Want to travel out of the USA to Saudi Arabia? Have your doubts about whether you need a visa? And, a Visa is needed by US citizens to visit Saudi Arabia. You may enter this country as a tourist, business traveller, pilgrim, or one on a job, and a proper visa will be required.
My name is Faisal Al-Harbi, and I have helped my clients visiting Saudi Arabia from the USA. This is a process that I have passed once before, and thus I am well aware of what you will need in order to guide you through the same without any confusion and time wastage.
In this blog, I explain the types of visas to the USA provided to the citizens of the USA, the procedure of getting the most popular Saudi eVisa, the list of what you will have to take with you, the time of issuance, and the costs.
Type of Visa
1. Tourist eVisa
Whether it is a holiday, to see a friend or a relative, or even to do the Umrah (but not during the Hajj period), then the Saudi eVisa is the easiest and fastest way to solve the problem.
Best for:
- Tourism and sightseeing
- Going to friends or relatives
- Performing Umrah (non-Hajj season)
How to apply:
Through officiating Saudi eVisa portal: Saudi eVisa portal
Visa Validity:
- 1 year validity
- Multiple entries allowed
- Stay up to 90 days per visit
I used this visa when I flew into Riyadh and Mecca to perform Umrah. It was fast, firm, and it took me approximately one hour on the net.
2. Visa on Arrival for US Citizens
US people, too, are entitled under this system to obtain a visa on arrival at the particular airports and ports of entry within Saudi Arabia.
Best for:
- Tourism
- Business trips
- Umrah outside of Hajj
What you need to know:
- This is in case you are traveling by using some airlines and airports
- At the port of entry, payment is to be made.
- Complete your application online before you go to the airport, and you will not waste your time.
3. Business Visa
When you plan to look around business opportunities in Saudi Arabia, have meetings, and or attend a conference, a business visa is what will be needed by you.
Issued for:
- Commercial purposes
- Client meetings
- Industry exhibitions or seminars
How to apply:
- Through the Saudi Embassy or consulate
- Enabled frequently by your host firm or your travel agency
This type of visa usually requires an invitation letter from a Saudi business institution. Be organized with that in advance.
4. Work Visa
Considering working or going to Saudi Arabia to be employed? Then you will need a working visa. It is not one that you can ask yourself.
Required for:
- Full-time employment
- Long-term contractual work
How to apply:
- Co- sponsored by a Saudi employer
- The employer will start the process through the Saudi Ministry of Labor.
- It will have to undergo some medical and legal clearances
Practically, in case it is a job, your employer would take you through the process.
5. Hajj Visa
In case of Hajj, you are to apply for a particular Hajj visa that is applicable only during the official Hajj period and through representatives.
Important things to know:
- None of the tourist or business visas covers it
- Need to be booked with a US-based Hajj travel agency that is certified
- They have special travel package services for pilgrims
- Needs an eligibility proof and an authentic US passport
How to Apply for a Saudi eVisa as a US Citizen
Step 1: Go to the Official eVisa Portal
I went to the official Saudi eVisa website:
The place is the authorized government place to apply online by the US citizens. Be alert of the platform.
Step 2: Create an Account
- It is possible to register through the use of your email address.
- You have to verify your account through your email.
They will guide you through the installation process rather easily. Its interface is very friendly.
Step 3: Fill out the Application Form
This is not difficult, and it would only take up to 10 minutes.
You’ll need to:
- Sign up for a copy of the bio site of your passport
- Put in your personal information, information about the trip, and the reason for your visit
- In the section of reason, you must tick that you are traveling as a Tourist.
Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee
This amounts to about 140 USD, inclusive of the credentials of the health insurance,e which is required and will cover you when you are in Saudi Arabia.
Payment is accepted via:
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
You will automatically process your application once you have made the payment.
Read Also: 10-Year Saudi Visa for US Citizens: Apply Online Now
Step 5: Wait for Approval
In most cases:
- You will require 5 to 30 minutes to obtain your visa
- In some cases, it may take up to 24 hours of processing
I received mine in just under 15 minutes!
Step 6: Get Your eVisa in Your Email
Once the approval is done, an email will be sent to inform you about your visa in PDF.
What to do:
- Print out a copy and put it away in your travel folder.
- All you can do is save it on your phone as an electronically stored copy.
Visa Requirements for US Citizens
Some of the requirements you should consider when you apply for your visa in Saudi Arabia include:
Valid US Passport
Minimum validity is 6 months or more, which means that it should be valid at the point of entry.
Passport-Style Photo
The latest white background color photo.
Credit or Debit Card
This will be mandatory in ensuring that you pay the visa and insurance online.
Email Address
You can communicate with all and update your status as well as get your eVisa through it.
Travel Insurance
Inclusion in the tourist visa package.
Can You Perform Umrah with a Tourist Visa?
Yes, it is among the greatest advantages of a tourist eVisa.
Umrah is not a pilgrimage that should be done during the Hajj period; it can, however, be done at any time of year. I have tried it on my travels, and it was perfect.
But for Hajj, you need a special Hajj visa.
Can You Extend the Tourist Visa?
The eVisa cannot be issued beyond 90 days per stay. Even then, you are not obligated to stay in Saudi Arabia but can travel back since it is a multiple-entry visa of only 1 year.
In case you will stay longer, consider being issued a different kind of visa, including a business visa or a work visa.
Is Visa on Arrival a Good Option?
In my opinion, not always.
Now, the reason I like the online eVisa:
- You do not have to wait in the lines at an airport
- You hold your documents even before your travel
Just in case you do not have time or you think it is too late to travel, then the visa-on-arrival option will be useful.
Read Also: Check Saudi Family Visit Visa Status (4 Fast Ways)
Final words
When one is a US citizen, there is no longer a need for complicated issues in visiting Saudi Arabia. So all the required information has been made known to you so that you can make the process easy and without stress. On vacation, Umrah, or business? Check in advance what type of visas you can enter so as not to lose time, money, and find a solution to a problem in an extreme situation in the end.
In case you are serious about taking your trip, you should not procrastinate. Apply in the same sequence of business and make your paperwork, and have a success story. It is all worth a single click, as by a single click, you are catching yourself in your Saudi adventure.
