Saudi Arabia is an economic and tourism giant in the Middle East, attracting millions of tourists and expatriates. It already surpassed 100 million tourists — seven years before its original target year. Last year, the country welcomed over 27 million international and 79 million domestic tourists. If you’re from the UAE and looking forward to visiting this neighboring country, this article serves as a guide to getting a Saudi visa for UAE residents.
Things to know about Saudi visa for UAE-based expats
While UAE nationals don’t need a visa to visit Saudi, expats living and working in the Emirates do.
Like others in the GCC, if you’re an expatriate holding a residence visa in the UAE, you can apply for an e-Visa that will grant you a stay of up to 90 days.
To be eligible for the visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You are at least 18 years old
- You have a residency document valid for at least three months
- You have a passport valid for at least six months
As part of the requirements when completing your application process, you must also have the following:
- Proof of medical insurance
- Proof of accommodation
- Flight tickets
- A passport photo with a white background
How to apply for a Saudi visa as a UAE resident
In December last year, Saudi Arabia launched a beta version of its unified visa application platform. It involves over 30 ministries and organizations that handle various types of visa applications (e.g., tourism, Hajj, Umrah, education). The website also caters to those applying for a Saudi visa for UAE residents.
If you’re one of those, follow these steps to get that visa without the hassle.
Step 1: Visit the visa application website
Visit the visa application portal. Then, from the “Choose a reason” drop-down menu, select “Visit.” When asked about the purpose of your visit, select “Tourism” from the drop-down menu. Next, enter your nationality in the field below.
Then, click on the “Show Eligible Visas” button. You will be presented with two options — Transit Visa and e-Visa. Choose e-Visa and click on the “Apply Now” button found in that section.
Step 2: Start filling out the application form
You will be redirected to an online form you must fill out. Based on the information you entered in Step 1, some fields will be automatically filled. Proceed with providing other required information, such as the expected date of arrival, country of residence, and the embassy nearest to you (which can be Abu Dhabi or Dubai).
After ensuring every detail is correct, click on the “Next” button.
Step 3: Provide your personal information
On the next page, you need to input personal information, including your name (as how it’s written on your passport), mobile number, address, gender, marital status, occupation title and birth date.
Note that there are optional fields that you can choose to fill in (e.g., What do you plan on doing during your stay?).
Then, upload your passport photo and a copy of your passport. You must also input passport details, such as passport number, place of birth, issue and expiry date and country of issuance. Click on the “Next” button.
Step 4: Input your residency details
Upload a copy of your UAE residency visa and provide the residency details required. These include your visa number, expiration date, the emirate you’re located and your address.
Before clicking on “Next,” you must agree to the terms and conditions.
Step 5: Select your medical insurance provider
The page will present some questions about your medical insurance coverage. You can respond by choosing “Yes” or “No.” After clicking on “Next,” you will be asked to select a medical insurance provider in Saudi.
Step 6: Pay the fee
Review all the information you provided. Once you ensure that everything is accurate, pay the indicated visa fee (about SAR535) with a debit or credit card. The processing time takes three to four days. If you’re approved, you will receive an email containing your e-Visa.
Read: A UAE resident? Here’s how to apply for an Oman visa
Final thoughts
While it’s easy to apply for a Saudi visa for UAE residents, you must double-check that the details you provided are error-free. Incorrect information may cause your application to be rejected. To track your application, keep a record of your reference number. You will need to input it on the visa application website.
Keep in mind that a single entry visa is valid for 3 months with a maximum stay of 90 days. Meanwhile, a multiple-entry visa is valid for one year with a maximum stay of 90 days. Once in Saudi, ensure you comply with all the terms and conditions of your visa for a hassle-free stay.
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