Amid the opening up in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom is no longer just a destination for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, but has become a tourist destination with the start of the tourist season in its major cities. With big plans according to Vision 2030.
From this perspective, the demand for tourist visas for Saudi Arabia has recently increased from neighboring countries and even from all over the world. In this article, Lottrips will mention everything that is of interest to you at the moment regarding the tourist visa for Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia tourist visa
In late 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued a new entry visa system for tourist visas, allowing tourists to stay in the kingdom for up to 90 days for tourism purposes.
To discover the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia and its vibrant recreational seasons, as well as its beautiful natural attractions, especially on the warm shores of the Red Sea from the western part of the kingdom.
Conditions for obtaining a tourist visa for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Those wishing to visit the kingdom can apply for a Saudi Arabi a tourist visa through the online tourist visa portal just a few days before their expected trip, or even when they arrive at the airport in the designated arrival passport area; you can easily apply.
In the event that tourists are returning from one of the countries that are not eligible for a Saudi Arabian visa, they can apply for a Saudi Arabian tourist visa through Saudi Arabian embassies and consulates abroad (in their country).
Countries Eligible for Saudi Tourist e-Visas or Visas on Arrival
There are 49 countries whose citizens can obtain a Saudi Arabia e-Visa.
Europe
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Asia
Brunei, China (Hong Kong, Taipei, Macau), Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan
America
America, Canada
Oceania
Australia, New Zerland
How to apply for a tourist visa to Saudi Arabia
- E-Visa
- Visa on arrival at the airport
- Visas through consulates
Probably the most important thing that separates the procedure for applying for a tourist visa to Saudi Arabia is simple and uncomplicated, provided that the applicant for a tourist visa to Saudi Arabia has 49 eligible nationalities for Saudi Arabia Visa.
In that case, they can apply for a tourist visa to Saudi Arabia through the official e-Visa website on the Internet, or upon arrival at the kingdom’s airport.
Citizens of other nationalities must knock on the doors of Saudi embassies and consulates in their home countries before receiving a tourist visa to travel to the kingdom.
Tourist visa requirements for Saudi Arabia
The requirements vary depending on the countries you are coming to Saudi Arabia from.
- The minimum age to apply for a tourist visa in Saudi Arabia is the age of majority, 18 years.
- With respect to a passport applicant for a visa, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when entering the country.
- Those under 18 years of age must present a report to their parents/guardians.
- Follow health policies and get all recommended vaccinations.
On the other hand, all fees for submitting a Saudi tourist visa application are non-refundable if rejected, and the additional accommodation fee for each day of accommodation is 100 Saudi riyals.
E-Visa issuance usually takes 5-30 minutes, does not require any documents such as return ticket or hotel reservation (only accommodation address can be found) and no visa printout. , But also electronic photocopy. Finally, all airlines check visas before taking off to fly to Saudi Arabia.
Visa from Consulates for nationals who’re in list of ineligible countries for Saudi tourist visa
If the visa applicant holds the nationality of one of the ineligible countries, then he can apply for a tourist visa through the Saudi consulate in the respective country.
The visa issued by this mechanism does not require the presence of a guarantor, and requires only the following documents:
- Proof of residence
- Job proof
- Return ticket
- Bank proof
The visa in this case does not take more than two working days only to extract it.
Process:
People keep asking me about the process and the duration of the tourist visa. Tourist visa is for 1 year you can stay at a time for up to 90 days.
You can apply for a multiple entry visit visa very easily through the Consulate (Etimad Center) in Pakistan or any other country with all your relevant documents.
First you have to take an appointment on call as it’s better to go with an appointment.
Your documents will be according to your case. Once you go through the process, they take your documents and ask to submit a visa payment that is around $120.
They keep your passports once everything is cleared and you will get your passports back within 3-4 days after the visa is stamped.
How to renew the Tourist Visa, 1-year Visit Visa
1st Extension
But you have to keep in mind a few things, once you come to KSA that it won’t be a continuous 1 year visa.
It is divided into 3 parts. Your visa date starts from the day it is stamped. Suppose your visa starts from 1st January; when you complete 3 months in Saudi then your sponsor will have to renew it through an Absher account online.
They will first pay medical insurance and then visa renewal fee online through Absher account for each visa.
Note: There are many insurance agencies. You can select according to your convenience. After applying for renewal and paying all fees within a few days your visa will get extended for 3 months (1st extension)
2nd Extension
Once you complete 6 months you have to extend your visa again but this time you have to make an exit and reentry from Saudi Arabia.
It is not necessary to go back to your home country. You can also do exit and reentry by crossing the border by road to any neighboring country like Bahrain, Kuwait or Dubai.
Even if you go to Bahrain and return back the next hour your visa will be renewed.
Secondly you will have to take the visa of Bahrain from the Bahrain Embassy as well.
Means, you will take Bahrain visa then after visa issuance, you will exit and reentry through the border. That’s the way your Saudi multiple entry visit visa will get renewed for another 3 months (2nd extension).
3rd Extension
Now when you complete 9 months, you again have to extend the visa (if needed) with the same process as we have described in extension 1.
If due to any reason your visa is not renewed online you can make an appointment and visit Jawazaat before your visa expiry.
Upon completing one year (12 months) you have to leave KSA as your visa duration of 1 year is finished and it won’t be renewed again.
Bottom Line
Earlier they used to issue a 2 year multiple entry visa, but now they only have a 1 year multiple entry visit visa. You have to renew after every three months (upon need) and have to make exit re-entry in the 6th month by going to your home country or any other country.
Many people also ask whether we necessarily have to do the 6th month exit reentry (2nd extension) by plane or can we go to neighboring countries by road too. In this case you can go to a neighboring country by road or by airline.
So dear readers, this was a quick summary of everything you need to know regarding how to obtain a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia and the most important details regarding the tourist visa for Saudi Arabia and its requirements.. I hope many questions of yours will be cleared about the tourist visa.
If you want to learn about the best places for tourism around the world, tips related to Hajj & Umrah packages or hotel or flight booking, go through Lottrips; we’re a renowned company in Saudi Arabia offering a wide range of Hotel booking, flight reservations and Umrah services since a decade.