Saudi Arabia Visa Types Explained for First-Time Visitors

Going on your first trip to the Kingdom? The first step before you book your flights and hotels is to know the various Saudi Arabia Visa Types. All the categories of visas have their purposes, requirements, and term. When you know the right one, then you know that your travel is going to be stress-free and well-prepared.

We make it easier to the first-time travelers at Go Kite Tours. Whether we advise you on the appropriate Saudi Arabia entry visa or assist you to calculate the approximate Saudi visa time to approve, we ensure that your trip starts on a good footing. We are going to discuss the types of Saudi Arabia Visas that are available to you in order to select the one that best suits your purposes of travel.

A Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Saudi Arabia Visa for Your Journey

1. Tourist Visa

The tourist visa is ideal to those who would like to visit the culture, modern places and beautiful scenery of Saudi Arabia. It has the benefit of multiple entries per year, maximum days of stay per visit being 90 days. This is a flexible type of visa that is commonly used by international visitors to sightseeing, recreational and festivals, and is therefore one of the most popular visa that first-time travelers use.

2. Business Visa

A business visa is issued to individuals that are professionals in trade events, meetings, or conferences. It allows entry on legal grounds and it is usually issued in the case of short visits. Applicants normally require an invitation letter of a Saudi company or partner. It is best suited to entrepreneurs, investors and representatives who desire to explore opportunities as well as establish meaningful professional relationships within the Kingdom.

3. Umrah Visa

Umrah visa is required by Muslim travelers who intend to do the holy Umrah pilgrimage. This is a temporary visa, which is meant to finalize the religious activities in Makkah and Madinah. It does not permit sightseeing or business. Since it is a spiritual visit, the travelers who apply this visa are required to fulfill the religious and travel requirements of the Saudi authorities.

4. Hajj Visa

The Hajj visa is given to Muslims who are on pilgrimage to Makkah which is one of the five pillars of Islam annually. This visa is very strict on time limits and conditions of entry. Scheduling is not possible, and the applicants should be early because the number of spots is few and the demand is high. Contrary to other visas, it is issued during the Hajj season and it is purely issued on religious grounds.

5. Family Visit Visa

The family visit visa will enable close family members of Saudi residents or Saudi citizens to visit and have temporary stay in the Kingdom. It may be on a single or multiple entry depending on the type issued. The short visit visa is made to facilitate short visits where the families can have time together. It is not supposed to be used to work or live in Saudi Arabia on permanent basis.

6. Work Visa

Foreigners who want to work in Saudi Arabia must have the work visa. It is sponsored by an employer in Saudi, and requires extra paperwork, such as work contracts and medical tests. It is also valid on long term stays and entitles one to work legally. The processing time may take long and, therefore, an applicant needs to plan before relocating to the Kingdom in pursuit of career opportunities.

7. Student Visa

The visa is targeting international students who are studying in Saudi Arabia. The candidates should be officially accepted by a Saudi university or an educational institution. The visa gives them the opportunity to remain in the country without violating the law throughout the period of their studies. There are also a few well-known universities in Saudi Arabia and this visa will be significant to students seeking higher education overseas.

8. Transit Visa

The transit visa is utilized by the tourists who transit Saudi Arabia on their journey to another destination. It permits short-durations of between 12 and 96 hours stay. This visa is best suited to an individual who wishes to sample Saudi hospitality, sightsee a city, or have a quick rest during a layover before proceeding with an international trip.

9. Government Visa

The government visa is given to the people invited by the Saudi ministries or official organizations. It does not require travelers to apply directly but instead done in governmental channels. This is an official visit visa, diplomatic visa or international business collaboration visa which provides certain entry privileges based on the character of the official task.

10. Residence Visa

The residence visa is aimed at foreigners intending to spend a long time in Saudi Arabia due to reasons like work, family sponsorship and investment. It must be approved by the local authorities, and it is normally sponsored by an employer or relative. The holders of this visa are allowed to reside in Saudi Arabia, which is a requirement to the expatriates intending to establish a life in the Kingdom.

Conclusion

The first step towards a stress free trip to the Kingdom is to choose the appropriate visa. There are numerous types of Saudi Arabia Visa and therefore, first-time visitors should take time to ensure that the purpose of visit is matched with the appropriate type. Whether going on a short term visit or on a permanent stay, both are meant to ensure that your travelling is secure and well planned.

At Go Kite Tours, we have come to make the process easier. Our seasoned team will take care of all the details whether you require advice on the most suitable Saudi Arabia entry visa to travel to the country or you simply need to know the average Saudi visa time. Your adventure in Saudi will be confidence-free and excitement-filled with our help, so you will be free to concentrate on the memories to come.