Schengen visa holders are eligible for Saudi Arabia visas on arrival and visiting Saudi Arabia for travel purposes, usually for tourism, business, or family visits. A visa on arrival (VOA) lets you obtain your entry permit at a country’s border instead of applying for it in advance at an embassy or consulate. This can be a convenient and quicker way to enter a country, especially for spontaneous trips or short visits.
Here are some important notes about a Saudi visa on arrival for Schengen visa holders:
- Ensure your visa is valid for at least six months from arrival in KSA.
- The visa must be used at least once and stamped upon entry by the issuing country. This ensures proper visa validation.
If you hold a Schengen visa and plan to visit Saudi Arabia, it is highly recommended that you apply for your visa online instead of opting for a visa on arrival. This measure is taken to minimize the chances of your visa not being issued upon arrival, and to ensure that your trip to Saudi Arabia goes as per your planned itinerary.
Here are the potential risks of obtaining a visa on arrival (VOA) when traveling to Saudi Arabia.
- Visa denial: Even if you meet the eligibility requirements, immigration officers have the final say on whether to grant you a VOA. Reasons for denial could include:
- Insufficient documentation.
- Suspicion of overstaying.
- Unclear travel purpose.
- Delays or questioning: Immigration officers might ask you additional questions or take longer to process your VOA application, especially if they have any concerns.
- Technical issues: The VOA system might be unavailable or experience technical difficulties, causing delays or cancellations.
Embarking on a journey to Saudi Arabia? Let Visas for Future be your travel companion, simplifying your eVisa processing easily and conveniently. Experience our seamless Saudi eVisa processing service. Say goodbye to long queues for visas on arrival and hello to a hassle-free travel experience.
What We’re Offering
If you are a Schengen visa holder and want to travel to Saudi Arabia, you need a Saudi Arabia Tourist eVisa. Our eVisa processing service will give you your Saudi Arabia Tourist eVisa and mandatory health insurance in your mailbox within three days. Saudi Arabia eVisa will allow you to enter Saudi Arabia and participate in tourism-related activities such as events, family & relatives visits, leisure, and Umrah (excluding Hajj) and excludes other activities such as studying.
- It is 90 days duration.1
- It is multiple entries.2
- The cost is $214.82 fee, including the government fee and the mandatory health insurance.
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Application process of Saudi Visa on Arrival for Schengen visa holders
The application process for Saudi Visa on Arrival for Schengen visa holders is as follows:
- Proceed to the VOA counter upon arrival at the airport.
- Present your documents.
- Answer the questions asked by the Immigration officer.
- Pay the visa fee.
- Wait for the immigration officer to process your application.
- If approved, receive your visa sticker and proceed to passport control.
Requirements and documents needed for Schengen Visa holders when entering Saudi Arabia
Eligibility Requirements
- You hold a valid Schengen visa that has been used at least once.
- Your Schengen visa is either a tourist visa or a business visa.
- Your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date in Saudi Arabia.
Documents Required
- Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from Saudi Arabia. Ensure it has sufficient blank pages for entry and exit stamps.
- Schengen Visa: Present your valid Schengen visa that has been used at least once for entry into a Schengen country.
- Proof of Accommodation: Provide a confirmed hotel booking confirmation or a valid residence permit if visiting family or friends.
- Onward Travel Ticket: Show proof of a confirmed flight ticket out of Saudi Arabia within the permitted visa duration.
- Health Insurance: Have valid health insurance covering medical expenses during your stay in Saudi Arabia.
- Sufficient Funds: Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover your expenses throughout your stay. This could include bank statements, credit cards, or cash.
- Travel Itinerary: Having a detailed itinerary outlining your planned destinations and activities within Saudi Arabia can demonstrate genuine travel intentions.
Saudi Arabia Visa on Arrival processing time and fees
The Saudi Arabia visa on arrival fees are SAR 480 (approximately USD 128). The processing time for a Saudi Arabia visa on arrival can vary depending on several factors, but generally, it’s quite fast, ranging from around 30 minutes to a couple of hours. Here’s a breakdown:
Factors affecting processing time:
- Number of applicants: During peak travel seasons or at specific entry points, longer waiting times are possible due to more people applying.
- Technical issues: Occasional system maintenance or glitches can slow down the process.
- Completeness of documentation: Ensure you have all necessary documents pre-organized to avoid delays during verification.
- Individual complexities: In rare cases, some applicants might need additional checks to extend processing time.
Expected processing times:
- Generally: 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Self-service kiosks: Can be faster, sometimes processing within 15-30 minutes.
- Passport offices: Usually slower, potentially taking up to 2 hours during busy periods.
Visa policies for Schengen visa holders visiting Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has introduced a new tourist visa available for Schengen visa holders. The tourist visa allows multiple entries into the kingdom and is valid for one year. The maximum duration that one can stay in Saudi Arabia consecutively is 90 days. You can apply for the visa online here at Visas for Future. You only need your passport and visa.
Alternatively, you can also obtain a visa on arrival at any Saudi airport, if you have a valid Schengen tourist or business visa that has been used at least once and has an entry stamp from the issuing country or region. The visa on arrival requires you to complete an online application form and purchase health insurance.
Please note that these visas are exclusively for tourism and do not grant permission to work or study in Saudi Arabia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a visa on arrival available for Saudi Arabia?
Yes, a visa on arrival is available for eligible travelers in Saudi Arabia! It’s a convenient option that allows you to obtain your visa directly at the port of entry, such as an airport or land border crossing.
Who can enter Saudi Arabia without a visa?
Currently, only a few categories of individuals can enter Saudi Arabia without requiring a visa:
1. Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE): These individuals enjoy freedom of movement within the GCC and can enter Saudi Arabia with just their national ID cards.
2. Holders of diplomatic and official passports (France and Thailand): Individuals holding diplomatic or official passports from these two countries are also exempt from visa requirements for visits to Saudi Arabia.
- Saudi eVisa | The Official website for Tourist Visa to Saudi Arabia. (2023). Visa.visitsaudi.com; Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia. Retrieved January 22, 2024< https://visa.visitsaudi.com/> [↩]
- Saudi eVisa | The Official website for Tourist Visa to Saudi Arabia. (2023). Visa.visitsaudi.com; Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia. Retrieved January 22, 2024<https://visa.visitsaudi.com>/ [↩]
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Cite this article
MLA Style
Orcales, Wences. "Saudi Arabia visa on arrival for Schengen visa holders 2025." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/saudi-arabia-visa-on-arrival-for-schengen-visa-holders/. Accessed on 20 August 2023.
Chicago Style
Orcales, Wences. "Saudi Arabia visa on arrival for Schengen visa holders 2025." Visas For Future. August 20, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/saudi-arabia-visa-on-arrival-for-schengen-visa-holders/.