Saudi Arabia is offering a new e-visa that allows those wishing to visit their relatives or friends residing in the Kingdom, take part in tourism events and perform Umrah outside the Hajj season, as part of the Kingdom's efforts to facilitate entry procedures and enhance the tourism experience for visitors.
The visa allows visitors to:
Visit family or friends in the Kingdom.
Attend tourism events and activities held in various cities.
Perform Umrah, for Muslims, outside the Hajj season.
Move freely between the Kingdom's cities during their stay.
The visa does not cover performing Hajj, as entry during the Hajj season is only permitted through the ports designated for pilgrims.
Visa fees:
$80 visa fee, refundable.
$10.5 digital service fee for the visa, non-refundable.
$10.5 digital service fee for insurance, non-refundable.
Health insurance fees: vary depending on the insurance company chosen.
All fees are paid electronically during the application via the Saudi Visa platform.
Categories Eligible for the Visa
The visa is available to citizens of eligible countries or those who hold:
A valid visit visa for the United States, the United Kingdom or the Schengen countries.
Permanent residency in the United States, the European Union or the United Kingdom.
Legal residency in one of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
It can also be obtained through accredited service offices or Saudi embassies in countries where the e-visa service is not available, or on arrival at the Kingdom's ports of entry for those who are eligible.
Basic Requirements
A passport valid for at least 6 months.
Health insurance covering the period of stay.
Proof of financial means to cover accommodation and transport costs.
The applicant must be at least 18 years old, unless accompanied by a guardian.
Compliance with the Kingdom's rules and regulations during the visit.
Processing Time
Applications are processed within a period ranging from one minute to 3 working days, depending on the completeness of the required data and documents.
Steps to Apply for the Family and Friends Visit Visa
Prepare the required documents, including a valid passport and a recent personal photo.
Fill in the online application form accurately via the Saudi Visa platform and pay the required fees.
Track the application status via the visa tracker using the application or invitation number.
Receive notification of acceptance or rejection by email, with the option to reapply at any time.
Visitors can use credit cards to complete their transactions in the Kingdom without needing to carry cash, and Muslims can visit Makkah and Madinah and perform Umrah during the visa's validity period.
To view the post on the Saudi Visa website, click here.
