05-Sept-2022
23 min read
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) a fascinating country with a rich culture and history. And, if you're planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, you'll need to know more about the Saudi visa for Indians.
So I created this blog to provide in-depth information on the Saudi Arabia visa for Indians. So let's begin without wasting any time:
Yes. Indian passport holders traveling to Saudi Arabia must obtain a visa before their trip. Additionally, India does not belong to a visa-exempt country, meaning a valid visa is mandatory.
While the process may seem daunting, it's quite straightforward.
By following a few simple steps in this blog, you can easily obtain your visa and start planning your trip to Saudi Arabia.
If you're looking for a hassle-free way to get your Saudi tourist visa for Indians, Atlys is the app for you! With Atlys, you can easily apply for a visa and get real-time updates on the status of your application.
You can also find out all the requirements for getting a visa for your desired country. So download the Atlys app for a Saudi visa today and make your travel dreams a reality!
Before jumping straight into the nitty-gritty of the Saudi visa application, let us first take a quick glance at some other things, such as:
A Saudi visa is an official document allowing the holder to enter the country legally. Without a valid visa, you cannot even board your flight.
If you somehow manage to get to KSA, the immigration officers will deny you entry. And you'll be deported back to India to apply for a relevant visa.
Also, remember that deportation can affect your future visa applications.
The types of visas Indians can apply for depend on the purpose of their visit to the country. And the validity of a particular Saudi visa will vary accordingly.
The Saudi Arabia visa types available for Indians are:
For the sake of this blog, we'll be focusing on the Saudi visit visa for Indians for tourism or short visits.
Yes. However, not all Indian citizens can apply for a Saudi VoA for Indians.
Indian citizens that meet the eligibility criteria can apply for a Saudi visa on arrival (VoA) for Indians:
No. India is not on the eligible countries list for a Saudi eVisa. Meaning Indians must apply for an embassy-issued Saudi visa.
But you can get around this by using Atlys to apply for a Saudi visa directly from your phone.
The Saudi Arabia visa fees for Indians are different for each visa type. They must be paid to authorized/registered visa agents in India. You do not pay any visa fees to the Embassy.
The different Saudi visa fees for Indians are as follows:
The Saudi Arabia visa fees for Indians are included in the visa application fees paid to the visa agents. Lastly, the visa fees are non-refundable.
The Saudi visa for Indians can take 3 to 5 days to process. However, remember that each visa application is different, and sometimes the visa processing can take up to 3 weeks.
Additionally, the visa application goes through authorized travel agents and could take a few extra days. So I suggest you plan accordingly and start your visa application at least a month before your trip.
The Saudi visa validity is related to the type of visit permits you have applied for.
Generally, the Saudi visa validity of a single entry Saudi visit visa for Indians is 90 days, allowing you to stay in the country for 30 days.
Whereas a multiple entry visa is valid for 365 days. It allows you to stay in the country for 90 days.
Something to know about the Saudi Arabian Embassy is that they are quite strict when granting visas.
Any missing or incorrect documents in your visa application could mean rejection.
Hence, I suggest you read everything carefully to have all the correct documents for the visa application.
Firstly, to be able to apply for a Saudi visit visa for Indians, you must be 18 years or older.
And must submit the following documents:
Your original passport should meet the following requirements when applying for a Saudi visit visa for Indians:
The passport-sized photographs must meet the following requirements when applying for a Saudi visit visa for Indians:
There is no specified amount mentioned by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs related to Saudi tourist visas for Indians.
However, you would need to provide the bank statements received from the bank with a seal or bank stamp. The bank statements should reflect enough finances to cover your or your family's trip (if you sponsor them).
Only Indian citizens above 18 years can apply for a Saudi visa themselves. Meaning that parents or guardians must apply on behalf of the minor.
They would need to provide the following required documents:
Finally, you have made your way to what you wanted to find out -How to..
So here is all you need to know:
There are a few ways Indians can apply for a Saudi tourist visa from India:
Remember that Indians cannot apply for a Saudi visa directly at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia. All visa applications must come through registered agents when applying in India yourself.
So if you are going to apply for a Saudi visa yourself, you only have two points. Directly on Atlys or through a registered travel agent.
Unless you have a friend or family member in KSA who can apply for you online.
If you have decided to apply for your visa through a registered travel agent, you must:
STEP 1: Have The Required Documents
Get the most tedious task out of your way. Which is gathering all the required documents for the visa application.
Remember, incorrect or incomplete documents can lead to the visa application being denied. And the Embassy of Saudi Arabia is quite strict regarding granting visas.
STEP 2: Fill Out The Visa Application Form
Once your documents are ready, complete the KSA visa application form.
The form must be filled out with a pen or on an application such as adobe, and then it must be printed out.
Here’s what the visa form looks like:
STEP 3: Find A Registered Travel Agent
Now everything should be ready on your side.
So it is time to find a registered travel agent in India that can apply for a Saudi visa for you.
STEP 4: Submit And Pay For Visa Application
It is crucial that the visa application comes through a visa agent and that you do not submit it directly at the embassy.
And finally, you must pay the visa agent the relevant Saudi visa fees for Indians.
The visa fees are generally included in the service fees charged by the visa agent. Hence it is best to use Atlys to avoid too many steps and see where you are spending your money.
STEP 5: Wait For The Visa Process
The travel agent would then send the visa application to the Embassy in New Delhi or the consulate in Mumbai.
The visa process could take anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks, depending on the merit of your visa application and travel agent.
STEP 6: Receive Saudi Visa For Indians
And you did it!
Once the visa is approved, your visa agent will give you your passport with a valid Saudi visa for Indians.
I am not trying to sell you on it, but honestly, Atlys is the easiest way to apply for any visa. So just try and see how easy the entire process is.
No. Indian citizens cannot apply for a Saudi visa directly at the Embassy. Instead, they must go through the visa agents to apply for one.
No. Only 49 countries are eligible to apply for a Saudi eVisa. And India is NOT on this list, meaning you'd have to apply in India at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia.
Yes. There is a Saudi VoA available for Indians.
You can apply for a Saudi visa on arrival upon reaching the international airport in Saudi Arabia. Indians must meet the requirements for Saudi VoA to apply for it.
You must head to the designated VoA immigration counter upon arrival in Saudi Arabia to apply for the visa.
Remember that you cannot pay the visa fees in cash. Instead, you must have an international credit card or MADA card.
Since Indian citizens cannot apply for a Saudi eVisa, there is no way to do a Saudi visa check online. But, if you have applied for your visa on Atlys, you can follow your visa application on your phone.
However, if a citizen or resident has applied for a visa for you on the MOFA platform, they can check the Saudi visa status online. To check the visa status, they must:
Alternatively, you can also do the following:
Now you basically know everything about the visa application process for a Saudi visa for Indians.
But there a still a few things you should know about your visa. Let me highlight those:
Now you have your visa and are ready to travel to Saudi. But what happens then?
Here are some of the things you should have and expect:
Not all visa applications are simple, and some hiccups along the way are common.
However, some issues can delay the visa application or even get rejected. So let us look at some of the common issues:
Finally, Saudi Arabia has also lifted all of the covid19-related rules in the country.
So, what does that mean?
This means the following has changed if you are visiting for tourism purposes:
If you are visiting the country for religious pilgrims such as Umrah, you must follow the below-mentioned regulations:
Remember that the covid19 rules can be unpredictable and can be changed at any time. Hence, you must stay up to date with covid19 requirements. Also, always check with the airlines to check if there are any regulations you must follow to board your flight.
Now you know everything about the visa application process, you are ready to travel to Saudi Arabia.
But I thought of adding additional information that would be helpful on your trip to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is generally safe for tourists, including solo women traveling. However, specific areas in the country can be considered unsafe due to terrorist activities and the conflict with Yemen.
So avoid the following places:
Saudi-Yemen border; Cities of Abha, Jizan, Najran, and Khamis Mushayt; Abha airport; Qatif in the Eastern Province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah.
Crime rates are relatively low, and the major cities are considered safe.
However, you must understand that it is an Islamic country, and everyone follows Sharia law.
But, the government has made many recent reforms, giving citizens more freedom. Such as the reforms in women's rights, working rights, criminal justice, etc.
Also why, the government has launched the Saudi eVisa to boost tourism in the country.
If you want to stay out of trouble in a foreign country, I suggest you follow all the rules.
Hence, I laid out some rules for you to remember:
If you find yourself in any trouble, you must contact the Indian Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulate General of Indians in Jeddah.
India is hot, and so is Saudi Arabia, if not hotter.
The weather in Saudi Arabia can be quite extreme during the summer months. The Summer starts in April when the temperature is bearable until October when it starts cooling down.
So I think the best time to travel to Saudi Arabia is during the Winter months. Winter starts around November and ends after February making it perfect for holidays.
Saudi Arabia has many hidden gems, including UNESCO World Heritage sites. Saudi Tourism Authority website has many activities and tours you can book or check out.
Some of the top destinations in Saudi Arabia that you must have on your bucket list are:
Mecca, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Abha, Khobar, Diriyah, Jizan, Al Bahah, Jubail, Dhahran, Al Balad, Hofuf, and Qatif
As a fellow woman, I can know how traveling solo gives you a sense of freedom. And I also know that it has its own challenges.
So I decided to add not only tips but also a few other things that have changed in KSA to be mindful of:
Packing for any trip is difficult if you do not know what to expect. So I have made it easier for you by shortening the list of items you should consider carrying:
1. Important Documents: This should always be at the top of your list. Remember to carry the necessary documents such as passport, ID, travel itinerary, accommodation proof, etc.
2. Money: Though it is easier to pay for your travel expenses beforehand, there could be unexpected expenses, so plan accordingly. You can use international credit cards but also carry some cash that you can use when visiting local markets or small shops.
3. Self-care Items: Do not forget to pack some high SPF sunscreen, medication, toiletries, and cosmetic items that you use every day.
4. Appropriate Wardrobe: Make sure you pack for the weather as KSA can get very hot in certain months. Pack loose clothes for the day and pack a cardigan or jacket for nighttime when it can get chilly. Do not forget some comfortable shoes.
5. Prayer Essential: If you are planning to visit religious sites, I suggest you pack clothes that cover your body. You can also pack some head coverings such as scarves. Also, pack your prayer mat, holy Quran, and the Tasbeeh beads.
Enjoy Your Trip!
And that is everything! So, if you're planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, now you have all the information you need to start planning your trip!
Good luck, and enjoy your trip!
Indian citizens do not need a sponsor when applying for a Saudi Arabia tourist visa in India.
Yes, for a family/personal visit visa you need a sponsor in Saudi. If you have friends or family members who wish to invite you; then they can sponsor you and apply for your visit visa online on the MOFA platform.
Yes, Indian citizens can extend their Saudi visit visa on the Online Platform. However, remember that this is only possible for a family visit visa
The duration of stay of Saudi Arabian visa holders depends on the visa type, purpose of visit, and validity of their visa. In case you overstay your visa, you will need to pay overstay fees of SAR 100 for each day you overstayed. In extreme cases, you could be penalized, jailed, deported, and never allowed into the country.
Suppose your Saudi visa application is denied in India. In that case, you can go through the process and pay the visa fees again. However, this does not guarantee visa approval.
There are several reasons why a Saudi visa can be denied, such as:
You must check out the blog to find out the reasons for rejection.
You will need a return flight ticket if you are applying for a Saudi tourist visa for Indians.
Indian citizens can only stay in Saudi Arabia for the validity of their visa. A Saudi visa for Indians is generally valid for a single entry or multiple entries allowing them to stay for 30 or 90 days, respectively.
Indian citizens that meet the eligibility criteria can apply for a Saudi visa on arrival at the port of entry.
Suppose you are visiting a friend in Saudi Arabia. In that case, they can provide you with an invitation letter along with a copy of their ID or visa. If they cover any costs, they must also provide you with bank statements with proof of sufficient funds.
You can use your Saudi visa for tourism purposes or to visit friends on family residing in the country. You can also use the visa for Umrah; however, it cannot be used for Hajj, and you must apply for a relevant visa.
The visa process can take up to 3 weeks in certain cases; hence you should apply for your visa 30 days in advance.
This blog has provided you with all the information that you will need to apply for a Saudi visit visa. In addition to the information that you have been provided, we have also provided you with a few tips and tricks that will help you complete your visa application in no time.
This article will help you understand the Saudi Arabian visa photo size requirements and all photo-related requirements.
In this guide, we provide you with all the information you must have to apply for the Saudi Arabia Work Visa or Work Visa For Saudi Arabia as an Indian national.
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