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Saudi visa for Qatar Residents

What is a Saudi Visa for Qatar Residents?

A Saudi visa is an official authorization issued by the government of Saudi Arabia that allows a foreign national, including Qatar residents, to enter, stay, or transit through the country for a specific purpose and duration. A visa is required for non-citizens (except for GCC nationals) to regulate entry into Saudi Arabia. It ensures that travelers meet the country’s security, health, and legal requirements.
There are different visa categories to choose from depending on the purpose of your visit. For example, you can apply for a Saudi tourist visa from Qatar if you’re planning to go sightseeing or a Hajj visa to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

The validity of your visa will depend on the visa type you apply for. For example, tourist visas usually allow for stays of up to 90 days while a Hajj visa is only valid for the Hajj period.

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Do Qatar Citizens Need a Visa for Saudi Arabia?

Qatari citizens, like citizens of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, do not need a visa to travel to Saudi Arabia. They only need to present their identity card or passport to enter the country. However, Qatari residents who are not citizens of the GCC countries need a KSA visa from Qatar to visit the country.

Saudi Visa Types for Qatar Residents

If you’re planning to get a Saudi Arabia visa from Qatar, find out which type of visa to apply for. Here are different types of visas depending on the purpose of your visit:

Visit visa

With a Saudi visit visa from Qatar, you can enter the country for the following purposes:

Tourism

If you want to explore the unique, natural beauty of Saudi Arabia or experience its rich history and culture, you can travel there on a visit visa.

Family and friends

A visit visa is also valid if you want to visit family and friends who are residing in Saudi Arabia.

Medical

If you wish to get medical advice or treatment in Saudi, you can apply for a visit visa for medical purposes.

Umrah

An Umrah visa enables Qatar residents to perform Umrah, a pilgrimage that Muslims undertake to Mecca’s Masjid al-Haram. It can be performed at any time of the year except during the Hajj season.

Business

You may attend a business conference or networking event or meet clients with a Saudi visit visa for the purpose of business.

Transit visa

If you’re planning on having a flight layover in Saudi Arabia for more than 12 hours, you’ll require a transit visa. You’ll also need a transit visa if you’re crossing Saudi Arabia’s land borders to enter a neighboring country or if you disembark at a Saudi port while traveling by sea. You can apply for a land, sea, or air transit visa according to your mode of travel. As transit visas are valid for 96 hours, you can explore Saudi Arabia before you travel to your next destination.

Work visa

Here are the three different types of work visas you can apply for depending on your employment contract:

  • Seasonal work visa: This visa enables you to work in Saudi Arabia during specific seasons or events. 
  • Temporary work visa: A temporary visa allows you to work in Saudi Arabia for a short period. 
  • Permanent work visa: If you have a long-term employment contract in Saudi, you can apply for this visa.

Study visa

A study visa is for those intending to pursue short- or long-term study in Saudi Arabia. This visa is usually valid for 90 days for a one-year period for short-term study. For long-term study, such as a degree program, you may be issued a visa with a longer validity period. You usually apply for a study visa only after you’ve gotten accepted into a Saudi school or university.

Hajj visa

If you want to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, you need to apply for this specific visa. To qualify for this visa, you need to be of Muslim faith. You can only get this visa through authorized travel agents and it will be issued for a short duration. You must leave Saudi Arabia by the 10th of Muharram without engaging in any other activities, such as sightseeing or visiting family and friends.

Other visa types

Here are some other types of visas:

  • Diplomatic visa
  • Missions and organizations visit visa

Saudi Tourist eVisa for Qatar Residents

The tourist eVisa is a visa that Qatar residents can apply for online, depending on their nationality, to travel to Saudi Arabia. In September 2022, Saudi Arabia announced that GCC residents of certain professions could apply for an electronic visa. In March 2023, the eligibility for an electronic visa was then expanded to GCC residents, irrespective of their profession.

Prior to the eVisa, GCC residents who wanted to travel to Saudi Arabia had to provide their personal information, flight itinerary, return tickets, financial solvency documents, proof of accommodation, and proof of employment at their nearest Saudi embassy.

With a Saudi visa for Qatar residents, you are allowed to participate in tourism-related activities, visit family and friends, and perform Umrah. However, you will not be able to study or perform Hajj with an eVisa.

The eVisa enables you to make multiple trips to Saudi within the validity period without needing to submit visa applications each time. The entire application process can also be completed online without needing to travel to a Saudi embassy. The processing time is also much quicker than for a traditional visa. This streamlined process makes obtaining a multiple-entry Saudi visa for Qatar residents cost-effective and hassle-free.

Saudi eVisa Validity

The eVisa is a one-year, multiple-entry visa that allows Qatar residents to visit and stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days. Visa holders can enter Saudi as many times as they want during the validity period.

Requirements for Obtaining a Saudi Visa from Qatar

There are certain eligibility criteria to meet to get a Saudi visa from Qatar. Review the following list to ensure a smooth application process for your tourist visa:

Passport

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date in Saudi Arabia.

Personal photo

You will need to prepare a passport-sized photo that meets all the following requirements:

  • A recent color photo taken against a plain white background.
  • The image size should be between 5 and 100KB.
  • The size of the photo should be two by two inches.
  • 80% of the photo should consist of your face.
  • Your facial expression should be neutral.
  • You should not wear any headwear, unless for religious reasons.
  • You have to remove your spectacles.

Application form

Fill in the application form accurately.

Residency

For GCC residents, there’s an additional requirement. To qualify for the Saudi visa, you must have a GCC residency visa that is valid for a minimum of three months.

Dependents below 18 years of age cannot apply for their own eVisa. A parent or legal guardian must apply for the dependent after they have applied for an eVisa for themselves.

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Applying for a Saudi eVisa from Qatar

If you’re wondering how to apply for a Saudi visa from Qatar, review the following steps:

Fill out the application form

  • Provide your basic personal information, such as your full name, contact details, residential address, profession, and passport details.
  • You’ll also need to indicate the purpose of your visit, such as if you’re traveling to Saudi for an event, leisure, family and friend visits, or Umrah.

Upload photos

  • You will need to upload a photo of yourself that meets the requirements outlined in the previous section.
  • You are also required to take a photo of your passport and upload it.
  • Ensure that the photos are clear and that all the information is visible.

Provide information about your accommodation.

  • You will be asked about your accommodation during your time in Saudi Arabia, such as if you will be staying at a hotel or with a family member or friend.
  • Provide the address, contact number, and email address of the hotel, family member, or friend.

Pay the visa fee.

Pay the visa fee securely using a valid payment method.

Receive your visa.

After you submit your application, you can expect to receive your eVisa via the email address you provided. Ensure that your name and passport details are correct in the eVisa.

Saudi eVisa Processing Time

After you submit your application, you can expect to get your eVisa within 24 hours.

Extending a Saudi Visa and Staying Longer

A Saudi eVisa for Qatar residents cannot be extended. This means that you cannot extend your stay in Saudi while you’re there. You will need to first leave the country and then reapply for a new Saudi tourist eVisa. You can then travel to Saudi with your new eVisa.

Entry Rules and Travel Tips for Qatar Residents

It is important for you to adhere to the conditions of your tourist eVisa when traveling to Saudi. This means that you should not engage in paid work, perform Hajj, or do long-term study in the country. Qatar residents should only engage in tourism-related activities, visit friends or family, or perform Umrah with an eVisa. Make sure that you don’t stay in Saudi beyond the 90-day limit and leave before your visa expires.

Before your trip to Saudi Arabia, read about the culture and understand what is expected of you as a tourist. For example, you should dress modestly and respectfully at all times. Men should wear long pants, while women should wear clothes with long sleeves and full-length skirts or pants. Guests are not expected to wear traditional Saudi attire, but their clothing should not be tight or revealing. Women who plan to visit a mosque should bring a shawl to drape over their heads.

Public display of affection is not acceptable and you should refrain from criticizing the royal family or Islam. Note that many public places in Saudi have gender segregation, so respect these designated spaces and adhere to the guidelines.

 

FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Saudi visa for Qatar residents:

Yes, you can obtain a Saudi visa on arrival if you’re eligible for an eVisa. However, it is highly advisable to apply online for an eVisa before traveling to Saudi to avoid getting held up by long queues at the airport and possible delays.

Only citizens of the GCC countries can enter Saudi without a visa. Nationals from other countries have to either apply for an eVisa, a visa on arrival, or a traditional “sticker” visa to enter Saudi.

The Saudi visa for Qatar residents costs USD 199. Note that this fee is for a tourist eVisa.

A Saudi Iqama is a residency permit issued to Saudi Arabia residents. This permit allows foreigners to work and live in Saudi Arabia legally and also enables their dependents to stay with them in the country. In the same way that Qatari residents are eligible for Saudi eVisas, Saudi Iqama holders are also eligible for a Qatar visa. Note that Saudi citizens can enter Qatar for up to 30 days without a visa.