Saudi Visa for Malaysian Citizens
Malaysian citizens, wishing to work in Saudi Arabia, can apply for the Saudi work visa, which allows for a maximum 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia, during which time the Malaysian worker should apply for a Saudi residence visa. With the Saudi work permit, or Iqama, the Saudi residence visa allows the Malaysian worker to work and live in Saudi Arabia. Malaysian citizens wishing to engage in short-term commercial activities, such as meetings, negotiations, or corporate events, should apply for a Saudi business visit visa, through a Saudi host company or organization. The Saudi business visit visa is issued as a single-entry visit visa valid for 3 months, allowing a 30-day stay (extendable), or as a multiple-entry visit visa valid for 6 months or 1 year, allowing a 90-day stay each visit (non-extendable).
Be aware of your Saudi visa validity dates and permitted duration of stay in Saudi Arabia, as overstays in Saudi Arabia may result in fines and deportation.
Table of contents
Saudi visas for Malaysian citizens
Malaysian citizens visiting Saudi Arabia for purposes of work, business, family visits, pilgrimage, transit, and other short or long-term purposes should apply for the appropriate Saudi visa, prior to their intended visit to Saudi Arabia. Depending on the purpose of travel to Saudi Arabia, Malaysian citizens can apply for the following Saudi visas:
Tourist visa
Malaysian nationals traveling to Saudi Arabia for tourism activities are eligible to apply online for the Saudi e-visa, allowing multiple 90-day visits within a one-year Saudi e-visa validity period, or a single 30-day stay within a 3-month visa validity period.
Business visit visa
Saudi companies wishing to host a Malaysian citizen for business activities, such as meetings, negotiations, or corporate visits, should apply for a Saudi business visa on the Malaysian applicant’s behalf.
Employment visa
Malaysian nationals seeking employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi employment visa.
Student visa
Malaysian nationals enrolled in a Saudi Arabia educational institution should apply for the Saudi student visa.
Residence visa
Malaysian citizens, already in Saudi Arabia on a short-term visa, wishing to stay in Saudi Arabia for a longer period of time, should apply for the Saudi residence visa.
Premium residency visa
Malaysian citizens, wishing to live in Saudi Arabia and invest in Saudi business, should apply for the Saudi premium residence visa, which allows the Malaysia national to 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, should apply for a Saudi family visit visa.
Companion visa
Malaysian nationals, wishing to accompany someone on their trip to Saudi Arabia, should apply for a Saudi companion visa.
Personal visit visa
Saudi nationals, wishing to host a Malaysian national in Saudi Arabia for a non-business, non-family, short-term related visit, should apply for a Saudi personal visit visa, on the Malaysian citizen’s behalf.
Newborn visa
Malaysian 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
Malaysian visitors, who have been invited by a Saudi Arabian government institution, ministry, or department, should apply for a Saudi government visa.
Diplomatic & official visas
Official or diplomatic Malaysian nationals should apply for the Saudi diplomatic and official visa.
Diplomatic missions & organizations
Malaysian nationals, visiting a Saudi Arabian mission or organization, should apply for a Saudi diplomatic missions and organizations visa.
Extension of exit/re-entry visa
Malaysian employees and their dependents, wishing to travel to and from Saudi Arabia for a specific period of time, should apply for a Saudi extension of exit-re-entry visa
Hajj visa
Malaysian Muslims, wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage purposes, should apply for the Saudi Hajj visa.
Umrah visa
Malaysian Muslims, wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage purposes, should apply for the Saudi Umrah visa.
Transit visa
Malaysian travelers on layover in Saudi Arabia for more than 12 hours should apply for the Saudi transit visa. Malaysian travelers passing through Saudi Arabia for less than 12 hours do not need a Saudi transit visa.
Requirement
Saudi tourist visa for Malaysian citizens:
Application
Malaysian applicant fills out a Saudi visa application form at SaudiVisa.com, including personal data and other information.
Passport
Malaysian applicant must hold a Malaysian passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entering Saudi Arabia or that meets the rules of reciprocity.
Personal photo
Malaysian applicant submits 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 work visa for Malaysian citizens
The Saudi work visa allows Malaysian visitors a maximum 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia, during which time the Malaysian citizen should apply for a Saudi residence permit with the Saudi Ministry of Labor. The Saudi residence permit, along with the Saudi work permit, or Iqama, allows the Malaysian national to work and live in Saudi Arabia for up to 1 year, extendable based on the continuity of the same employment. Malaysian nationals should be at least 18 years old to apply for the Saudi work visa, as well as meet the following requirements:
Saudi work visa for Malaysian citizens
Employment visa
Saudi employer applies for the Saudi employment visa, with the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Labor, on the Malaysian national’s behalf.
The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will then issue a visa authorization number
Sponsorship letter
Malaysian worker must have an invitation letter by a Saudi Arabian organization or company, certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
The sponsorship letter must indicate the Malaysian worker’s name, position, block visa number, and the date.
Diploma
The Malaysian worker 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 should be signed by the Malaysian worker and the Saudi employer, certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
Power of Attorney
Saudi MOFA will issue digital power of attorney from the Saudi employer.
Visa referral note
A visa referral note must be issued by Saudi MOFA that states the Saudi work visa number and date.
Health report
The Malaysian worker citizen should submit 3 copies of a recent medical report by a licensed physician, bearing the doctor’s license number and address, complete with disease-free lab results.
Police report
The Malaysian national should submit a recent police report, issued at least 6 months before applying for the Saudi work visa, that details the Malaysian worker’s criminal record.
Medical Insurance
The Malaysian worker should purchase health insurance from Saudi Arabia.
Passport
The Malaysian national should have a Malaysian passport, valid for 6 months from the date of travel to Saudi Arabia, with 2 blank pages that are facing each other.
Application
The Malaysian citizen should fill out the Saudi work visa application form on the Saudi MOFA portal, then submit the application and required documents by mail or in person at their nearest Saudi embassy or consulate abroad.
How to apply for a Saudi visa
Saudi tourist visa for Malaysians
Citizens of Malaysia can apply online for the Saudi e-visa, at SaudiVisa.com, in 3 simple steps:
Submit application form
Malaysian applicant fills out the online Saudi e-visa application form, with their personal data, passport details, and other requested information.
Pay fees online
Malaysian applicant pays the Saudi e-visa fees securely online, with a valid credit or debit card.
Receive approved visa
The Saudi e-Visa will be sent to the Malaysian applicant’s email address. Malaysian applicant should check that all Saudi e-visa information is correct and matches their passport.
Saudi work visa for Malaysian nationals
Apply for Saudi work visa
- Saudi employer applies to MOFA for a Saudi work visa on the Malaysian national’s behalf
- The Malaysian worker should fill out the Saudi work visa application on the Saudi MOFA portal, including their personal data and all other requested information, then print the Saudi work visa application form, sign it where necessary, and affix their personal photos.
- Using a valid credit or debit card, the Malaysian applicant pays the Saudi work visa fees online through the Saudi MOFA portal.
Submit work visa
Malaysian citizen submits the Saudi job visa application and required documents by mailing them or visiting their nearest Saudi Arabia embassy or consulate abroad.
Receive work visa
If approved, the Saudi work visa should be retrieved from the Saudi Arabia embassy or consulate where the Malaysian worker applied.
Malaysian worker should verify that all the Saudi work visa information is correct and matches their passport.
Apply for residence permit
During the 90-day permitted stay under the Saudi work visa, the Malaysian worker should then apply for a Saudi residence permit with the Saudi Ministry of Labor.
Processing time
Applying for a Saudi Arabia e-visa is a very fast process that takes no longer than 24 hours. Other Saudi visas can take longer, depending on the Saudi visa type being applied for. Applicants should start the Saudi visa application as early as possible, in case of delays or unforeseen circumstances.
Saudi visa fees
Visa extension
Malaysian Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia
Embassy of Malaysia:
Address: Diplomatic Quarter P.O. Box 94335, 11693 Riyadh.
Telephone: 00 966 11 488 7098
Consulate General of Malaysia, Jeddah:
Address: Lot 241, Al-Mualiffin Street, Al Rehab District, P.O Box 593, 21421 Jeddah.
Telephone: 0096612 6727740
Visa extension
Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Malaysia:
Address: Level 4, Wisma Chinese Chamber, No.258, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.
Telephone: 0060342579433