Saudi Visit Visa from Pakistan

Introduction

Nothing can quite compare to the majestic beauty of natural wonders, which are found in abundance in Saudi Arabia. From its scenic Farasan islands in the Red Sea, the stunning Elephant Rock formation, to the heritage village of Al Diriyah. If you’re planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, it’s a great time as the country is investing billions in its tourism sector, with the hopes of attracting over 100 million annual visitors by 2030. If you’re based in Pakistan, you may wonder what the process is like to apply for a Saudi visit visa. What are the documents you need to prepare? Where do you apply? Here’s what you need to know about applying for a Saudi visit visa from Pakistan.

Getting a Saudi visit visa from Pakistan

There are several ways you can apply for a Saudi visit visa from Pakistan. However, the methods available to you will depend on your eligibility. Let’s check them out one by one.

Option 1: Saudi e-visa

As mentioned earlier, Saudi Arabia is opening its gates further to the world, thereby making it easier for more and more nationalities to apply for a Saudi visa.

The Saudi electronic visa or e-visa, is perhaps the easiest, simplest, and most convenient way of obtaining a Saudi visa because you can apply in just a few minutes, at the comfort of your home. Read on to learn more.

Eligibility

The following individuals can apply for an 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.

Currently, there are over 60 countries the citizens of which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has deemed eligible to apply for a Saudi e-visa. Pakistan is not among these, however, we must consider that there are Pakistani residents who may be among the eligible nationalities.

As mentioned above, a Pakistani citizen or resident may also be eligible for a Saudi visit visa from Pakistan if he or she has an active US, UK, or Schengen visit visa with at least one entry stamp from the issuing country.

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 US, UK, or 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 US, UK, or Schengen visa holder, all you need to do is visit KSA Visa, Saudi Arabia’s easy-to-use portal, sign up for an account, provide your 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.
You can also apply for any first-degree relatives accompanying you on the trip, such as your Parents, spouse, or children, under your active US, UK, or Schengen visit visa. Just make use of the same account to do the family e-visa application.

Requirements

To apply for a Saudi tourist 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

For other visit visas such as a business visa, personal visit visa, or family visit visa, you will need to have a letter of invitation from a Saudi sponsor or host.

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 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.

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

If you’re a holder of an active US, UK, or Schengen visit visa, then you’re also eligible for a Saudi visa on arrival, the next easiest and most convenient option for obtaining a Saudi visit visa from Pakistan. The Saudi visa on arrival is a type of visa 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 issued at the airport after the traveler submits certain documents as indicated by immigration authorities.

Eligibility

As mentioned, the same conditions as for the Saudi e-visa apply to the eligibility for a Saudi visa on arrival. If you’re a holder of an active US, UK, or Schengen visit visa with at least one entry stamp, then you can avail of a Saudi visa on arrival.

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, 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

Apart from your active US, UK, or Schengen visa with at least one entry stamp, you’ll also need to have a passport with 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

The e-visa and the visa on arrival are both great options whenever you’re planning a trip to Saudi Arabia. But there’s another way you can easily enter Saudi Arabia: the Saudi transit or stopover visa, which is open to all nationalities.

This means that even if you don’t have an active US, UK, or Schengen visa, you may apply for a Saudi transit/stopover visa. It allows travelers to pass through Saudi land borders, airports, or ports for no more than 96 hours. While in the country, they can also perform Umrah.

In case you are traveling somewhere while you have a valid UK visa, and you have a layover or stopover in Saudi Arabia that is over 12 hours, you can use the Saudi transit/stopover visa for a brief stay in the country.

Note that a transit visa is only required if your layover or stopover in Saudi Arabia is over 12 hours.

Transit/stopover visa with Flynas or Saudia

If your stopover in Saudi Arabia allows you to stay for more than 12 hours and you are flying via Flynas or Saudia, you’re in luck. You are eligible for a free Saudi transit or stopover visa which allows you a brief stay in Saudi Arabia for a maximum of 96 hours.

When you book with these two airlines, your transit/stopover visa will be automatically generated and e-mailed to you once approved. It takes about just three minutes to apply for the transit/stopover visa. You may apply for the visa up to 90 days before your trip.

Note that while the transit/stopover visa is free, it is still subject to administrative and medical insurance fees. You may also perform Umrah under this visa, but not for Hajj.

Travelers who avail of a transit/stopover visa via Saudia also have the option to avail of a free one-night accommodation, subject to room availability.

Standard transit visa

If you are passing through Saudi Arabia on an airline other than Saudi Arabia’s Flynas or Saudia and your layover/stopover is more than 12 hours, you can avail of 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.

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
• Letter of invitation (if applicable to the visit visa being applied for)

Visa fees

While you can avail of a free transit/stopover visa via Saudia or Flynas, 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). Note that these fees are non-refundable.

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

Because Saudi Arabia has so much to offer to Indian tourists, it’s no wonder that the number of Indian visitors is going up each year.

If you are ineligible for an e-visa, a visa on arrival, or a transit/stopover visa, you might be eligible to apply for a Saudi visa by applying through the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate, if applicable to your country of origin. Note that many Saudi embassies or consulates may no longer accept visa applications and will refer you instead to a VFS (Visa Facilitation Services) Tasheer or the KSA Visa platform.

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
• Letter of invitation from a Saudi sponsor or host, if applicable to the visit visa being applied for

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.
How long will the Saudi visa be valid for?

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

While we’ve covered the different ways Pakistani citizens and residents may apply for a Saudi visit visa, we’re sure you still have other questions and clarifications about it. The following are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Do I need to book an appointment to visit a Saudi embassy/consulate to apply for a visa or cancel a visa?

It will depend on the rules and guidelines of the Saudi embassy/consulate. It is best to check directly with the embassy as to what their procedures are for visa application or cancellation.

What if I got a new passport after acquiring a Saudi tourist visa?

You must carry both your old and new passports when traveling to Saudi Arabia. It’s important that you carry the old passport, which is linked to your Saudi visa.

Can I apply for a Saudi visa as an unaccompanied woman?

Yes, you may come to Saudi Arabia unaccompanied. You also don’t need to wear a hijab or abaya while in the kingdom. Just remember to dress appropriately and modestly.

Can I get a refund if my visa application is rejected?

No, you can’t get a refund if your visa application is rejected. Note that visa fees are non-refundable.

Can you buy alcohol in Saudi Arabia?

No, you cannot buy alcohol in Saudi Arabia, as it is illegal to consume it in the kingdom. Visitors are encouraged to experience the local culture and customs and enjoy these without alcohol.

Conclusion

With its wealth of natural and cultural wonders, Saudi Arabia is a great destination for a holiday or business meeting, among other travel purposes. Pakistanis, for instance, might be interested in traveling to the country for tourism.

Although Pakistan is not among the countries eligible for a Saudi e-visa, there are instances when they can apply for a Saudi visit visa from Pakistan. There might be Pakistani residents whose nationalities are eligible for it or dual citizens of eligible countries. Pakistani citizens and residents who also hold active US, UK, or Schengen visit visas are also eligible for a Saudi e-visa or a Saudi visa on arrival.

Alternatively, people applying from Pakistan may visit Saudi Arabia under a Saudi transit/stopover visa, or by applying for a tourist visa via VFS Tasheer centers or the Saudi embassy/consulate.

For more information, visit KSA Visa.

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