Saudi Arabia business visa application, requirements, price, and processing time

Visa Policy of Saudi Arabia

The visa policy of Saudi Arabia is the legal framework that determines who is eligible for visa-free entry into the Kingdom and who must hold a visa. Most foreign nationals coming to Saudi Arabia must hold visas before being allowed into the country, and there are three methods to obtain visas. They are consular visas issued by Saudi Arabian embassies and foreign missions abroad, visa on arrival, and the e visa online. Each category has an eligibility list of countries whose nationals qualify for one or the other.

The countries on the visa-free list are all GCC countries, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Oman. These Gulf Cooperation Council States have visa liberalization agreements with one another, and Saudi Arabia is a member state, so citizens can freely travel between these countries and even stay without visas.

As for the e-visa policy, about 59 sovereign states are on the eligibility list. The government launched the e-visa program to make it easy for short-term visitors to obtain visas instead of going through the protracted application process at embassies which takes more time. Also called an online visa, it is mainly designed for tourism and allows the holder to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days.

The application is available online, and if successful, the e-visa will also be issued online through the applicant’s email address. However, meeting the requirement like providing supporting documents, including a passport, is an important part of the process.

Citizens from these countries are eligible for e-visas but must be at least 18 years and above unless they travel with an adult. They will also need a valid email address and passport that has a minimum validity of six months after arrival in Saudi Arabia.

If you are not from any eligible e-Visa or GCC countries, you must apply for a consular visa at the Saudi Arabian embassy.

Key Details About Saudi Arabia e Visa

Here are some important details to know about the e Visa and a trip to Saudi Arabia.

Apply At The Right Time: It is always best to apply for the visa at the right time. Do not apply too early as the visa becomes valid and active the moment it is approved or too late if you want to travel immediately. To be on the safe side, apply for it at least 3-5 days before the day you plan to travel. This way you will have more than enough time on your visa to explore the country, spend your holidays to pursue your business interests.

Avoid The Holy Sites If You're Not Muslim: Saudi Arabia is the citadel of Islam and home to the holy sites of Makkah and Madina. These cities have holy sites that are only open to Muslims. If you are not a practicing Muslim avoid going to such sites will be a violation. Furthermore, if you are a Muslim but without an Islamic name, you need to show a signed letter by an Imam of your local mosque indicating that you are a practicing Muslim.

Respect The Local Laws: Saudi Arabia is a deeply religious society as expected since it is the birth place of the Prophet of Islam. As a foreigner in the country, make sure you respect the local laws of the country. For instance, alcohol is prohibited and people of opposite genders are not allowed to hold hands in public. Before traveling learn a thing or two about the religious and cultural taboos of the country so you don't err.

Use Only Approved Routes: The surrounding borders of Saudi Arabia can be hostile due to nature and wars, especially the border with Yemen. If you must visit the Gulf country, do so through approved routes. This is especially true for e Visa holders who are only allowed to enter the country through approved seaports and land borders. Doing so will protect yourself and also conform to the laws.

Print Your e Visa: Although the authorities can generate your e visa using your biometric information, it is always best to print out the e visa for reference purposes.

Saudi Arabia Visa Online – Get your Saudi Arabia e-Visa with VisaHQ

If you are planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for a short visit and are from an e-visa-eligible country, you can get a visa through VisaHQ. You don’t need to visit the Saudi embassy or consulate in your country to obtain an online visa. With VisaHQ you can apply for the e-visa from the comfort of your home or office, you can simply fill out the application form and submit it, and the e-visa will be delivered to your registered email once it’s ready.

How To obtain a visa with VisaHQ?

The application process on VisaHQ is quite easy, and you don’t have to spend hours filling out the form. With three simple steps, you can easily apply and get your E-visa. Here are the steps:

Fill The Form: The first step is to fill out the application form and ensure that all your entries are accurate and correspond with the information in your documents.

Attach Documents: You must upload the required documents depending on your visa type. After that step, submit for processing.

Get Your Visa: If your application is approved, the e-visa will be forwarded to your email address. Do print it out and travel with it.

Why Use VisaHQ?

In case you are in doubt as to whether you should use VisaHQ to apply for your visas to Saudi Arabia, here are more than a few reasons why you should choose VisaHQ?

• Fast and simple application process
• We have been in the industry since 2003, with 20 offices and a presence in 6 countries
• Enjoy first-class professional support from our experienced team.
• Safe and secure platform
• User-friendly application interface that is easy to use and navigate
• Track your application with ease
• Apply for multiple e-visas at the same time
• Save documents for future applications
• Encrypted website for data protection

Please apply for your e-visa now and get it approved within days.