Step-by-Step: Applying for a Saudi Visit Visa from Oman

Introduction

Farasan Islands in the Red Sea, Al Wahbah Crater, and Elephant Rock in Al Ula. Just some of the beautiful sights to behold in Saudi Arabia.

With neighboring nations such as Oman being a part of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), Omanis can enjoy all these sightseeing gems at any time. 2024 to 2025 are also big years for the Gulf as a unified tourist visa is set to be launched. This visa will grant greater access to GCC nationals to cross borders, in a bid to boost tourism even further.

Do Omani citizens need to apply for a Saudi visa from Oman? What about Omani residents? How hard or how easy is the process and what are the requirements? We explore all these and more in this article.

Eligibility

If you’re an Omani citizen traveling to Saudi Arabia, you don’t need to apply for a Saudi visa. As a GCC national, you’re exempted from all types of Saudi visas and you can travel to Saudi Arabia anytime you wish. When you arrive in Saudi Arabia, simply present your national ID card or any other valid document proving your citizenship in Oman.

Being an Omani citizen also exempts you from needing to go through the different ways of obtaining a Saudi visa: 1) the e-visa, 2) visa on arrival, 3) part of a transit/stopover visa, 4) through a Saudi embassy or consulate, 5) VFS Tasheer, or 6) an authorized service provider such as a travel agency.

While Omani citizens are exempt from the Saudi visa application process, Omani residents, on the other hand, must secure a Saudi visa. What are the steps and requirements involved? How much does it cost? Read on to learn more.

Applying for a Saudi visa

While Omani citizens are exempt from the Saudi visa application process, Omani residents, on the other hand, must secure a Saudi visa. What are the steps and requirements involved? How much does it cost?
As a GCC member nation, Oman’s residents enjoy instant eligibility for Saudi’s e-visa. How does the e-visa work and how can Omani residents apply for it?

Option 1: Saudi e-visa

The Saudi e-visa program 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 Umrah.

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 at least three months.

How the Saudi e-visa works

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. Under an e-visa, you can typically stay in Saudi Arabia for a maximum of 90 days.

Requirements

To apply for a Saudi 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

Application

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, visit KSA Visa–Saudi Arabia’s unified platform for visa applications–and select the e-visa of your choice, and fill out the 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.

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, so make sure you get an e-visa ahead of time. 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 that Omani citizens and residents are eligible for 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

While we’ve covered essential information about applying for a Saudi visa from Oman, we’re sure you may still have more questions about it. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How can you check the status of your Saudi e-visa application?

To check the status of your e-visa application, log in to your KSA Visa account and check out the “Order Tracking” tool at the top. Just enter your application or visa number and your passport number so the system can generate the status of your e-visa application.

How can you check the validity of your Saudi e-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:

You can check your Saudi visa’s validity 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.

Where is the Saudi Arabia embassy in Oman?

The Saudi Arabia embassy in Oman is located at the Diplomatic Quarter – Qurum Beach – Arab League Street in Oman. You may reach the embassy by calling 0096824699507 or e-mailing omemb@mofa.gov.sa.

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.

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 extend my stay in Saudi Arabia with an e-visa?

Note that if you are granted a Saudi e-visa, it cannot be extended.

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 a neighboring GCC country of Saudi Arabia, Omani citizens can cross Saudi borders any time they wish.

While Omani citizens are exempt from applying for Saudi visas, Omani residents must apply for a Saudi visa. They are eligible for a Saudi e-visa and visa on arrival, the two easiest and most convenient ways to apply for a Saudi visa. With these visa options, they can easily travel to Saudi Arabia to perform tourist activities. Alternatively, they may consider obtaining a Saudi transit/stopover visa if they have a 12-96 hour layover in Saudi Arabia.

For more information on how to apply for a Saudi visa from Oman, visit KSA Visa.

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