Saudi Arabia Consulate General Sydney is the Saudi passport and visa issuing authority office in the city of Sydney. It is located at the north western of Sydney CBD, Australia. Its service area of operations covers the states of New South Wales and Queensland. Saudi Arabia Consulate General Sydney grants Family visit visa for Saudi Arabia with multiple entry e-visa to business people, family visitors, transit passengers as well as foreign tourists who want to visit Saudi Arabia for tourism activity.
How Much Family Visit Visa In Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is well known country in the world because it is rich in oil. Not only this it is also loaded with a number of Waterfall and beautiful beaches.Saudi Arabia is also popular for its modern cities and shopping markets.This is one of the countries where for a foreigner or a visitor to get a visa entry is quite difficult.Saudi Arabia offers many excellent facilities for those coming to visit, either on holiday or to live. Visitors from western countries can obtain a tourist visa on arrival, which is valid for 30 days, but allows multiple entries over a two-year period.
Saudi Arabia Visit Visa For Indians – Definitive Guide
With over 13 percent of the population in Saudi Arabia being Indians, Indians are bound to have family members living in the country. To visit your family living in the country, you will need a Family Visit Visa Saudi Arabia.
What is Saudi Arabia Family Visit Visa?
For people other than those from the GCC countries, and from a few other visa-exempt nations, everyone requires a permit to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, if you are visiting a first-degree family member, you can apply for a Saudi Family Visit Visa. Valid for a maximum of 90 days, or as per approval by the Ministry of External Affairs in Saudi. This permit allows you to visit the country for the purpose of meeting family, and thereby can even take part in tourism activities. The visa comes in the form of a vignette in your passport.
How to Get a Saudi Arabia Family Visit Visa?
The process of applying for the family visit permit is quite different from other countries. The process although available online, for Indians, the mode is offline. Not just that, the Saudi embassy does not accept applications submitted directly. As a result, you will have to contact a travel agency to do it for you. Now before applying, ensure that you check the eligibility criteria for the visa. Once this is done, you may proceed to make the application as follows –
- The first step involves collecting all the necessary documents required.
- Once you have them, you can visit the MOFA Saudi website, and download the application form.
- Proceed to fill in the form. You can either type it and take a print, or print it and write it by hand. You should also keep in mind to affix your photographs, and sign wherever necessary.
- Pay the visa fees online to the travel agency. You cannot make direct payments to the embassy.
- With the application form, attach the documents and send them to the Saudi Embassy via the travel agent.
Please ensure that you fill in the correct details and that you submit the original documents. Any wrong information or forged documents can lead to a visa rejection. A denied permit is considered as a black mark in your travel history.
Eligibility for Saudi Family Visit Visa
To be able to apply for the visit permit, you will have to meet the following criteria –
- You must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure.
- The family member you are visiting must be of the first degree such as children, parents, siblings, or also, spouse, in-laws, etc. You cannot apply for a family visit permit if they are your uncles, aunts, etc.
- The person inviting you must hold a valid family visit visa invitation letter approved by the MOFA in Saudi Arabia.
- The person inviting you must hold a valid Iqama (residence permit)
- Your sole purpose of the visit must be to visit your family.
When You have this Visa
When you receive your visit permit, keep in mind the following key points to ensure a hassle-free journey –
- Make a note of the vis expiry date. You will not be able to stay in the country beyond this period. If you do stay, it is considered a criminal offence, and you will be fined and deported.
- You cannot engage in work activities while you are on a visit permit.
- You must strictly abide by the rules and regulations of Saudi while you are in the country. You must also respect their culture and traditions.
Documents Required for Saudi Family Visit Visa
The list of documents as per the Saudi family visit visa requirements, that are necessary for the application are mentioned as follows –
- An original passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel. Any old passports need to be submitted as well
- 2 photographs as per regulations.
- Family Visit Visa Invitation letter approval from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, KSA
- Copy of Iqama of the Sponsor
- Passport copy of the sponsor
- Travel insurance issued by the Saudi embassy as per your application
- Proof of relationship with the relative inviting you.
Photo Specification of Saudi Family Visit Visa
- 2 identical passport size photos
- Recently taken
- Coloured, with a white background
- Dimensions: 35mm X 45mm
- Face should cover 80% of the photo
- Facial expression – neutral
- Head in a central location
- Eyeglasses are not permitted
- Headwear – permitted in case of religious reasons
Saudi Family Visit Visa Processing Time
Due to the lower volume of applications, the family visit permit is generally issued in about 4-5 working days. However, depending on a few factors such as the time taken to get the invitation approved, a higher volume of applications, season, etc, this may take longer to be approved.
Saudi Family Visit Visa Fee
The total fees depend on several factors such as the number of entries, service charges by the travel agency, etc. Since the fees can change without prior notice, it is necessary to confirm the amount before you make the application.
| Entry | Stay Duration | Validity | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Tourist Visa – Normal | 30 days | 3 months | 16500.0 |
| visit Single entry Normal | 90 days | 3 months | 16000.0 |
How to Check Saudi Family Visit Visa Status?
Once you have submitted your visa application, you will receive it back via your travel agent within the stipulated processing time. In the meanwhile, you can check your Saudi Family Visit Visa status by contacting the agency, or by emailing the embassy directly with your application number.