Can Qatar residents travel to Saudi? Been wanting to visit Saudi Arabia? The introduction of the tourist visa and Visit Saudi initiative has gotten many curious to know how to get across to the Kingdom.

The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team is here to help ease your Saudi travel queries with a guide to the various visas and ways to access Saudi Arabia.

Note:

• Please check the official Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia website before you make any travel plans and call the relevant entity or authority to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

Visa Types

• E-Visa/ Visa on Arrival - also known as the Tourist Visa
  
• Consulate Visa/ Embassy Visa
• Pilgrim Visa

Note: Citizens of Qatar do not have to apply for visas to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

E-Visa - GCC Residents

• Residents in Qatar can now avail of an E-Visa or a Visa on Arrival as a tourist to visit the country via their online application system here.
• The E-Visa application process is entirely online and once approved can be received via email.

Visa Fees:

• E-Visa: QR 290.59 (SAR 300) - excluding medical insurance

Prices of medical insurance will be subject to the insurance company chosen.

Conditions:

• The applicant should be holding an eligible occupation as listed on the portal.
• Applicant should have a valid GCC residency for at least 3 months.
• When applying, the passport validity must be at least 6 months at the time of entering Saudi Arabia.
• For children under 18, parents must apply first
• Refund in case of rejection is not possible. Visa fees are non-refundable.
• Overstay fees: QR 97.15 (SAR 100) for each day of overstay when the visa expires without leaving Saudi Arabia.

Documents required:

Applying for a visa for Saudi Arabia online is simple. Travellers need just 3 items to complete the Saudi Arabia E-Visa application form:

• Passport copy
  
• Passport-size photograph
  
• Debit or credit card
  

Documents not required to obtain a visa:

• Return ticket
• Booking accommodation (only address is required)

Application procedure:

• Entry of required personal information
  
• Upload of required documents
• Payment of eVisa fees

As per the Visit Saudi website, a duration of 5 to 30 minutes is taken to issue an E-Visa in most cases.

Validity & Length of stay of the visas:

The validity and length of stay are subject to if the visa issued is a single-entry visa or a multiple-entry visa; which only be decided by the ministry on a case-to-case basis.

• Validity: Multiple-entry - 1 year | Single-entry - 3 months
• Length of stay: Multiple-entry - 90 days | Single-entry - 30 days

Visa on Arrival

One may avail of the 12-month on-arrival visa in the following circumstances:

• US, UK, EU permanent residents
• US, UK, Schengen visa holders - Passport must indicate entry to any of the countries and issued visa should be business or tourist

Visa on arrival clauses:

• Passport validity of at least 6 months.

Visa Fees:

• E-Visa: QR 290.59 (SAR 300) - excluding medical insurance

Prices of medical insurance will be subject to the insurance company chosen.

Pilgrim Visa

Those who wish to travel to Makkah for the purpose of Hajj will be required to apply for a specific Hajj Pilgrim Visa.

FAQs

Can you perform pilgrimage with a tourist visa?

Tourist visa holders can visit all cities and; therefore, can perform Umrah. However, this will not be applicable during the Hajj season.

Please note that the Hajj quota from Qatar for the year 2022 will only accommodate citizens.

Which cities can you enter with a tourist visa?

The tourist visa can be used to access all cities in Saudi Arabia. However, from 24 June till 20 July 2022 tourist visas will be stopped for Makkah and Madinah to accommodate Hajj pilgrims.

How to enter Saudi Arabia by road?

With either of the visas, based on your eligibility you can cross the border to Saudi Arabia. A valid Qatar driving license or International driving license will be required.

Which Saudi Arabian airports can be accessed with a tourist visa?

• King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Riyadh
• King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), Jeddah
• King Fahd International Airport (DMM) Dammam
• Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED), Medina

What are the COVID-19 regulations for travel to Saudi Arabia?

• PCR tests are not required anymore.
• Tawakkalna - COVID tracking application will be required upon arrival.

RELATED:

• How to apply for the Saudi eVisa as a GCC resident
• Qatar residents can now apply for eVisa to Saudi Arabia
• Vaccinations required for Hajj and Umrah available free of charge at PHCC health centers
  
• Preparations for Hajj 2022 season completed
• All you need to know about going for Umrah from Qatar

Source: Visit Saudi & Saudia

Did you know of any of these Saudi travel requirements? Do you have more questions? Do let us know in the comments below. Do share this article - it keeps us going!

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Fareeha Imtiaz

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