Now, expatriates living in GCC nations are able to quickly and easily apply online for a Saudi tourist e-visa.
Residents of the GCC are qualified to apply for an e-visa, according to a statement made on September 1 by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism.
GCC citizens may apply for a single entrance or a one-year multiple entry visa, according to visitsaudi.com, Saudi Arabia’s official tourism website.
Here is everything you need to know about the Saudi e-visa for GCC citizens if you wish to go to Saudi Arabia or visit relatives and friends there.
Who is eligible for the e-visa?
The requirements that GCC citizens must fulfill before applying to ensure that they are qualified for the Saudi e-visa are as follows:
- At least three months should pass after the resident visa is issued.
- At least six months must pass before the passport expires.
- The resident’s job must be one of the eligible jobs listed on the portal.
- For kids under 18, the parent must submit the application first.
Which documents do one need to provide?
- Passport photo with white background.
- Passport copy.
- UAE residence visa page.
How to apply for the Saudi e-visa for GCC residents online?
Through Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) online visa platform, visa.mofa.gov.sa, citizens of the GCC can apply for a tourist visa online.
The steps for applying for the visa are as follows:
Step 1: Create an online account
- Visit the link here: https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/Account/Loginindividuals.
- Next, select “Register” from the list of options under “Login Of Individual Visitors To Saudi Arabia.”
- After that, enter your email address, make a password, and then confirm it. Once you’ve done that, enter the “captcha code” and press “Register.”
- Then, click the link to activate your account in your email inbox.
- When asked, enter the captcha code to log in with your new account. Select “Login” from the menu.
Step 2: Create a new visa application
- On the right side of your screen, when you log in, select the white tab labelled “Add a new application.”
- After reading the terms and conditions, you click “agree.”
Step 3: Fill out the Saudi e-visa application for GCC residents
Next, fill e-visa application form with the following details:
Enter the e-visa information:
- Select visa type: Tourist
- Transport mode: Air, land, sea or open
- Select the Saudi Mission: Dubai
Enter personal information:
- Type in your first and last name.
- Select your nationality
Check the box that reads, ‘A ‘valid’ residence for a period of no less than three months in the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Gulf Countries, including domestic workers who come with their sponsors.’ once you have chosen your nationality.
- Type in your residence visa number which is your UID (Unified Number) number
- Enter the expiry date of your UAE residence visa.
- Select the issuing country: UAE
- Enter your occupation. Options from a drop-down menu will appear once you enter it in. You must confirm that your profession, as it is indicated on your visa, is an option. This is due to the fact that only a limited number of worker categories are permitted to apply for an e-visa online.
Step 4: Upload the documents
- Passport-sized photograph
- Passport copy
- UAE residence visa copy
Step 5: Enter your passport details
- Passport number
- Issuing country
- Date of expiry
- Date of birth
- Passport type: Normal
- Date of issue
- Place of birth
Enter other details:
- Select your marital status
- Gender
- Address in Saudi Arabia
Step 6: Enter your travel date and select type of tourist visa:
- Select the port of entry:
- Jeddah
- Al Madinah
- Riyadh
- Dammam
- Dhahran
- Enter your expected entry date
- Next, select your tourist visa type:
- Single
- Multiple
Your 30-day stay in Saudi Arabia is permitted under the single entry visa, which has a three-month validity period starting on the day of issuance.
You will have a year to use the multiple entry visa, during which time you may stay in Saudi Arabia for 90 days.
- Next, choose whether you want to perform Umrah. According to the MOFA website, visitors can perform Umrah all year round, excluding the Hajj season.
- Next, key in the captcha code and press the “Save” button.
Step 7: Confirm the application data
After that, the website will provide you access to all the information related to your application and ask you to enter your email address and mobile number.
Step 8: Select your medical insurance
After that, the website will provide you access to all the information related to your application and ask you to enter your email address and mobile number.
Step 9: Make the payment
After selecting health insurance, pay for the e-visa via debit/credit card.
Step 10: Receive the Saudi e-visa
Once the application has been submitted, you can follow the progress of your e-visa application at this link: https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/Home/Index.
Choose “visa application” as the inquiry type, insert the application and passport numbers, and then press “Search.”
You will receive the e-visa via email if MOFA approves your request for a visa. The “Visit Saudi” website urges travelers to travel with both a hard copy and a digital copy of their visa.
How long can e-visa holders stay in Saudi Arabia?
The length of your stay is determined by the kind of visa you apply for, according to visitsaudi.com, the official tourism website of Saudi Arabia:
- The multiple-entry tourist visa allows for 90 days of stay in Saudi Arabia and is good for a year from the date of issuance.
- The single-entry tourist visa allows for a 30-day stay in Saudi Arabia and is good for three months from the date of issuance.
It is crucial to remember that while applications do not guarantee visa issuance, MOFA will grant the visa upon evaluation of each application.
Additionally, the application fee is non-refundable if the e-visa application is denied because it does not comply with the rules, according to visitsaudi.com.
How much does the Saudi e-visa for GCC residents cost?
Residents of the GCC must pay the health insurance fee in addition to the 300 Saudi riyals (Dh293.25) required for the e-visa. Therefore, the overall cost will differ based on the health insurance plan you choose.