If you want to travel to KSA for business purposes, it is essential to go through the process of obtaining a Saudi Business Visit Visa. The requirements and regulations may be rigorous, but with the right information and if you follow the right steps, you are sure to secure your visa efficiently and quickly. Initially, you have to investigate what the corresponding procedure is to guarantee having a business visit Saudi Arabia visa.
In this article, we will carefully analyze the specific procedures to obtain a Saudi Business Visit Visa. You will be able to see all the important aspects from preparing documents to submitting the application and communicating with the authorities. In short, you will see a step-by-step guide to secure a visa efficiently. If you are planning to take a business trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this information will help you navigate the process with success and confidence.
Overview of Saudi Business Visit Visa
Currently, in Saudi Arabia, there is a new business visa that aims to attract foreign investors and boost the economy. Its new name is the Saudi business visit visa, whose creation is in collaboration between the Ministry of Investment and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom.
Thanks to this visa, the process is simplified for international companies and investors who want to expand in the country. Furthermore, this initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy without depending on oil.
After the launch of the second phase, MISA has taken special measures. Specifically, to reveal exceptional investment opportunities in 15 economic sectors in the Kingdom.
If you want to obtain the visa, you only have to have the validity of your passport, the duration of the visa, and pay the fees. In addition, having the requirement of approved medical insurance in the Kingdom.
Investors have to comply with the intended purpose of the application, along with the KSA instructions and regulations. It is important to mention that there are prohibitions, for instance, performing paid or unpaid work.
One of the most important things the government emphasizes is that business visit visa holders cannot perform Umrah during the Hajj season. Another important point is that they have to exactly follow the period of stay that is on the visa.
With the Saudi Business Visit Visa entrepreneurs can explore various economic sectors of KSA. You also have the chance to learn about natural resources to understand their cultural and geographical importance.
As a result, thanks to the new visa service, the process through the Investing in Saudi Arabia platform is much easier. Specifically, because it aims to provide a one-year multiple-entry visa for investors.
Which countries are eligible for a Saudi business visa?
To find out which countries have the option to apply for the Saudi Business Visit Visa, you just have to read the following list:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Brunei
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- China (including Macau and Hong Kong)
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech
- Republic Denmark
- Italy
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- Kazakhstan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Any holder of a US visa, Schengen visa, or UK visa.
Saudi business visa validity
Currently, a Saudi Business Visit Visa has two types and, in turn, their validity.
For a single-entry business visa, has a maximum validity of three months and you can stay in the kingdom for a maximum of thirty days.
For a multiple entry Saudi Business Visit Visa, the visa can be issued for 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or 5 years. In addition, you will have a maximum stay of 90 days per trip.
Saudi business visa benefits
If you want to travel to KSA for work events, conferences, and meetings, the best option is the Saudi Business Visit Visa. You have the option to participate in activities based on the purpose of the visit that is in the invitation request letter.
In summary, you can benefit from the activities in the following list if you are a business traveler to Saudi Arabia, depending on your line of work:
- Buy products to sell in other countries.
- Participate in business talks or meetings, as well as in fairs, seminars, and conferences.
- Visit company plants and facilities.
How to Get a Saudi Business Visit Visa?
In order to obtain a Saudi Business Visit Visa, you just have to follow the following essential steps. Thus, you are guaranteed success in obtaining your visit visa and complying with all your obligations.
- Initially, you have to create an account on the MOFA website to apply for the Saudi Business Visit Visa.
- Subsequently, you have to fill in your details online through the website.
- Continue paying Saudi Business Visit Visa fees online. You should know that cash payments at the embassy are no longer allowed.
- Download and print a copy of the application with the MOFA reference number when applying for your Saudi Business Visit Visa.
- Attach all the documents or requirements for the Saudi Business Visit Visa along with the printed copy.
- Finally, you have to send the package to your nearest Saudi embassy through an authorized agent. Additionally, it is important to know that the embassy requires that you present them in person. That is, you have to use one of the registered agencies to do it for you.
Saudi business visa processing time
When applying for the Saudi Business Visit Visa you should know that the processing time may vary. However, depending on when you apply for the visa, the normal processing time for a Saudi business visa is approximately 10 business days.
Of course, the most important factor that will determine the processing time of the Saudi Business Visit Visa is when you apply for it. The reason is that if you request it when there are many people who made the request, it may surely take a little longer.
Requirements for Saudi Business Visit Visa
- Before starting the application process, it is important to collect all the documents for the Saudi Business Visit Visa. Next, you will see a list of all the papers you must have to be able to apply.
- Applicant’s original passport for the Saudi Business Visit Visa.
- Invitation letter from the applicant. For it to be valid it must come from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it has to be directed to the Saudi Arabian consulate through which you plan to apply.
- If you want to apply to be employed in an international company, you must present a letter from the employer. Thus, your work can be confirmed and, consequently, the next trip.
- Any applicant for the Saudi Business Visit Visa must provide two recent color photographs on a white background. Additionally, you have to print them on high-quality photo paper.
- A photocopy of the identity document in Saudi Arabia, that is a photocopy of the Iqama for foreigners.
- Photocopies of certificates and university degrees.
- CV or Curriculum vitae of the applicant.
- Finally, you have to know that, depending on your situation and nationality, you may have to carry some additional documents.
Original Valid Passport
If you want to apply for a Saudi Business Visit Visa, you have to present your original valid passport. That is no less than six months with at least two successive empty visa pages. In addition, the passport must be a chip type, currently called biometric.
Business Letter
In order to have the Saudi Business Visit Visa you have to bring a business letter or letter of introduction from the local company. To be valid, the business letter must have the following information:
- The specific information as it appears in the invitation letter to enter the country.
- It must be original and legalized before the local Chamber of Commerce and later, before the Higher Chamber of Commerce of KSA.
- When writing it, it must be issued in the name of the Consulate of Saudi Arabia with attention to His Excellency Visa Consul.
- It has to be printed on paper and with the letterhead of the company you are going to work for.
- The applicant’s data, which must match the passport, profession, passport number, and position in the company.
- Indicate the type of Saudi Business Visit Visa you prefer.
- Provide a brief explanation about the reason for the trip and the expected dates of the trip.
- Inform about the relevant data of the company that provides the employment relationship in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- It must come from a local company sealed and signed. In addition, you have to inform about the name and title of the signatory, which cannot be the same applicant.
- Finally, each cover letter has to be per person. That is, it is the maximum for an applicant for the Saudi Business Visit Visa.
Application form
To apply for this visa, you need the Saudi Business Visit Visa application form. To obtain it you have to look for official pages that surely have it available to the public.
The form has an overview of the process, questions about your trip, pre-verification guides, and a sample letter of support to the employer.
Additionally, this visa application form will ask you certain important things about the applicant. For example, residential details, travel information such as flight and travel dates, information about people you will visit in KSA, and details about religion and marital status.
Letter of Invitation from Saudi Company
To obtain your Saudi business visit visa you must have an electronic invitation letter from a Saudi company. Additionally, all Saudi Arabia business visas need an invitation from the Chamber of Commerce or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Therefore, this invitation letter is the first step for you to obtain your Saudi Arabia business visit visa.
Additional documents
If necessary, they may request additional documents, among which you can obtain:
- Health insurance is among the local options that will appear when processing your form.
- Copy of the company’s commercial registration in Saudi Arabia and the other country.
Despite having all these documents, it is likely that they may request additional documents. Therefore, if you want to know more about this process you can contact Saudi lawyers and ask about the requirements.
Drop Off the Requirements
Once you have all the documents to apply for your KSA business visit visa, you must hand them over to someone. Therefore, you can follow these steps to submit all the documents:
- You can apply with all the documents at the embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this way, you must follow all the instructions provided by the embassy and have all the documents ready.
- If you want to send the documents by email you can do so by writing to the embassy’s email address.
- It is important to remember that you must follow all guidelines provided by the embassy. Additionally, you must ensure that all documents are complete and in order when submitting them to the embassy.
Saudi Business visa process
In order to apply for your business visa, you must follow these steps:
- Get an invitation from who will be your sponsor in Saudi Arabia. This invitation will be sent by email.
- The invitation will be translated by one of the visa advisors. It is important to remember that the invitation will be in Arabic therefore, you will need a translator.
- You have to complete other requirements like application forms, photographs, medical forms, and order forms.
- Processing generally takes between 2 and 3 business days.
Saudi Business Visa Fees
It is important that you know the Saudi business visa fees before starting your application. In this way, you can find these fees:
- A Saudi business visa with a single entry costs 807 SAR.
- A Saudi business visa with multiple entries costs 1,107 SAR.
- Make sure you pay all fees related to your visa so that it can be approved more easily.
Conclusion
Obtaining a Saudi business visa requires good preparation. Therefore, you must ensure that you have all the necessary documents such as proof of financial solvency or the invitation letter.
Additionally, you must know the procedures for applying and eligibility for this visa. When submitting your application, you must know how to check business visit visa status. This way, you will be able to know about your status updates and follow the necessary instructions.
Lastly, you cannot plan your entire trip at the last minute, you must take into account the delay time of these documents. Additionally, you should have a contingency plan in case your application is delayed.
For this reason, if you want this entire process to be as fast and efficient as possible, you must have the help of professionals. In this case, you can contact us so that our group of experts can advise you on the entire process of applying for your visa and everything you need to know when traveling to the KSA.
