Saudi Arabia has recently emerged as a tourist and family destination under Vision 2030. The kingdom is preserving the old forts and monuments, as well as investing in the latest projects, such as the city of NEOM and the Red Sea Resort. This has made Saudi Arabia a mix of heritage, hospitality, and modern life, which makes your visit truly meaningful.
The knowledge of a visa and how to apply for it is essential to save time, reduce delays, and provide you with peace of mind. Islamic Travel provides experienced guidance along with their Umrah packages UK and simplifies the complicated process visa application process so that you can have a genuinely stress-free trip.
Choosing the right Visa type
Starting your travel journey is truly life-changing and requires a lot of planning. It makes the visa application quite easy to navigate when you are fully aware of the purpose of your trip. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gives distinct options depending on whether you are travelling with family or want to see the country’s cultural and modern attractions.
Family Visit Visa
A Saudi family visa is for Saudi residents or citizens who want to invite close relatives, spouses, children, parents, or siblings for a temporary visit. These family visit visas are ideal for family reunions and short stays with loved ones.
- These Umrah visas are valid for a limited duration and usually last up to 90 days per visit, with the possible extensions
- These Umrah visas require an official invitation from a Saudi resident or citizen.
- These Umrah visas are best for family gatherings, short visits, or attending private events.
Tourist Visas
A tourist visa allows visitors to see the country’s cultural sites, historical landmarks, and modern attractions. You do not need a sponsor when living in Saudi Arabia. This makes it suitable for the travellers who want to explore the kingdom for leisure purposes. A tourist visa allows you to explore the country’s growing tourism offerings.
- A tourist visa is available as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa for up to one year.
- You can apply for a tourist visa online or offline and receive the approval within a few working days.
- The tourist visa is usually ideal for sightseeing, quick business networking, or exploring Saudi Arabia’s evolving lifestyle scene.
Application process of Saudi Visa
Applying for an Umrah visa can be quite complicated, but it must be submitted to apply for a Saudi visa from UK. Millions of Muslims submit their applications to avail a Saudi Umrah visa from UK to perform the holy pilgrimage of Umrah. As Saudi Arabia is emerging as a tourist destination, the number of Saudi visa applications is also increasing. The simplified steps to apply for the Saudi visa are mentioned in the guide as follows.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
The first step of an Umrah visa application is to check whether you or your family member qualifies for a family visit visa or for a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia.
- If you are applying for a family visit visa, then the applicant must be your relative living in Saudi Arabia, and they must hold a valid residency permit. They are supposed to apply online via the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) portals.
- If you are applying for a tourist visa, you are eligible to obtain an eVisa. It is recommended to check the eligibility before booking the flights and accommodation.
Step 2: Gather all required documents
You can face several delays due to the missing or incorrect paperwork. Preparing everything at once can often end up being quite overwhelming. Given below is the list of documents that you must prepare to apply for both family and tourist visas.
For a family visit visa
You must prepare the following documents for the family visit visa.
- Valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity
- Passport-size photos
- Copy of the host’s Saudi ID
- MOFA-approved invitation letter
- Relationship proof with the host (birth/marriage certificates)
For a tourist visa
The tourists are meant to submit the following documents to apply for the tourist visa.
- Passport copy
- Passport photo
- Accommodation and flight bookings (optional)
Step 3: Application Submission
After collecting the documents according to the above-mentioned lists, you must apply for the family or tourist visa through the correct channels.
Family visit visa application
The host residing in Saudi Arabia is meant to file an application online using the MOFA portal. After the approval, you’ll get an official invitation letter with a reference number. This number is used to issue the visa through the Saudi embassy or an authorized visa centre.
Tourist visa application
The applicants may apply directly online or upload the documents and pay fees electronically. The typical processing takes a few working days for approval.
Step 4: Pay the Visa Fees
Once the application is submitted, you’ll be asked to pay the applicable visa fees. The fees usually vary by visa type and duration. If you are applying for the multiple-entry family visit visa, the fees may differ because it permits several visits during a set period option and often goes up to a year.
Step 5: Receive and verify your visa
After the approval, you will get either an electronic visa copy or a sticker, depending on where the application is lodged. Before travelling, always double-check the following details. Checking the following details is essential, and even small errors can create problems on arrival in Saudi Arabia.
- Name and Passport details
- Visa validity and type
- Duration of stay and entry conditions
Reuniting with your loved ones or discovering Saudi Arabia should be rewarding and not stressful. When you are aware of the process of applying for a family or tourist visa correctly, the journey will become simpler and more meaningful.
The Easiest Way to Get a Saudi Visa for Your Next Trip