Planning to travel to Saudi Arabia by road sometime soon? Wondering what the visa procedures are like, what documents are needed, and what the cost of the application is?
The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team is here to tell you all about it to ensure you have a seamless journey and experience.
It is recommended to confirm your e-visa eligibility via the 'Visa Requirements' page on the Visit Saudi website.
The e-visa can be used if you are visiting Saudi Arabia as a tourist, for events or even for Umrah; however, it cannot be used for the purpose of a Hajj pilgrimage.
The e-visa will cost QR 290.59 (SAR 300) - excluding the medical insurance.
The price of medical insurance starts at QR 36.5 ($10); however, may vary based on the insurance company chosen.
Visa application via Tasheer Visa Center in Doha:
If you would like to get assistance with the visa application process, you can visit the Tasheer Visa Center at Ezdan Mall Gharaffa.
You will have to submit the following documents at the center for all visa types:
Original passport.
Passport with at least 6 months validity except for American nationality.
The native country of the passport must not have any conditions which prevent the passport holder from entering Saudi Arabia.
A recent photograph with a white background.
A copy of the Qatar ID (Qatar Identification Document) which is valid for a period of no less than 3 months.
Visa application procedure from the visa center:
You can get an appointment prior to visiting the center using their online portal or you could also visit the center directly to get an appointment.
You must visit the visa center on the given appointment date to submit your documents.
Once your documents are submitted, you will need to complete the biometrics procedure.
The application process should take only 1 day to complete and receive your passport back, which you will have to collect from the visa center (subject to change based on any varying circumstances).
Visa fees at Tasheer Visa Center in Doha:
The visa fees are subjective to the visa type; however, a tourist visa is approximately QR 522 (inclusive of the visa cost, the service fees for Tasheer, the medical fees & Enjaz fees). If you are to avail of the lounge service at the visa centre, there will be an additional charge of QR 335.
Please note the visa center only accepts cash payments.
What vehicle documents are required when travelling to Saudi Arabia via road from Qatar?
Image credit: Shutterstock
Vehicle registration:
If the car you are travelling in is registered under your own name, you only need to ensure you have your Vehicle Registration (Istimara) with you.
If the vehicle is not your own, you will be required to provide an authorization letter from the vehicle owner.
Vehicle insurance:
Vehicle insurance will be required. This can be purchased at the Abu Samra Border. The Abu Samra border is Qatar's land border that is located on Salwa Road. It serves as a direct entry point to Saudi Arabia by road.
You can also purchase this insurance online prior to your travel using the designated 'Najm Manafith' application - Android | iOS.
The price of the vehicle insurance starts at QR 116.48 (SAR 120) for 1 week.
The price of vehicle insurance varies based on the duration of stay and also on the type of vehicle, such as private, taxi, truck, motorcycle or bus.
What is the procedure at the Abu Samra border?
Image Credit: Ali Abu Walid Al Shammari (Google)
Exiting Qatar
Upon arriving at the Abu Samra border, you will approach the first booth, which will be Qatar's immigration, where you will be required to provide your personal documents to be validated.
You will then need to drive a short distance before you reach the next stop, which will be the Saudi Arabian immigration/customs where you will be required to complete the biometrics procedure (fingerprints & eye scan) and capture your photo. For the biometrics procedure, you will need to step out of your car and go into the immigration building. (Note: There are segregated buildings for men and women; also ensure that you are standing in the right queue, as there are separate queues for GCC citizens & GCC residents).
This biometrics procedure is a one-time requirement only on your first visit to Saudi Arabia.
If you have applied for your visa from the Tasheer Visa Center, you will not be required to do your biometrics again, as it would have already been done in the visa application process.
Once your biometrics procedure is complete, your personal documents will be validated, and your visa documents will be checked by the immigration officers.
Upon completion, you will proceed to the next stop, which is also a small drive distance, where your vehicle documents will be checked and validated. If you have not purchased your vehicle insurance, you will be able to at this point (Note: you must hold on to your vehicle insurance receipt as you will need to show this during your return to Qatar).
Travel tip: If you are entering Saudi Arabia for the first time and need to do your biometrics, you could travel to the Abu Samra border a day or two in advance to complete your biometrics procedure ahead of your travel to avoid getting caught in a long queue and crowd on busy days.
Re-entering Qatar
Multiple routes can be taken from Saudi Arabia when returning to Qatar based on the city you are coming from.
One of the roads you can use is the newly opened Al Uqayr-Salwa coastal road, which brings you from Dammam to the Qatar border within a duration of approximately 2 hours (timings may vary).
Note: Based on confirmation from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Transport, this road will be officially opened on 25 February 2024.
If you are a Qatari resident or citizen entering back into Qatar from Saudi Arabia via the Abu Samra border, the only procedure you will have is the scanning of your Qatar ID and passport.
If you are a visitor to Qatar and on any of the visitor visa types, you will be required to go through the immigration procedure at the Abu Samra border.
Other information
Image Credit: Mami Abdullah (Google)
Travel time:
The travel from Doha to the Abu Samra border is approximately 40 minutes to 1 hour
It can take up to 2 - 5 hours to cross the border based on queue lengths for immigration procedures - which is subject to it being a weekend/weekday or even time of the day
Border procedure duration tend to be longer during weekends and during afternoon hours
Currency: Payments made at the Abu Samra border can done using Qatari credit/debit cards or Qatari Riyals.
Fuel cost: Fuel cost for the whole journey can range between QR 150 - QR 200 (subjective to the vehicle).
Petrol stations:
AWoqod petrol station can be found approximately 1 km before reaching the Abu Samra border. This is the last fuel station before reaching the border. You will also be able to get some refreshments for yourself here as there are eateries. The station has designated prayer rooms as well as toilets.
Once you have crossed the Abu Samra border and entered Saudi Arabia, you should be able to find a petrol station approximately 15 kilometres away.
Cover image source: Mehr News Agency Sources: Visit Saudi/Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ Tasheer Visa Center
Are you planning to visit Saudi Arabia by road? Was this information useful for you? Do let us know in the comments below. Do share this article - it keeps us going!
If you have anything you want to share with us, send us an e-mail at [email protected]!
Send a tip
Want to send a tip? Drop us an e-mail at [email protected], anonymity is guaranteed!
Welcome to
You have successfully registered your account!
Please confirm your e-mail address by clicking on the URL sent to you.The e-mail usually arrives in 5-10 minutes. If you still haven't received the e-mail, press here to re-send.
SUBMIT SUCCESSFUL!
How ajeeb was that!? Thanks for contributing to our community! Your post will appear after we take a quick look!
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
