Unlocking Saudi Arabia: Explore Visa Options & Requirements

Citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait can use their national ID card to enter the country and do not require a visa to travel to Saudi Arabia. Also, citizens from 59 countries can easily apply for an e-visa or get a visa on arrival to visit the country.

Saudi Arabia offers a variety of visas to cater to different purposes of visitation. Below are some of the most common types:

Visit Visa:

• Tourist visa: This visa is issued for leisure travel to Saudi Arabia. This visa permits single or multiple short-term trips with a maximum of 90 days.
• Hajj and Umrah Visa: Issued to Muslim pilgrims wishing to perform Umrah or Hajj. There are specific quotas and requirements applicable for these visas.

Business Visa:

• Business visa: This visa is issued for short-term business purposes such as conferences, meetings, etc. It typically allows single or multiple entries for a limited period.

Employment Visas:

• Work (Employment) visa: This visa provides employment opportunities to professionals from a specific employer. To be eligible for this visa type, an individual requires an invitation letter from the employer, an employment contract, sponsorship, attested educational certification, a medical screening security check, etc. The employer in this case is required to apply for a work visa for the employee. The employee can visit Saudi Arabia for 90 days, during which time the employee is expected to apply for a Saudi residence visa to be eligible to work in Saudi Arabia.
• Dependant visa: This type of visa is issued to the spouse and children of individuals having valid work visas in Saudi Arabia.

Other Visas:

• Transit visa: This visa is for foreign nationals or travellers, allowing them to have short stays of over 12 hours. Travelers with a layover in Saudi Arabia of less than 12 hours do not require a Saudi transit visa.
• Student visa: A Saudi Arabia student visa is required for international students who want to study in the Kingdom.
• Premium residency visa: Saudi Arabia introduced a premium residency program for talented and wealthy foreign nationals who wish to live in Saudi Arabia and invest in Saudi business without the need for a Saudi sponsor. This visa provides foreigners with the right to reside in Saudi Arabia, own property in Saudi Arabia, invest in Saudi business, work, switch jobs, hire foreign employees, sponsor Saudi residency, visit visas for their family members, and enter and exit Saudi Arabia without the need of a sponsor.
• Family visit visa: This visa is applicable for a short-term visit to first-degree relatives of Saudi nationals and legal residents, including parents, spouses, children, and direct-in-laws.
• Newborn visa: The newborn visa is eligible for newborns less than 12 months old where both parents are required to have a valid visa. Saudi work permit, or Iqama, and the mother as a valid re-entry visa into Saudi Arabia.
• Government visa: This visa is issued to individuals invited by Saudi Arabian government institutions or departments for specific purposes such as workshops, conferences, training programs, etc. It involves sponsorship from the inviting party and is allowed for a limited period of stay.
• Diplomatic and official visas: This visa is issued to diplomats, government officials, and their families. The visa might offer additional benefits and extended validity periods based on diplomatic immunity.
• Permanent residency visa: This visa offers long-term residence rights in Saudi Arabia
• Renewable one-year visa: A temporary permit granted for one year with the possibility of renewable. It may be suitable for employment or a specific purpose.
• Special talent visa: Offered to professionals specialised in healthcare, science, and research. The professionals specialising in healthcare and science must have a minimum salary of SR35,000 monthly, and researchers must have a minimum salary of SR14,000 monthly.
• Gifted visa: Granted to integrate skilled and talented individuals and covers a fixed term period of five years. There are two categories that qualify for this type of visa that includes being nominated or receiving an award approved by the Saudi Ministries of Culture and Sports or fulfil the minimum eligibility criteria approved by the two ministries.
• Investor visa: Offered to attract foreign investment to Saudi Arabia and requires a minimum amount of capital by investing in issuance of investment license and investing a minimum of SR 7 million in economic activities in accordance with the Investment law.
• Entrepreneur visa: Intended for aspiring entrepreneurs and owners of innovative projects willing to launce and develop their start-ups in Saudi Arabia. There are two categories that qualify for this type of visa that includes:
  • Obtaining a minimum SR400,000 investment from an accredited organisation and hold at least 20 per cent share of the startup, or
  • Obtaining a minimum SR15 million investments from an accredited organisation and hold at least 10 per cent share of the startup.
• Real Estate visa: Granted to foreigners purchasing real estate properties in Saudi Arabia worth a minimum of SR4 million. The property must be residential and developed, an not from undeveloped or unimproved land.