Traveling to Saudi Arabia has just gotten easier. The country has launched a pilot version of its official KSA Visa Platform, allowing visitors to quickly and easily apply for electronic visas. The platform is specifically designed for those visiting family and friends.
This move marks another important milestone in Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to promote tourism, simplify procedures for visitors, and strengthen people-to-people ties.
Developed by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this KSA visa platform provides an ‘all-in-one’ digital system for all visitors who wish to join relatives and friends in the Kingdom, attend events, visit tourist destinations or perform Umrah, excluding the Hajj season. Through this initiative, Saudi Arabia aims to simplify the entry process for millions of travelers by bringing information, application and processing onto a single, transparent and user-friendly platform.
The new arrangement includes visiting relatives and friends living in the Kingdom, participating in tourism and cultural activities, attending events and public gatherings, and performing Umrah, except during the Hajj period.
Applicants can choose from two main visa options, depending on the frequency and purpose of their travel. Single-entry visas will be valid for 90 days, allowing stays of up to 90 days. Multiple-entry visas will be valid for one year, allowing stays of up to 90 days per visit. Applicants can choose from a minimum of one to a maximum of three days.
People will have to pay $80, or over 7,000 rupees, for a visa fee. However, this amount will be refundable. Additionally, there will be a digital visa service fee of approximately 1,000 rupees, and a digital insurance service fee of 1,000 rupees. Health insurance will be charged separately.
Who can apply?
Saudi Arabia currently offers three main ways to obtain a Family and Friends visa, depending on the applicant’s place of residence and eligibility.
e-Visas – Issued instantly to citizens of eligible countries. Like the standard eVisa, holders of a valid Schengen, US, or UK visa, or permanent residents of these countries or GCC member states, are eligible.
Visa through Service Offices or Embassies – Applications can be made through accredited Visa Service Offices or directly through Saudi Embassies.
Visa on Arrival – Available to travelers from eligible eVisa countries or holders of a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa, provided they have used that visa at least once.
Applicants must meet certain basic requirements to be eligible for a visa. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, or accompanied by a legal guardian. Passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Health insurance valid for the entire duration of stay. Compliance with Saudi laws and regulations is mandatory.
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