If you want to travel to Saudi Arabia from the United Arab Emirates, it is a unique experience. Thanks to this you will be able to discover some countries rich in history, nature, and culture. In order to plan your trip, it is important to take into account some tips or requirements to avoid inconveniences or problems. One of the most important aspects is to obtain a Saudi visa for UAE residents. With this document, you will be able to enter and leave the kingdom without complications.
In this article, we will explain how to apply for a Saudi visa for UAE residents. Over the course of the content, you will see what types of visas are available, how much they cost, and how long they take to process. We will also give you some recommendations that may be useful to you before traveling. For example, the documents that you have to carry with you and what to expect when arriving in Saudi Arabia. We hope that this guide is useful and that you enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Do UAE Residents Need a Visa to Visit Saudi Arabia?
If you are a resident of the United Arab Emirates, you can travel to Saudi Arabia without needing a visa. This is because nationals of GCC countries can travel to Saudi Arabia without a visa. In this way, as the UAE is part of these countries, the Saudi Arabia visa for UAE residents will not be necessary.
Additionally, you will be able to enter the country only using your DNI or any other valid document. However, UAE residents cannot use their permits to apply for a Saudi Arabia visa. In this way, you must apply separately for a UAE Saudi resident visa. For this reason, it is recommended that you apply for your visa at the nearest Saudi Arabian embassy.
It is important that you keep in mind that there are many types of residence visas UAE. Among these, you find the UAE Golden visa, which is a long-term residence visa. Therefore, if you possess this you should understand that a Saudi visit visa for UAE residents will not be necessary.
Visa Requirements for UAE Residents
It is important that you know the Saudi e-visa or Saudi visa requirements for UAE residents. For this reason, we present these below:
- A digital passport photo is necessary and it must be recent.
- You must upload proof of travel insurance that will cover your stay
- The evidence that is going to be lodged.
- Plane tickets.
- Your passport.
Additionally, you find that your passport photo must meet certain requirements. These requirements are:
- The photo must be 200 x 200 wide and high. Also, the image size must be between 5 and 100 kb.
- Your photo must have a completely white background.
- The photograph should clearly show your facial features in a simple position. This is from the tip of the chin to the crown of the head.
- Both your face and eyes should be directly towards the camera. In this way, both the ears and the cheeks should be visible.
- Generally, the use of hats is not allowed. However, there may be exceptions, especially if it is for a religious reason. Therefore, the face must be visible from the lower tip of the chin to the forehead.
Latest Updates on Saudi Arabia Visit Visas
Some of the most important news about visit visas in Saudi Arabia are the following:
Single Entry Visit Visa: This visa has been extended to a total of 3 months for those arriving in the kingdom. In this way, this change is important concerning the duration of 30 days previously.
Saudi Arabia is currently opening its doors to the world through a new tourist visa. All this through the online portal that is very easy and quick to use. In this way, applicants can discover the warm hospitality of the Saudi people and their diverse landscapes. In addition, the eVisa l will have a duration of 1 year and with multiple entries, which will allow you to spend up to 90 days in the country.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia declared that visit visas to the kingdom cannot be renewed. In this way, tourists will not be able to extend their visas and must leave the country before its expiration.
Visa Application Process
The process for a KSA e-visa or KSA visa for UAE residents is completely online. For this reason, we present the following guide:
First step: visit the Saudi e-visa website. Then you need to click Apply Now and create your account. If you already have an account, just log in. In this way, you must enter your email, your password, the security questions, and finally enter the captcha.
Second step: at the top of the form you will see a place where you must upload your passport photo. It is important that you meet the requirements. Then, you need to provide information such as name, gender, nationality, date of birth, profession, etc.
Third step: you must provide your passport type, expiration date, passport number, reason for visiting, and the address in Saudi Arabia. So, if you are staying in a hotel, click on commercial accommodation. Now, you just have to enter the hotel address and contact number.
Fourth step: you will need medical insurance that covers the entire stay of your trip. In this way, complete the application form with all the information that is relevant.
Fifth step: You must read all the terms and conditions carefully. Therefore, if you are satisfied, you can accept all the conditions and click next.
Step six: It is important that you make sure that every detail you are providing is correct and up to date. Therefore, if you enter incorrect information, your visa may be rejected. After reviewing the application, you will be able to pay the visa fee either by credit or debit card. Once the application has been submitted, you will receive an email with your Saudi visa attached once it has been processed.
Types of Saudi Visas
You may notice that all people coming from the United Arab Emirates need a Saudi visa for UAE residents. This also applies to citizens of many foreign countries. Depending on the reason for your stay in Saudi Arabia, there are different types of Saudi visas available. You have to know that the processing of some of them can be requested online. But, for many others, you have to go to the KSA consulate.
In this section, you will see a description of the main visa types that exist in Saudi Arabia. With this information, you will be able to have the necessary information to make the correct visa choice.
Multiple Entry Visa
A very common Saudi multiple-entry visa for UAE residents is the eVisa. The Saudi Arabia eVisa is a multiple-entry visa. While it is valid, you can travel to KSA as many times as you need. Of course, you can only stay in the country for the time stipulated by the visa on each visit.
Currently, according to the KSA visa policy, citizens from 51 countries are eligible for the eVisa. If you want to know if your country is among them, you can research this on the Internet. Additionally, you have to know that the KSA eVisa is valid for only 90 days for each visit. You can use the Saudi Arabia eVisa for 1 year after the date of issue.
On the other hand, some nationalities are visa-exempt. Citizens of Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates only need a national ID card to travel to KSA. However, there are also Saudi visas for UAE residents that may be of interest to you to enter Saudi Arabia.
Tourist Visa
Another Saudi visa for UAE residents is the tourist visa. Generally, people who are not eligible to obtain an electronic visa or a visa upon arrival to Saudi Arabia apply for this visa. To process this visa, people have to go to the KSA embassy. You have to know that the Saudi Arabia tourist visa allows you to be in the country only for tourism or visiting purposes.
Business visa
When it comes to employment aspects, there are two Saudi visas for UAE residents. The first is the business visa, which allows foreigners to enter the kingdom for business purposes. For example, training, commercial agreements, business meetings, and others. If you want to travel for one of these reasons you can obtain the Saudi Arabia business visa.
On the other hand, there is also a work visa in KSA. Foreigners can apply for an employment visa or work visa in Saudi Arabia. To do this, it is essential to have a job offer from an employer in KSA.
Your employer is responsible for getting you a Saudi work permit. With this document, you can apply for a Saudi work visa at a Saudi consulate or embassy. Upon receiving the Saudi work visa and being able to enter KSA, you will subsequently have to apply for a residence permit from the Ministry of Labor in KSA.
Transit Visa
Foreign citizens from many countries who need to fly with a stopover in Saudi Arabia are not exempt from applying for a visa to KSA. In these cases, they can obtain a Saudi transit visa.
However, there are some exceptions to applying for a transit visa, which are:
- Have a confirmed plane ticket and have a destination to a third country within 12 hours. In addition, they cannot leave the international transit area of the airport.
- Travel through Jeddah International Airport (JED), Dammam (DMM) or Riyadh (RUH).
- Have a valid residence permit or visa or do not have a visa for your final destination.
It is important to remember that all travelers from Saudi Arabia who do not have nationalities eligible for visa-free entry to KSA, have to apply for a Saudi transit visa. Of course, this only applies if the connection time between your flights is greater than 12 hours. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia grants transit visas for 96 hours without additional charges and validity of up to three months.
Personal Visit Visa
Currently, there is the Personal Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia which is facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of KSA. With this visit visa, foreign citizens can enter the country through an invitation from their Saudi acquaintances or friends. It exists in the form of single-entry and multiple-entry visas.
In essence, Saudi personal visit visa holders have the following benefits:
- Enter and visit the country freely.
- Travel through all spaces within the kingdom.
- Visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina and other interesting religious sites.
- Perform Hajj/Umrah,
- Participate in all available cultural events.
This new initiative is part of the government’s efforts to increase the number of foreign visitors. Of course, in order to meet the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 and promote the country’s tourist spots to the world stage.
The new personal visit visa has a maximum validity period of 90 days and a period of stay of 90 days. However, the validity of the personal multiple-entry visa can be extended for 365 days. Each of the stays if you have a multiple entry visa will be 90 days.
Finally, people from other nations who wish to participate in the Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca have the option of applying for a personal visit visa. Those who have this visa will probably have to make an appointment for Umrah. To do this, you have to use the Nusuk Services or Tawakklana apps before you visit the Grand Mosque of Mecca.
Hajj and Umrah Visas
Any Muslim pilgrim from anywhere in the world can obtain an Umrah visa for Saudi Arabia. The processing of this visa is completely free, you just have to go to the Consulates or Embassies of Saudi Arabia in your country. You have to know that if you are eligible for a Saudi Arabia e-visa, you can use it to enter KSA and perform Hajj/Umrah.
