Saudi Instant Visa: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been implementing numerous initiatives and plans in order to realise its Saudi Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia has recently introduced a new entry permit called the Saudi Instant Visa, which is available to visa holders from the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Schengen area. This is in accordance with the country’s aim of accommodating 100 million visitors annually.
Saudi Instant Visa
The Saudi instant visa is essentially a newly introduced e-visa entry permit granted to those with permanent residency in the United Kingdom, United States, or European Union, as well as those with legitimate visas from the United Kingdom, United States, or Schengen Area. This visa is accessible regardless of the nationality of the applicant. The application process for this visa is conducted online, and the e-visa will be issued promptly upon compliance with the necessary procedures and regulations.
Saudi Instant Visa Criteria
To qualify for the Saudi e-visa entry permit, petitioners must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:
- Possessing permanent residency in the United Kingdom, United States, or European Union
- Possessing a valid business or tourist visa from the United Kingdom, the United States, or a Schengen country and having utilised the visa at least once are eligible for entry.
- Being a first-degree relative of a holder of a British, American, or Schengen visa
- Being a first-degree relative of a UK, US, or EU permanent resident is a prerequisite for obtaining a Saudi immediate visa.
Applicants for a Saudi visa on arrival must present the following documents:
- Valid confirmation of residence or valid visa from the United Kingdom, United States, or Schengen area
- Valid passport
Saudi instant visa application procedure
The application process for the new Saudi visa is streamlined and straightforward. Follow the below steps:
- Visit https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/
- Create a fresh account
- Login using the temporary account
- Click the ‘Add a New Application’ button.
- After reading the service agreement, select ‘agree’
- Complete the form with your information.
- Pay for the visa
- Receive your e-visa entry authorization
- You can always review the status of your visa application by logging in to https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/ with your registered account.
Saudi Instant Visa Expenses
According to the information available on the MOFA website, applicants for the Saudi visa on arrival must pay a fee of USD 10.5 (SAR 39.38) per application. This charge includes both the e-visa processing fee and the banking service fee. Importantly, this fee is non-refundable.
Saudi Rapid Visa Validity
The Saudi visa on arrival is a multi-entry entry permit valid for one year. Upon issuance of this e-visa entry permit, holders of valid US, UK, and Schengen visas will be permitted to remain in the country for a maximum of 90 days per visit.
