Saudi Visa for German Citizens
German citizens seeking work in Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi work visa, which permits a 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia, during which time the German visitor should apply for a Saudi residence visa. Along with the Saudi work permit, or Iqama, the Saudi residence visa allows the German national to live and work long-term in Saudi Arabia. For short-term work activities, such as corporate events, business meetings, or negotiations, the German citizen is required to hold a Saudi business visa, which is applied for by a Saudi host company on the German visitor’s behalf. The Saudi business visa is a single-entry visa valid for 3 months, allowing a 30-day stay (extendable), or as a multiple-entry visa valid for 6 months or 1 year, allowing a 90-day stay each visit (non-extendable).
Please be advised that overstays in Saudi Arabia will result in fines and deportation, so be aware of your Saudi visa validity dates and permitted stay duration in Saudi Arabia.
Table of contents
Saudi visas for Germans
Tourist visa
German citizens traveling to Saudi Arabia for tourism should apply online for the Saudi e-visa, which allows for multiple 90-day visits within the one-year Saudi e-visa validity period, or for a single 30-day entry, valid for 3 months
Business visit visa
Saudi companies wishing to host a German citizen for business activities, such as meetings, negotiations, or corporate visits, should apply on the German visitor’s behalf.
Employment visa
German nationals seeking employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi employment visa.
Student visa
German nationals enrolled in a Saudi Arabia educational institution should apply for the Saudi student visa.
Residence visa
German citizens, already in Saudi Arabia on a short-term visa, wishing to live in Saudi Arabia long-term should apply for the Saudi residence visa.
Premium residency visa
German nationals wishing to live and invest in Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi premium residency visa. With this visa, the German national can reside, own property, invest, work, change jobs, hire foreign workers, sponsor family, and enter and exit Saudi Arabia, without the need for a Saudi sponsor.
Family visit visa
Saudi nationals or legal residents wishing to host a first-degree relative for a short-term visit to Saudi Arabia can apply for the Saudi family visit visa on behalf of the German visitor.
Companion visa
German citizens wishing to accompany someone on a trip to Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi companion visa.
Personal visit visa
Saudi nationals wishing to host a German visitor in Saudi Arabia for a short-term, non-business, non-family visit to Saudi Arabia.
Newborn visa
German parents, who have a valid Saudi work permit (Iqama), and the mother of the child has a valid re-entry visa into Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi newborn visa.
Government visa
German visitors, invited by a Saudi Arabian government institution, ministry, or department, can apply for the Saudi government visa.
Diplomatic & official visas
Official or diplomatic German nationals can apply for the Saudi diplomatic and official visa.
Diplomatic missions & organizations
German citizens visiting a Saudi Arabian mission or organization should apply for the Saudi diplomatic missions and organizations visa
Extension of exit/re-entry visa
German employees and their dependents, wishing to travel to and from Saudi Arabia for a specific period of time, should apply for the Saudi extension of exit/re-entry visa.
Hajj visa
German Muslims, wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage purposes, should apply for the Saudi Hajj visa.
Umrah visa
German Muslims, wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage purposes, should apply for a Saudi Umrah visa.
Transit visa
German travelers on layover in Saudi Arabia for more than 12 hours should apply for the Saudi transit visa. German nationals in Saudi Arabia for less than 12 hours do not need to apply for a Saudi transit visa.
Requirement
Saudi tourist visa for Germans:
Application
German applicant fills out a Saudi visa application form at SaudiVisa.com, with personal data and other requested information.
Passport
German applicant should hold a German passport, valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia or that meets the rules of reciprocity.
Personal photo
German applicant must submit one recent color photo; against a white background; 2x2 inches; 5 to 100 KB natural facial expressions; 80% face; no eyeglasses; no head wear, except for religious reasons.
Saudi visa-on-arrival for Germans
Saudi work visa for Germans
The Saudi work visa for German foreign nationals allows for a maximum 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia, during which time the German citizen must apply for a Saudi residence permit with the Saudi Ministry of Labor. Along with the Saudi work permit, or Iqama, the Saudi residence permit allows German visitors the right to live and work in Saudi Arabia for 1 year, extendable based on the continuity of the same employment. To apply for the Saudi work visa, German applicants must be at least 18 years old and should meet the following requirements:
Employment visa
Saudi employer applies with the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Labor for a Saudi employment visa, on the German worker’s behalf.
The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will issue a visa authorization number.
Sponsorship letter
German applicant should be invited by a Saudi Arabian organization that is certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
The sponsorship letter must indicate the German applicant’s name, position, block visa number, and the date.
Diploma
German applicant must have a certified and notarized copy of their university degree or training/technical diploma, authenticated by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.
Employment contract
An employment contract is signed by the German employee and the Saudi employer, then certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
Power of Attorney
Saudi MOFA issues digital power of attorney from the Saudi employer.
Visa referral note
A visa referral note must be issued by Saudi MOFA stating the Saudi work visa number and date.
Health report
German applicant must submit 3 copies of their recent health report, which has been issued within the last 3 months by a licensed physician, stating the doctor’s license number and address, complete with disease-free lab results.
Police report
German applicant must submit a recent and detailed police report, issued at least 6 months before the Saudi work visa application, stating a crime-free record.
Medical Insurance
German applicant should purchase health insurance in Saudi Arabia
Passport
German applicant should have a passport, valid for 6 months from travel date to Saudi Arabia, with 2 blank pages that are facing each other.
Application
German national should fill out the Saudi work visa application form on the Saudi MOFA portal, then submit the application and required documents by courier or at the nearest Saudi embassy or representation office abroad.
How to apply for a Saudi visa
To apply for a Saudi visa, German applicants should follow these steps:
Saudi tourist visa for Germans
Submit application form
German applicant fills out the online Saudi e-visa application form, complete with personal data, passport details, and other requested information.
Pay fees online
German applicant pays the Saudi e-visa fees securely online, with a valid credit or debit card.
Receive approved visa
If approved, the Saudi e-Visa will be sent directly to the email that was provided. Check that all Saudi e-visa information is correct and matches the passport.
Saudi work visa for Germans
Apply for Saudi work visa
- Saudi employer applies to MOFA for a Saudi work visa on the German worker’s behalf.
- German worker fills out the Saudi work visa application on the Saudi MOFA portal, complete with personal data and other requested information. German applicant then prints out the Saudi work visa application form, signs it, and affixes their personal photos.
- German applicant pays the Saudi work visa fees online on the Saudi MOFA portal, using a valid credit or debit card.
Submit work visa
German applicant submits their Saudi job visa application and required documents by courier or at their nearest Saudi Arabia embassy or consulate.
Receive work visa
German applicant retrieves the approved Saudi work visa from the Saudi Arabia embassy or consulate.
Visa information must be correct and match the information on German national’s passport.
Apply for residence permit
German worker should apply with the Saudi Ministry of Labor for a Saudi residence permit, during their 90-day permitted stay in Saudi Arabia under the Saudi work visa.
Processing time
Saudi visa fees
Visa extension
German Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia
German Embassy Riyadh:
Address: Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh.
Telephone: +966 112 77 69 00
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Jeddah:
Address: Building No. 60, Marwan bin Abdulrahman Street (152), off Ali Al-Shaibi-Street, Al Muhammadeyyah District 5, Jeddah.
Telephone: 00966 12 699 6436
Saudi Arabia Embassy and Consulate in Germany
Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Federal Republic of Germany:
Address: Tiergartenstrasse 33-34 / 10785 Berlin.
Telephone: 004930889250
Consulate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Frankfurt:
Address: Messetrum – 20 Etage- Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage 49 D-60308 Frankfurt am Main.
Telephone: 0049697680580
Saudi visas for Germans FAQ
Can German citizens enter Saudi Arabia visa-free?
Do German need a Saudi transit visa?
How much does a Saudi visa cost?
Depending on the German national’s purpose for traveling to Saudi Arabia and the type of Saudi visa being applied for, the Saudi visa fees will range in cost and vary in processing times.