudia Airlines and Flynas. When you book with these two airlines, your transit/stopover visa will be automatically generated and e-mailed to you once approved.

If you book via Saudia, you may also avail of a one-night complimentary hotel stay, depending on hotel availability. Note that your layover/stopover must be over 12 hours but no longer than 96 hours to qualify for the transit/stopover visa.

Standard transit/stopover visa

If you are flying via other airlines and your layover/stopover is over 12 hours, you can apply for a standard transit visa on KSA Visa.

In the 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.

Requirements

To apply for a Saudi transit/stopover visa, you will need the following:

• Passport with at least six months validity remaining
• Passport-size photo with a white background. The file must not exceed 20kb in size and should be in either JPEG or PNG file formats. The image dimensions allowed are 200×200 pixels.
• Health insurance

Visa fees

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).

Processing time

Once you’ve paid for your visa on arrival, it’s time to wait. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes for the visa on arrival to be issued.

Option 4: Via VFS Tasheer or the Saudi embassy/consulate

With its massive investments in tourism, it’s no surprise that Saudi Arabia is receiving more Pakistani visitors each year.

If you are ineligible for an e-visa, a visa on arrival, or a transit/stopover visa, you may apply for a Saudi visa by applying at the nearest VFS Tasheer center or Saudi embassy/consulate.

For a complete list of VFS Tasheer centers in Pakistan, click here. The Saudi embassy in Pakistan, meanwhile, is located at No. 14, North Service Road, Diplomatic Enclave, G-4, Islamabad, with contact number 0092512600900 and e-mail address pkemb@mofa.gov.sa.

Eligibility

People of all nationalities are welcome to apply for a Saudi visa via a VFS Tasheer or Saudi embassy/consulate.

Application

To book a Saudi visa via a VFS Tasheer, you’ll need to book an appointment at https://vc.tasheer.com/appointment. Select your nationality and the visa you are applying for. On the day of your appointment, submit your supporting documents, get your fingerprints scanned and your photo taken, before paying the visa fees.

Similar to the VFS, you will need to schedule an appointment at a Saudi embassy/consulate to submit your supporting documents, your fingerprints to be scanned, and your photo taken, before paying the visa fees.

Requirements

When applying for a Saudi visa through a Saudi embassy or consulate, the requirements will vary depending on the specific purpose of your visit. But in general, you will need to prepare the following:

• Clear photocopy of your passport (with at least 6 months’ worth of validity remaining)
• 2 copies of a passport-sized photo
• Birth and/or marriage certificate of the applicant
• Visa fees

Note that the fees will vary per VFS location and also depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Some VFS Tasheer may only accept cash, while others may also accept international debit or credit cards.

Validity

It will depend on the type of Saudi visa you are applying for, although generally, Saudi visit visas have a total stay duration of 90 days, whether for a single-entry visa (valid for 90 days) or a multiple-entry visa (valid for 365 days).

Processing time

Depending on your location and the volume of VFS customers, it may take a few business days to a few weeks for your visa application to be processed. Note that the processing time may be longer if the VFS Tasheer asks you for additional supporting documents or information.

For the embassy/consulate, meanwhile, it typically takes 1 to 2 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Although we’ve covered essential information about the Saudi visa requirements for Pakistani citizens, we’re certain you may have more questions about the topic. The following are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Can I use a tourist visa to come to work in Saudi Arabia?

No, you cannot replace the Saudi work visa with a Saudi tourist visa. But you can use it for short business trips that include meetings, short conferences, workshops, and other activities that don’t require a business contract.

How long can a business visit visa holder attend a business conference?

There is no set period for attending conferences, but you should not sign any kind of work contracts while under a Saudi tourist visa.

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.

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

As prized visitors of Saudi Arabia, Pakistani citizens are being provided greater access to the country. With millions of pilgrims each year, the country aims to attract 3.5 Pakistani pilgrims by 2030.

There are a variety of Saudi visas Pakistani citizens are eligible for, which they can apply for via KSA Visa, VFS Tasheer centers, or through Saudi embassies or consulates.

For more information, consult KSA Visa or the nearest Saudi embassy.

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