Saudi Arabia, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has excellent infrastructure and offers all the amenities and facilities to its residents and visitors from around the world. All visitors to Saudi Arabia need to obtain a visa relevant to their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – such as tourism, business, work, residence and business. Applicants can apply for a Saudi Arabia visa online at www.mofa.gov.sa. Here we will discuss everything about a Saudi Arabia Visa for Indians.
Also Read: Dubai Visa for Indians: Types, Eligibility & Fees | Kuwait Work Visa & Permit for Indians: An Overview
Saudi Arabia visa types for Indians
Saudi Arabia issues different types of visas and permits based on the purpose and duration of stay of applicants.
- Business Visa
- Commercial Visa
- Employment Visa
- Work Visit Visa
- Family Visit Visa
- Student Visa
- Hajj Visa
- Residence Visa
- Government Visit Visa
- Adding New-born-to-Saudi-Residence-Card
- Diplomatic and Official Visa
- Escort Visa
- Extension of Exit/Re-Entry Visa
- Personal Visit Visa
- Supplemental Journalist Visa Application
- Umrah Visa
Saudi Arabia business visa
Saudi Embassies issue visitors’ visas to business people with commercial and industrial interests in Saudi Arabia. A visa applicant’s firm or agent in Saudi Arabia applies for the visa on his/her behalf to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once the visa is approved, the embassy or consulate issues the required visa, following the instruction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, embassy and consular officers can directly grant a short-visit visa to foreign businessmen, if the applicant works for a large corporation already in Saudi Arabia.
Religious visa
Religious visas are issued to Muslims from all over the world who wish to visit Saudi Arabia to perform religious activities like Umrah or Hajj in the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Tourist visa
Saudi Arabia tourist visa allows tourists from around the world to discover the rich heritage, the vibrant culture, diverse and breathtaking landscapes, and experience the warm hospitality of Saudi people.
The Saudi Arabia e-visa is a one-year, multiple entry visa that allows tourists to spend up to 90 days in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia Work visa/ residence visa
Saudi employers are required to apply for work permits with the government bodies – Interior and Labor & Saudi Affairs Ministries – on behalf of the foreign workers. Individuals who wish to stay in the Kingdom for more than three months must obtain a residence permit (Iqama). Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iqama is valid for two years.
Dependents of foreign employees can get a residence visa, which doesn’t allow them to seek employment in the Kingdom. Residence visa holders need to obtain an exit visa to leave the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia visa application
You can get in touch with registered visa agents to apply for a visa to Saudi Arabia. Check the list of licensed agencies on http://embassies.mofa.gov.sa/. Here is a list of Saudi Arabia visa requirements:
- Filled visa application form with the following details:
- Name of the applicant
- Mother’s name
- Date and place of birth
- Nationality
- Present Nationality
- Sex
- Marital Status
- Religion
- Qualification
- Profession
- Home & office address and contact number
- Passport details
- Purpose of travel
- Duration of stay
- Mode of payment
- Destination
- Dependent’s details, etc.
- A passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of application and has at least two blank pages for stamping.
- Recent passport size photographs with white background.
Based on the eligibility criteria and documents submitted, your visa application will be approved or rejected. If your application is approved, you are advised not to overstay the duration mentioned on the visa.
Visitors are required to follow the Islamic laws and regulations of Saudi Arabia and respect the traditions and values of KSA. There is a severe restriction on possession of alcoholic beverages, pork products, firearms, explosives, edged weapons, prohibited drugs and narcotics, and pornographic materials.
Saudi Arabia visa fee
Visa fee will be charged based on the visa type as under:
- VIP business visa: S.R.1,000
- Business visa multiple entry: S.R.500
- Business visa single entry: S.R.200
- Work/residence/transit/student visa: S.R.50
- No fees for the purpose of Government, Hajj, Umrah, and Extension of exit re-entry
Also Read: Visa Status: Check Visa Status with Passport Number
Eligibility criteria
Business visit
- Visa fee: The visa fee needs to be paid online only. As per the current rule there is no provision for any kind of offline payment.
- Passport: A passport that is valid for at least 6 months with at least two blank pages.
- Photographs: Passport size photographs with a white background.
- Recommendation letter: A Recommendation letter from the Chamber of Commerce.
- Covering letter: The covering letter must contain details of the business and contact addresses of the Business Associate in Saudi Arabia, with the company’s seal on it. The covering letter should also include details like the nature of the business, the designation of the applicant.
- Invitation letter: Invitation letter arranged by the sponsor in Saudi Arabia needs to be submitted through the Chamber of Commerce.
- Visa validity: The visa is issued for a maximum of 90 days from the date of issue.
Temporary work permit visa
- Visa fee: The visa fee needs to be paid online only. As per the current rule there is no provision for any kind of offline payments.
- Passport: A passport that is valid for at least 6 months with at least two blank pages.
- Photographs: Passport size photographs with a white background.
- Recommendation letter: A Recommendation letter from the Chamber of Commerce.
- Covering letter: You need to submit a cover letter from an Indian organization or an individual company that includes business details and contact information. The covering letter should also include details like the designation of the applicant, nature of the business with the company’s seal on it.
- Invitation letter: Invitation letter from the Indian Chamber of Commerce attested by Saudi Arabia Chamber of Commerce with the agreement from the company in the name of the applicant.
- Company registration: A copy of the company’s registration.
- Medical certificate: Medical certificate from an embassy approved doctor.
- Experience letter: Experience letter for the past two years.
- Education documents: Based on the type of work, you must submit your degree/diploma/ certificate attested by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of External Affairs, and the Embassy.
- Air tickets: Copy of confirmed airline tickets.
- Visa fee: The receipt of visa fee payment of S.R. 2,000.
- Visa processing: If you fulfill Saudi Arabia work visa requirements, The visa application is processed in 4-5 working days.
- Visa validity: The visa is issued for a maximum of 90 days from the date of issue and can be extended by the sponsor.
Family Visit
- Visa fee: The visa fee needs to be paid online only. As per the current rule there is no provision for any kind of offline payments.
- Passport: A passport that is valid for at least 6 months with at least two blank pages.
- Photographs: Passport size photographs with a white background.
- Visa processing: The application is processed in 4-5 working days.
- Visa validity: The visa is issued for a maximum of 90 days from the date of issue.
- Dependents: Dependents of an applicant are required to provide a marriage certificate (for married applicants) and medical certificate and birth certificate for children to visit Saudi Arabia.
Transit Visa
In order to travel through the territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to your destination, you need to get a transit visa if you spend more than 12 hours within the KSA territory. Here are the eligibility criteria to apply for a transit visa:
- Visa fee: Visa fee: The visa fee needs to be paid online only. As per the current rule there is no provision for any kind of offline payments.
- Passport: Passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months.
- Photographs: Passport size photographs with a white background.
- Recommendation letter: A Recommendation letter from the Chamber of Commerce.
- Visa processing: The application is processed in 4-5 working days.
- Visa validity: The visa is issued for a maximum of 72 hours and is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Transit visas can be extended to two weeks.
Also Read: Indian Passport for NRI: Renewal vs Reissue
Saudi Arabia Embassies in India
You can contact the KSA Embassies in India for any further information about a Saudi Arabia visa for Indians:
Delhi
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
No – 2, Paschimi Marg, Vasant Vihar,
New Delhi – 110057
Telephone: 4324 4444
Mumbai
Royal Consulate General of Saudi Arabia
Maker Tower ‘F’, 4th Floor, Cuffe Parade,
Mumbai – 400 005
Telephone:022- 2215 6001, 6002, 6003, 6004
Email: [email protected]
You can contact Saudi Embassy in India for more clarity on visa fees. If you’re looking for any assitance for NRI services such as NRI account opening, NRI Demat account, NRI investment or taxation, experts at SBNRI can help you out with everything. Download SBNRI App from the Google Play Store or App Store to ask any questions related to NRI services. Also visit our blog and Youtube Channel for more details.
