Document Checklist for Travelling to Saudia Arabia

Kingdom of Saudia Arabia had been a hidden deserted beauty until recently when their government opened the gates completely to promote international tourism. This arab land is the birthplace of Islam and has a long history that attracts tourists. Tourists visit to explore the culture of Arabs and engage in adventurous activities like hiking, scuba diving, desert safari, etc. Moreover, the mystical beauty of Saudia Arabia takes you back to the tales of Arabian knights and the famous Aladdin. This article will help you prepare your documents as you apply for a visa to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Importance of Proper Documents

Although applying for a visa is a simple process, giving visas is a diplomatic job and concerns the national security of any country. Once a visa is rejected, it may be challenging to have a fair chance when re-applying. Hence it is crucial to prepare your documents according to the requirements without any scope or error. 

Important Points for Visa

Following are the important points to keep in mind while preparing your documents:

•  At least 2 successive pages of your passport should be empty.

• You will have to provide a bank statement for the last 6 months which shows the availability of sufficient funds.

• In case your parents are funding you, you will need a sponsorship letter from your parents declaring that they will be funding your trip along with their bank statement.

Essential Documents For Visa

• Valid Passport: Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date you are planning to leave Saudi Arabia and it should have two consecutive blank pages as well.
• Visas: Getting a visa is your pass to enter the borders of a country. There are different types of visas as mentioned below:

  • Tourist Visa

  • Business Visa

  • Work Visa

  • Pilgrimage Visa (Hajj/Umrah)

  • Student Visa

  • Transit Visa

  • Diplomatic/Official Visa

  • Medical Treatment Visa

• Travel Insurance: Saudi Arabia has not made it mandatory for tourists to get travel insurance to qualify for a visa. However, it is widely suggested to purchase travel insurance before travelling to any destination. It financially safeguards you from unexpected illness, loss of property, and other unfortunate events.

• Additional Documents: Based on the visa you are applying for, you will be asked to submit proof of the property you will be staying in during your stay in Saudi Arabia. It can be booking accommodation, reservation of a hotel, etc.
  Also if you are being invited by an educational institution or an established company, you will need to submit a letter of invitation as well.

• Return or Onward Tickets: You need to submit flight itineraries with the dates of entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and leaving the country as well. For a student or work visa, you do not need to submit the return flight details as the stay is often longer than a year.

• Proof of Sufficient Funds: A bank statement of the last 3 months from the date of applying for a visa is required. Note that sufficient funds should be there in your account throughout 3 months. This is required by the embassy to have the trust that you will not struggle financially during your stay in their country.

We strongly advise to maintain a digital backup of all the documents submitted. This way there is an ease of sharing documents wherever required and in case of loss of any document, you have an easily accessible digital alternative.

Visa Process

The application process for a Saudi visa is mentioned below: 

• Choose the appropriate visa type for your visit. (e.g., tourist, business, work, etc.).
• Gather required documents:
  • Valid passport with at least six months of validity
  • Passport-sized photographs
  • Completed visa application form
  • Supporting documents specific to your visa type (e.g., invitation letter, employment   contract, etc.
• Online application: If you are applying for a tourist visa, apply through the official Saudi Visa portal visitsaudi.com. For all other visa types, contact the nearest Saudi embassy.
• Pay the visa fee: Fees vary on the visa type and duration. Payment is usually made online using debit/credit cards.
•  Book an appointment (if required):
  • Some visa types require a visit to the embassy.
  • Schedule an appointment through the online booking system.
• Biometrics submission (if required):
  • Biometrics may be required for certain visa types.
  • Your fingerprints and digital photos are taken by the embassy for their official records.

Note: that the process of visa may vary with time and it is always a wise thing to check with up-to-date information regarding visas and the latest guidelines provided by the Saudi government. Consult with embassies or authenticated travel partners regarding up-to-date information and visa processes. 

Conclusion

This article explains what documents are required to get a visa to Saudi Arabia and mentions the importance of proper documentation. There are different types of visas, such as for tourists, business, or work and some of these visas demand some additional documents apart from the generally required documents. To apply for a visa, you need to fill out forms online, pay a fee, and may even need to visit the embassy. It is a strong piece of advice to get travel insurance which eases your financial burden in case of any mishappening.