Saudi Arabia visa for Indians

A Saudi Arabian visa is a legally-backed document that authorises foreign nationals and residents of other countries to enter Saudi Arabia. A visa allows not only hassle-free entry into a country but free movement and no restrictions on travel and stays for a pre-specified number of days. A visa is compulsory for everyone, including those Indian nationals travelling to Saudi Arabia for any purpose. The most common reasons for visiting Saudi Arabia are Hajj (holy pilgrimage of Muslims), Umrah (another holy visit), family visits, tourism, employment, and business, among others. Even those transiting from the international transit areas of the Saudi airport and staying for over 12 hours need a transit visa. You can check out the official Saudi Arabian website MOFA to understand the Saudi Arabia visa types for Indians and other details.

Apart from a visa, you must also consider buying an active travel insurance policy. Overseas travel insurance is not a mandatory document but is wise to have with you for the entire duration of your trip. If you need an idea of how much travel insurance plans for Saudi Arabia cost, you can use our travel insurance calculator online and select a suitable travel insurance plan for yourself, with premiums starting at prices as low as ₹40.82 per day.

A Saudi visa allows you to enter the country more conveniently and eases movement across the cities within. A Saudi visa is available for all types of tourists and travellers and has the following features:

• Saudi Arabia tourist visa for Indians, and Saudi visit visa for Indians are the most popular visa categories because of the massive influx to Mecca and Madina – two of Saudi’s most popular cities.
• As an Indian tourist or transit passenger, you can avail of a Saudi tourist visa for Indians or a transit visa as applicable.
• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) also has a visa-on-arrival facility. Unfortunately, India is not included in the list of 50 countries that the KSA allows using this facility, so there is no Saudi visa on arrival for Indians.
• The KSA has over 15+ Saudi Arabia visa types for Indians
• An active travel insurance plan is not mandatory in Saudi Arabia but is highly advisable

There are around 15 Saudi Arabia visa types for Indians and the Saudi Arabia visa price for Indians depends on the visa type.

• Government Visa – This visa is a type of tourist visa that allows multiple entries in a year with an invitation from the Saudi Arabian Government Department or Institution
• Diplomatic & Official Visas – This visa is for diplomats and business officials who are visiting Saudi for an official purpose.
• Diplomatic Missions & Organizations – This visa is for diplomats, country heads, high-ranking public officers, and their families, among others, issued for strategic missions/organisations.
• Tourist Visa – This visa is for tourism.
• Business Visit Visa – This visa is for business owners and employees visiting Saudi for business purposes.
• Employment Visa – This visa is for people employed in professional services, businesses, or corporate employment.
• Residence Visa – This visa is for permanent or temporary residency in Saudi.
• Premium Residency Visa – This visa is for expats who want to live, work and own business and property in the KSA without the need for a sponsor.
• Newborn Visa – This visa is for newborns with resident parents in Saudi.
• Extension of Exit/ Re-Entry Visa – This visa is for extending your stay in Saudi or allowing for re-entry immediately after the expiry of the Saudi visa.
• Family Visit Visa – This visa is for tourists who want to visit their resident family members in Saudi.
• Companion Visa – This visa is for persons accompanying another visa application, such as a spouse or someone below the age of 18 years.
• Personal Visit Visa – This visa is for those wanting to visit Saudi temporarily.
• Hajj and Umrah Visa – This visa is for those wanting to do Hajj and Umrah in Saudi.
• Student Visa – This visa allows international students to study or train in Saudi.

Most Saudi Arabia visas for Indians are valid for up to 1 year, but the maximum duration one can stay in the country is 90 days. However, the KSA allows multiple entries within the year.

While Saudi Arabia does have an E-visa service, India is not included in its list of eligible countries. Hence, if you want to travel to Saudi Arabia, you will need to apply for a Saudi visa at your nearest Embassy, consulate or through recognised visa application centres (VACs) via Tasheer.

If you choose the offline option, go in person to the Saudi Arabia embassy. India has only two Saudi embassies – the Consulate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Mumbai city and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Delhi. So, if you live elsewhere, you will need to visit a VAC instead. Here is how to apply for a Saudi Arabia visa offline.

• Visit either embassy/ consulate and for the appropriate visa application form. We suggest booking an appointment through Tasheer’s website first if you are visiting a VAC.
• Read the application form in detail and fill out the requested details correctly.
• Attach copies of the relevant documents after filling out the form.
• Pay the designated fees for the visa while submitting the form.

Even if you are travelling through Saudi or waiting for a few hours in transit at the airport for a connecting flight, you will need a visa (transit visa). However, you should know the category of visa you fall under and the intended purpose of travel. For instance, if you are an Indian student wanting to study in the KSA, you cannot apply for the Saudi Arabia tourist visa for Indians. Or, if you are only going for a brief period for Hajj/ umrah, you will have to apply under the specific visa intended for that purpose. So, let us discuss the eligibility, required documents and other information about Saudi visas for Indians.

• Eligibility criteria for Saudi visa for Indians

The eligibility criteria for Saudi Arabia visa for Indians depend on the type of visa chosen. Here is a general idea of the applicable eligibility criteria:

• You must have a valid Indian passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of entering Saudi Arabia.

• You should be above 18 years

• You must have a spouse/ companion if you are a solo woman traveller

• If you are under the age of 18 years, you have to be accompanied by a guardian

• You must have health insurance which will be valid in Saudi Arabia.

• You must have proof of stay or accommodation.

• You must have the right set of documents depending on your visa and specify your intent correctly in the cover letter.

• You must have a clear invitation letter from your business or employment office. You must also show the company registration proof.

• You must have a recommendation letter from the Chamber of Commerce/ Indian Merchant Chamber of Commerce in India.

• Your photographs must be per the requirements of the KSA – like your photo on a white background, neutral face, no headgear (except for religious reasons), no glasses covering the eyes except prescription eyewear, and so on.

• Documents required to apply for a Saudi Arabia visa for Indians

The documents required for a KSA visa depend on the Saudi Arabia visa types for Indians. Here is the list:

• A valid passport of India with at least six months left to expiry and two blank pages

• The appropriate visa application form is duly filled with the correct details

• 2 passport-sized photographs as per the set requirements

• A cover letter stating the intent of purpose

• Bank account and income statement proof to show that you can sustain yourself/ family members on the trip

• Company registration proof, invitation letter from the sponsor, and recommendation letter if it is a business or employment-related visit

• Medical certificate approved and certified by an embassy-approved doctor/ medical professional

• Health insurance documents, issued through the embassy itself

• Education and work experience-related documents of the past two years to show proof of income.

• Confirmed airline tickets and receipt of stay (this is variable)

• Marriage certificates for married couple travellers and birth certificates for their children

• Receipt of visa fee and processing fee

• Any other documents specified by the Saudi embassy or your agent

• Saudi Arabia's post-COVID mandatory documents

During the COVID-19 pandemic, no one was allowed to enter Saudi Arabia for any purpose except in cases of emergencies. However, the KSA lifted restrictions and relaxed COVID-19 travel rules by ending the ban on travel from December 2021 onwards. Many countries were allowed to travel to Saudi, including south Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The mandatory quarantine of 14 days was also lifted. However, all travellers still have to show a valid RTPCR test certificate. Here are some other mandates for getting a Saudi Arabia visa for Indians:

• Travellers must carry a PCR test valid for 72 hours before the date of arrival.

• Travellers must have proof of vaccination (both doses and booster doses if applicable) with their vaccination report. The vaccine must be on the list of KSA-approved vaccines – Moderna, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, and Johnson and Johnson. Since India had only Covaxin and Covishield vaccines, Indian travellers will have to quarantine for 5 days and test negative on the 4/5th day.

• Travellers must also register on the KSA platform Qdoom 72 hours before the flight departure and enter their details.

• Even travellers coming from other nationalities into Saudi Arabia will need to spend five days in institutional quarantine. They, too, will have to take tests on the first and fifth days of their quarantine period.

• Reasons your Saudi Arabia visa can get rejected

It is crucial to apply for your Saudi visa with utmost care and precision. Read all the rules and guidelines beforehand and the most common reasons for rejection to avoid making the same mistakes. Always consult your visa agent to ensure you submit an error-free visa and comply with every rule. Here are the reasons your Saudi visa can get rejected –

• Incorrect application details:

This is one of the most underestimated yet common reasons why visas get rejected. If you have incorrect details as seemingly tiny and unintentional as spelling errors, like writing 0 where an O is necessary, your Saudi visa can get rejected. Always fill out the visa form carefully. Look closely and double-check details like your name, date of birth, address, passport number, and so on. Even incomplete applications and damaged passports can cause visa rejection.

• Staying beyond the visa expiration date:

If you have visited the UAE or KSA before and overstay your visit beyond the visa expiry date, you might get a blemish on your future/ next visa. You might have to pay fines and undergo punishment per the legal rules of the country. This can get recorded in your application history and cause visa rejection. It can also cause other consequences like immigration ban, blacklisting, deportation, and imprisonment.

• Single Woman Traveller:

A lot of solo travellers can go to Saudi, but the rules are strict and different when it comes to women. It is advisable for female travellers to go with their parents, a male relative, their spouse, or legal guardian, especially if they are below 25 years of age. Your visa might get rejected on this basis.

• Prior criminal offences:

If you have a criminal record in India or anywhere else, your visa will most likely be rejected. Rules regarding crimes and offences are very strict in Gulf countries, especially UAE and Saudi Arabia.

• Prior unused visa:

Your visa application can also get rejected if you have previously applied for a Saudi visa but did not come to the country within the specified window. In such cases, you have to contact the immigration department and get your name cleared as soon as possible so that your future visa applications do not get rejected.

• Unskilled labour:

If your profession listed in the passport comes under the category of unskilled labour, and you have applied for a business or work-related visa, your visa can get rejected. If you have an insufficient bank balance and the visa authorities feel you cannot sustain yourself during a visit, your Saudi tourist visa for Indians can get rejected.

Travel Insurance for Saudi Arabia visa

A travel insurance plan is not mandatory for visiting Saudi Arabia, but it is advisable to get one. International trips, however fun and exciting, can always get unpredictable. You could get exposed to some unforeseen emergency that needs financial support. Here is where overseas travel insurance, especially the one from Tata AIG insurance, can help. It can:

• Provide local journey assistance
• Loss of passport
• Cancellation of hotel bookings under unavoidable circumstances
• Cover costs for loss or delay of luggage
• Cover hospital costs due to accidents, illnesses, and COVID-19 care up to 5,00,000 US dollars (limited by the sum insured mentioned in the policy document).
• Help you get instant and hassle-free coverage in a 100% digital manner and without undergoing medical tests.
• Help you get affordable overseas travel insurance starting at prices as low as ₹45.5 per day*
• Get an automatic extension of your travel insurance plan for up to 60 days or from the date of hospitalisation discharge, whichever is lesser in the event of hospitalisation close to the expiry date of the insurance plan.
• Get an automatic 7-day extension of your travel insurance plan due to the cancellation or delay of your flight back to India.

Every country has a different set of unwritten rules and guidelines that they follow. As tourists stepping into a foreign land, it is only natural to follow the rules of the country out of respect. Here are some things to know about Saudi Arabia before you travel:

• Dress modestly, especially in places of worship, because Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country
• Avoid drinking alcohol in public/ family places
• Avoid drinking, smoking, and any public indecency, especially in the holy month of Ramazan

While you plan your travel itinerary, do not forget to keep your documents at hand, like your passport, visa, hotel bookings, vaccine certificate, health insurance, and other travel documents to show to the immigration authorities. Remember to claim travel insurance policy if you fall prey to any mishap or emergency. Do not carry any forbidden or prohibited items to Saudi Arabia and abide by the unwritten rules of the country out of respect. Always keep emergency contacts at hand.

Saudi Arabia is a culturally rich country with diverse experiences to offer. Here are some popular places and hidden gems to visit in Saudi:

• The great mosque of Mecca
• Kaaba/ Qibla
• Tuwaiq mountains
• Cities like Yanbu, Jeddah, Riyadh
• Kingdom centre tower
• King Fahd fountain
• Masmak fortress
• King Abdullah park
• Heet cave
• Dammam corniche
• Jeddah Corniche

Information last updated Dec '22. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.