With eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, hundreds of historical monuments, and its status as Qatar’s only land border, Saudi Arabia is a frequent travel spot. Qatar citizens can travel to the country without any additional steps. However, in case you’re a resident, you’ll probably have to apply for a visa, regardless of whether you’re going as a tourist, performing Umrah, or looking for a business opportunity. Here’s everything you need to know about applying for a KSA visa from Qatar.

Qatar nationals are part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and can travel to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) without a visa. On the other hand, Qatar residents without citizenship will likely have to obtain a document allowing their entry. This can be done either online, upon arrival in KSA, or, in some cases, in the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Doha. 

The types of visas you can apply for depend on your citizenship. For example, citizens of the Republic of the Philippines, India, Pakistan, and the U.S. need a visa prior to departure to Saudi Arabia, while citizens of the Schengen area can request a visa on arrival. 

Most Saudi visas are available for a single or multiple entries. However, at the moment, a multiple-entry visa is not available for the following nationalities: Egypt, Pakistan, Yemen, India, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Nigeria, Algeria, Indonesia, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Libya. They can, of course, still apply for a single-entry visa.

In case you’re not sure of the process for your citizenship, visit the KSA site. Then, click on Explore Your Visa Options, choose the visa type you’d like to apply for, and enter details about the purpose of your visit, your nationality, and residence. 

You’ll then get the info on visas you can apply for and whether you can complete the process online or at the embassy.

Here’s the general list of documents required for a KSA visa from Qatar. Bear in mind that children under 18 must submit their application through a parent.

Specific visa types may require additional documents. Authorities reserve the right to request additional documentation before approving the visa. 

Tourist visa

You can apply for either a multiple-entry or single-entry tourist visa, and both of them allow for a maximum of 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia. The multiple-entry one is valid for one year, while a single-entry visa expires in 90 days. As a resident of GCC, you can apply for this visa online and receive it via email once approved. 

With this visa, you can perform Umrah but not Hajj. 

Fees: 

• QAR 291 (refundable)

• QAR 38 for digital services (non-refundable)

• QAR 38 for insurance (non-refundable)

Processing time: 1–3 working days 

Family visa 

A family visit visa can also be a multiple or a single entry. Multiple-entry visas allow for a 90-day stay over the course of one year, while a single-entry one is valid for 90 days. To obtain it, you must have an invitation from a Saudi Arabian resident, and they need to start the visa process for you. The invitation letter must be certified by the Chamber of Commerce. 

Under this visa, you can visit your family and friends, and travel to different cities, but you cannot perform the Hajj pilgrimage. 

Fees: 

• QAR 291 (refundable)

• QAR 38 for digital services (non-refundable)

• QAR 38 for insurance (non-refundable)

Processing time: 2–5 working days

Medical visa

A medical visa is approved for those who seek medical assistance in Saudi Arabia and can be issued for one or multiple entries. For this visa, you’ll have to obtain a letter from a Saudi medical clinic and a medical examination proving the need for assistance in the country.

Fees: 

• QAR 291 (refundable)

• QAR 38 for digital services (non-refundable)

• QAR 38 for insurance (non-refundable)

Processing time: 1–3 working days

Transit visa

If you’re passing through Saudi Arabia on your way to another destination and you’re planning on leaving the airport, you have to apply for a transit visa. It allows you to stay in the country for no more than 96 hours and is valid for one entry. 

You’ll need a visa regardless of whether you’re traveling by land, air, or sea, and you’ll apply via the KSA or MOFA websites, or your airline. To obtain it, you have to provide your passport and residence information, as well as your flight number. 

Fees: Around QAR 40, depending on how you apply.

Processing time: Less than 24 hours

Business trip visa

A Saudi visa for Qatar residents who need to attend meetings, seminars, conferences, business events, or create partnerships is called a business visa. It’s a temporary permit that prevents employees from signing or seeking a permanent employment contract while in Saudi Arabia.

A company from Saudi Arabia must first fill out the application, requesting a visit from an employee residing in Qatar. They (or the employee) have to provide a letter of invitation, proof of relationship, and an explanation of the business purpose of the visit. 

Fees:

• QAR 291 (refundable)

• QAR 38 for digital services (non-refundable)

• QAR 38 for insurance (non-refundable)

Processing time: 1–2 working days

Student visa 

When a student is accepted into a Saudi educational institution, the institution becomes the sponsor and obtains the letter of authorization from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With this letter, the applicant can begin their student visa application. For this, they need original diplomas and copies certified by the Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission, a birth certificate, a referral note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, proof of a clean criminal record, and a completed medical exam. 

At the moment, the application can only be completed in person, at the Saudi Embassy in Doha. But, within the next few months, applications will be processed via the KSA website.

Fees range from QAR 291 to QAR 500

Processing time: 4–5 working days

Work visa

To apply for a work visa, you need to obtain an invitation letter from a Saudi Arabian organization or a company certified by MOFA, as well as the Saudi Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, you need a certified copy of your diploma, proof of a clean criminal record, a completed medical exam, and an employment contract signed by a Saudi employer. The contract should be certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.

At the moment, the application can only be completed in person, at the Saudi Embassy in Doha. 

Fees depend heavily on the circumstances and can reach up to QAR 1,000

Processing time: Between 3 weeks and 2 months 

Umrah visa 

This type of visa is created for Muslims who want to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Note that you can obtain a tourist visa, or any other visa, and you will be able to perform Umrah. However, if you want to perform Umrah during the Hajj season, you must apply for a Hajj visa specifically. 

Both visa types can be requested via the Nusuk platform or the KSA/MOFA site. If you opt for Nusuk, you’ll also be able to book your accommodation and transportation on the website. Note that pilgrims under 18 years of age must have a legal guardian with them during the pilgrimage. Women do not have to be accompanied by a male guardian.

Fees: 

• QAR 291 (refundable)

• QAR 38 for digital services (non-refundable)

• QAR 38 for insurance (non-refundable)

Processing time: 1–14 working days

Note: Insurance fees can vary based on the insurance provider you select. 

Recently, the application has been switched from the MOFA website to the KSA. KSA is still in its Beta version, so you may experience some bugs and disruptions during the process. So for now, we recommend opting for MOFA instead. 

1. Go to the MOFA website and choose Register to create an account.

2. Once you confirm your email, you’ll get access to the platform. You can use the home page to check the visa status once you apply. To submit your form, click on Add a New Application.

3. Fill out your information: visa type, nationality, and residence, personal and passport information.

4. There is a special section for sponsor info — to be filled out if you’re visiting a family member or applying for a business visa. 

5. Submit your application once you’re done and pay the visa fees.

You will receive the visa by email. It contains a QR code you can show to border officials. 

How to check a Saudi visa online

A Saudi Arabia visa check can be performed via the MOFA website. You won’t have to log in; simply go to Inquiry for applied requests on the right, set your query type (visa application or document number), and input your application number to get the status.

Alternatively, you can check your status via the KSA website. Go to the Track Your Application section on the main page and enter your application or visa number.