Saudi Visa for GCC Residents

What is a Saudi Visa

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Visa for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Residents is an official travel authorization that permits them to enter and stay in the country. It is a mandatory requirement for GCC residents. There are different KSA visas for GCC residents that can be obtained based on the purpose and duration of travel. Some examples of different Saudi visas for GCC residents include the Saudi Tourist Visa for GCC residents, the Umrah Visa for GCC residents, and the Visit Visa for GCC residents. Depending on the Saudi Visa, the validity varies. For example, the Tourist eVisa is valid for stays of up to 90 days per visit, while the Work Visa and Student Visas depend on the duration of employment or program contract.

Do GCC Residents Need a Saudi Visa?

The Gulf Cooperation Council is a political and economic alliance consisting of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. While GCC citizens do not require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, GCC residents do. Residents of GCC countries who are not citizens (such as expatriates with residency permits) must obtain a visa if they want to enter Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Visa Types for GCC Residents

Based on your purpose for traveling, there are various Saudi Arabia visas for GCC residents.

Saudi Visit Visa

The Saudi Visit Visa for GCC residents is the most common visa for tourism in Saudi Arabia. With the Visit Visa you can travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for tourism, meeting friends and family, medical purposes, to perform Umrah, and for business purposes.

Saudi Transit Visa

The Saudi Transit Visa is a temporary visa that allows travelers to pass through the country briefly while en route to their next destination. Based on how you are traveling, you may obtain a Sea Transit Visa, a Land Transit Visa, or an Air Transit Visa.

Saudi Work Visa

Work Visas permit GCC residents to legally obtain employment in Saudi Arabia. In order to have this visa, you will need to obtain an employment contract. Depending on the type of employment, you can have a Seasonal Work Visa, a Temporary Work Visa, or a Permanent Work Visa.

Saudi Hajj Visa

The Hajj Visa is available to Muslims all around the world. It is only available during the Hajj season to Muslims who wish to perform Hajj.

Saudi Education Visa

The Saudi Education Visa is available to GCC residents who are coming to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to study in a Saudi university. They must be accepted into a study program, and the validity of the visa will vary based on the exact program.

Other Visa Types

Other Saudi Visas for GCC residents that can be obtained include the eVisa, the Electronic Visa Waiver, the Escort Visa, the Diplomatic Visa, the Special Visa, the Missions and Organizations Visit Visa, or the Transport of Goods Visa. These are much more specific and not as common as the above visa options.

Saudi Tourist eVisa for GCC Residents

The Saudi Tourist eVisa for GCC residents is an electronic visa that was introduced to facilitate tourism and make the entry process simple and straightforward. It was officially launched in September 2019 and made the expansion to include residents of the GCC in September 2022. It makes it effortless to obtain a Saudi visa for GCC residents. The eVisa is valid for one year and allows for multiple entries, with each stay not exceeding 90 days.

The Saudi Tourist eVisa is available to citizens from various countries. GCC residents are also eligible for the eVisa regardless of their nationality. Citizens of the countries, Chad, Ethiopia, Iran, Libya, Palestine, and Syria, are not eligible for the eVisa and must apply through an embassy or consulate.

The eVisa offers several benefits over traditional visa processes, such as convenience, speed, and allowing multiple entries. It’s important to note that visa policies are subject to change. Travelers should double-check the most recent immigration updates with the Saudi embassy or consulate for the most current information before making travel arrangements.

Saudi eVisa Validity

The Saudi Tourist eVisa for GCC residents is valid for one year, allowing multiple entries. It permits tourists to stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days each visit. GCC residents may qualify for the eVisa if they are traveling for tourism activities, to attend events, to visit friends and family, for leisure purposes, and to perform Umrah. It does not permit working or studying.

Saudi eVisa Requirements for GCC Residents

When applying for a Saudi Tourist eVisa as a GCC resident, you will need to provide the following documents.

Passport

You are required to have a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity from when you plan on entering Saudi Arabia and 2 blank pages at least.

Personal Photo

You must provide a recently taken passport-sized photograph that meets specific size and style guidelines.

Application Form

When applying for an electronic Saudi Visa from GCC countries, you must submit the completed online eVisa application form with your personal and passport details.

GCC Residency

You are required to have a valid residency permit from a GCC country. The validity of your residency must be a minimum of three months.

How to Obtain a Saudi eVisa as a GCC Resident

Applying for an electronic Saudi visa for GCC residents involves several steps. The eVisa is a simple and straightforward process.

Prepare Necessary Documents

Make sure you have all of the required documents ready. You will need to have a valid passport, your GCC residency, and a recently taken passport-sized photo.

Complete the Online Application Form

Fill out the electronic visa application form with accurate personal and travel information. Double-check to make sure all details match your supporting documents to avoid processing delays. It is essential that this form is filled out completely and accurately.

Pay the Visa Fee

After completing the application form, you'll be prompted to pay the Saudi Visa for GCC resident fees. This can be done using a valid payment method such as a credit or debit card.

Submit the Application

Once the application form is filled out and the fee is paid, submit your application for processing. You'll receive a confirmation notice upon successful submission.

Receive Your eVisa

After processing, you'll receive your approved eVisa via email. Print a copy to present upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi eVisa Processing Time

Applying for the Saudi Arabia eVisa for GCC residents is generally an incredibly quick process. You can often expect the results from your application in 24 hours. This does depend on certain factors, such as whether any information in your application needs to be verified or the volume of applications. It’s advised to apply for your eVisa well in advance to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.

Extending a Saudi eVisa and Staying Longer

The Saudi Tourist eVisa permits GCC residents to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days per visit within the 1-year validity period. It’s important to note that this visa cannot be extended. If you want to stay longer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, you must leave the country and reapply for a new Saudi Tourist eVisa.

Entry Rules and Travel Tips for GCC Residents

If you are traveling to Saudi Arabia as a GCC resident, it’s important to be aware of entry regulations and research practical travel tips before arrival in the country. Entry regulations for GCC residents include the following:

Valid Visa: You must have a valid visa if you are visiting Saudi Arabia and you are a GCC resident. The Saudi Tourist eVisa is the most advisable visa if you are traveling for tourism, business, or to perform Umrah.
Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended arrival in Saudi Arabia. It is best to renew your passport if it is going to expire during your visit to avoid any issues or inconveniences.
GCC Residency Permit: While GCC citizens are not required to hold a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, residents of these countries must obtain a visa. In order to qualify for a Saudi Tourist eVisa as a GCC resident, you must have residency for a minimum of 3 months.

When traveling to Saudi Arabia, it is essential to take into consideration practical travel tips before arrival.

You should consider the culture of Saudi Arabia and make sure that you remain respectful throughout your visit.
It’s advised to dress modestly and respect the local customs and laws.
You should also carry the local currency, which is the Saudi Riyal (SAR). While credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Saudi Arabia, it’s best to have some cash on you.
Before arrival in Saudi Arabia, make sure you familiarize yourself with the local emergency numbers. If an emergency occurs, you want to be prepared. You should have the local emergency number as well as the local phone number of your country’s embassy or consulate in Saudi Arabia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Saudi Tourist eVisa single entry or multiple entry?

The Tourist eVisa is a Saudi multiple-entry visa for GCC residents. It is valid for 1 year with a stay of up to 90 days per visit. There is no limit on how many times you can enter Saudi Arabia as long as you don’t overstay past the validity date and none of your stays last longer than 90 days.