Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa for Indians
Apr 23, 2024
Securing a Saudi Arabia visit visa from India is essential for experiencing the kingdom's rich heritage, modern marvels, and cultural landmarks.
Key Takeaways:
- Visa Types: Tourist, Business, Family Visit, Umrah
- Application Process: Passport, application form, proof of accommodation and finances
- Travel Tips: Best attractions, appropriate dress code, and safety guidelines
A Comprehensive Guide to Obtaining a Saudi Arabia Visit Visa from India
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has long fascinated travellers worldwide, not just India, with its enchanting desserts, traditional souks, modern skyscrapers, and fantastic gastronomy. Inevitably, the demand for a Saudi Arabia visa from India has spiked in recent years among all ardent travellers in the country - whether going for Umrah pilgrimage to Makkah, scouting business opportunities in various fields, or simply for leisure.
Obtaining a valid Saudi Arabia visiting visa from India is a must if you wish to see this enigmatic land, boasting a wealth of heritage sites, outdoor adventures, museums, and nuanced natural landscapes.
Saudi Arabia Tourist Attractions and Landmarks
Those obtaining a Saudi Arabia visiting visa from India for their very first trip are in for a treat. This fascinating country has an endless supply of attractions catering to all possible ages and preferences. Here are some good places to start:
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Shaqra and Ushaiger Tour
Located in central Saudi Arabia, Shaqra city is renowned for its heritage treasures, centuries-old date palm groves, beautiful parks, and the Tuwaiq Escarpment. A tour of the Ushaiger Heritage Village in the heart of Najd offers visitors a unique glimpse into the life of Bedouins who inhabited the region over 1,500 years ago.
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Al Murabba Historical Palace
When acquiring a Saudi Arabia tourist visa for Indian travellers, a top place to visit is the magnificent Al Murabba Historical Palace. Established by the order of the renowned late King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the grand palace was built 2 kilometres from old Riyadh. It became the official residence of the king in 1939, when he moved in with his family.
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Kingdom Centre Tower
The impressive 99-storey tower in the heart of Riyadh is among the tallest, most striking structures in Saudi Arabia. It boasts offices, hotels, malls, and luxury apartments, its unique inverted arch standing out against a myriad of other skyscrapers. The tower's main highlight is its sky bridge, located right at the top and shaped like an enclosed corridor.
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King Abdulaziz Historical Center
A cultural and historical landmark in Riyadh, the King Abdulaziz Historical Center (KAHC) is an urban civic complex that features a mosque and a museum. A crucial Ziyarat site during Umrah, it pays homage to the founding of Saudi Arabia. It is wheelchair accessible with ample modern amenities, making it easy for people of all ages to visit without hassles.
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Al Ahsa
Among the must-see sites when booking a Saudi Arabia visa from India, the Al Ahsa Oasis is a UNESCO-recognised region home to some of the oldest-ever settlements in human history. Expect to encounter lush greenery, rocky mountains, flowing natural springs hemmed by date palm groves, and enigmatic archaeological sites dating back thousands of years.
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Diriyah
Its name roughly translates to "place of armour;" Diriyah is famed for being the birthplace of the very first Saudi state, established back in the 1740s. Also UNESCO-recognised, the heritage site is celebrated for its traditional mud-brick architecture and rich cultural attractions, including the At-Turaif World Heritage Site, Wadi Hanifah Valley, Bujairi Terrace, and Al-Zawihra Mosque.
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Najran
Nestled along the Yemeni border, Najran is among the fastest-growing Saudi cities, boasting strategic sectors like agriculture, mining, and tourism. The Emirate Palace is its top attraction, akin to a fortress and surrounded by impressive walls and towering watchtowers. Najran is also home to other pivotal sites like Wadi Najran and King Fahd Park.
Importance of Visit Visa for Indian travellers
Whether you’re seeking an India Umrah visa or wish to tour Saudi Arabia on a family trip, recognising the region’s cultural value is paramount. Here are a few fantastic and absolutely vital places to include in your travel itinerary to Saudi from India:
- Al Baqi Cemetery: Located in Madinah and otherwise known as Jannat al-Baqi, it's the oldest cemetery in Islamic history. The sacred place is home to the graves of some of the relatives and companions of the blessed Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), and is also the resting place of several Haj pilgrims.
- Black Stone: A significant relic of Islam, the Black Stone is also known as Hajar al-Aswad and is located within the Grand Mosque in Madinah. It's set in a silver frame into the Kabah's eastern wall, and is the beginning and end point of Umrah's Tawaf ritual.
- Rock Art in the Ha'il Region: A World Heritage Site, the rock carvings date back around 10,000 years, depicting animals and humans against the backdrop of a desert. The rock art has two components: Jabal Al-Manjor and Jabal Raat at Shuwaymis, and Jabal Umm Sinman at Jubbah.
- Hegra (Mada'in Salih): Located in the Al-'Ula region, it's the largest preserved Nabataean civilization site in the region, featuring several monuments, tombs, carved architecture, and more. The site's architectural and decorative influences include Egyptian, Hellenistic, Assyrian, and Phoenician, among others.
- Makkah & Madinah: The holy city of Makkah is renowned for being the birthplace of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), while Madinah is where the blessed Prophet (PBUH) is laid to rest. Both are the holiest sites in Islam, attracting millions of Muslims worldwide for Hajj and Umrah - a must-visit when heading to Saudi Arabia from India!
Understanding the Saudi Arabia Visit Visa
Before applying for a Saudi Arabia tourist visa for Indians, it helps to know about the various types of visas and which one is applicable for you.
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Types of Visit Visas for Indian citizens
Tourist Visas: A Saudi Arabia tourist visa for Indians is a must if you wish to travel to this remarkable country. Indians are not eligible (except in certain cases) to apply for Saudi visas online, and must apply at the nearest Saudi Embassy or via relevant authorities. You can get a single-entry visa allowing a 30-day stay and valid for 90 days, or a multiple-entry visa allowing a 90-day stay and valid for a year.
Business Visas: Also known as Saudi Work Visit Visa or Saudi Commercial Visa, it allows Indians to travel to Saudi Arabia for work or business. With this visa, you can participate in work meetings, conferences, client fairs, and even set up a business. It comes in single and multiple-entry variants, with relevant validity periods for each type.
Family Visit Visas: The family visit visa Saudi Arabia offers Indians allows you to travel to the region to meet family members and other closely-related loved ones, and therefore, also take part in tourist activities. A single-entry Saudi family visit visa is valid for 30 days, while a multiple-entry family visa is valid for 90 days. The processing time for family visit visas to Saudi is approximately 3 days.
Umrah Visa: Indian Muslims can apply for an online visa for Umrah to travel to Saudi Arabia for this sacred Islamic pilgrimage. You must have a confirmed flight-plus-hotel stay to qualify for an Umrah visa. Booking Umrah packages through a reliable agency can mitigate your Saudi Umrah visa cost and overall travel expenses to a large extent.
Ideal Duration of Saudi Arabia Trip from India
The biggest decision when applying for a Saudi Arabia tourist visa for Indian travellers is to determine the length of stay. If you're going for Umrah, consider staying for at least 10 to 15 days, as it gives you ample time to perform the pilgrimage rituals and Ziyarat tours.
If you're booking a visit visa from India to Saudi Arabia, you can make it a 3-week trip, allowing you to cover a majority of the region's attractions at a comfortable pace. Many recommend applying for a family visit visa to Saudi Arabia and staying for 3 months. It is advisable to visit between October and April for more pleasant weather conditions.
Step-by-Step Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa Application Process
- Passport: To apply for a visit visa for Saudi Arabia from India, you must have an Indian passport with at least 6 months of validity.
- Visa Application Form: Complete the Saudi visa application form by filling in all relevant details, such as name, date of birth, current nationality, religion, address, profession, and marital status, to name a few.
- Proof of Accommodation and Itinerary: As part of obtaining a Saudi Arabia tourist visa for Indians, you must provide proof of your accommodation, travel, and itinerary.
- Financial Documents: You must submit proof of financial stability, showing that you can support yourself while in Saudi Arabia. Acceptable documents include proof of income, bank statements, credit card statements, etc.
- Tracking the Visa Application Status: Pay the current Saudi Arabia visit visa price in India at the time of submitting your application, and wait for the process to be done. In the meantime, track your application status using the reference number provided to you.
- Saudi Arabia's Visa Policies and Regulations: Keep track of any changes or new introductions in Saudi Arabia’s visa policies and regulations. Make modifications to your application likewise.
FAQs about Saudi Arabia Visa
- What is the validity period of a Saudi Arabia visit visa?
A Saudi Arabia visa from India is valid for a maximum period of 90 days. The visa allows Indians to visit Saudi to meet family members, and also take part in tourist activities.
- Can the Saudi Arabia visit visa be extended?
No, a visit visa for Saudi Arabia from India cannot be extended. If you wish to stay or visit the country longer than the permitted period, you must leave Saudi Arabia and apply for a fresh, new visit visa.
- Are there any restrictions on activities permitted on a visit visa to Saudi Arabia?
Yes, there are. A Saudi Arabia visit visa from India does not permit travellers to work, study, or carry out business activities in the country. Also, the tourist visa does not permit non-Muslims entry into the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
- Is travel insurance mandatory for Saudi Arabia visit visa holders from India?
No, travel insurance is not mandatory when securing a visit visa from India to Saudi Arabia. However, it is still highly recommended to have travel insurance, as it guarantees your trip’s financial security.
- What should I do if my Saudi Arabia visa application is rejected in India?
If your Saudi Arabia visiting visa from India is rejected, the first thing to do is review the reason for the rejection - misinformation, eligibility mismatch, documentation error, etc. You can contact the embassy for more details, and then reapply for a new Saudi visit visa without the prior errors.
- Can I perform Umrah multiple times with the same Saudi Arabia visa from India?
No, you cannot. A visa for Umrah from India is single-entry, which means it is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. As such, you cannot use the same visa again after the validity period expires.
- Is there a quota system for Umrah visas for Indian pilgrims?
Besides an affordable Umrah visa cost from India, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MHU) has launched a unified platform for visa applications and extended the Umrah visa from India to 90 days. For Haj 2024, it has an estimated quota of 175,025 pilgrims from India.
- What is Saudi Arabia’s dress code for women and men?
As such, there is no specified dress code for Saudi men and women. However, women in Saudi Arabia typically wear the black abaya when they are outside the home. When visiting Saudi Arabia from India, you, too, are expected to dress modestly, especially in holy sites.
- What is considered appropriate dress at Saudi beaches?
Whether obtaining a family visit visa Saudi Arabia has to offer, or securing one for Umrah, if you're visiting the beaches, understand that these are public spaces. Women are expected to dress in modest swimsuits, covering their entire bodies. Men can wear traditional thobes or long pants, avoiding shorts, sleeveless shirts or tight t-shirts.
- Is alcohol allowed for tourists in Saudi Arabia?
No, alcohol is not permitted for tourists in Saudi Arabia, and flouting this rule could result in public flogging, fines, deportation, and imprisonment. However, the Saudi government has recently relaxed alcohol laws, opening the first government-run liquor store. Authorised visitors meeting qualifying criteria can purchase set amounts per month.
- Are nightclubs allowed in Saudi Arabia for tourists?
There are no typical bars and clubs to visit when touring Saudi Arabia from India, as religious law forbids it. However, there are late-night entertainment venues, cafés, and restaurants in areas like Riyadh Boulevard World.
- Is PDA (Public Displays of Affection) allowed in Saudi Arabia?
Public displays of affection are illegal and unacceptable in Saudi Arabia, leading to severe consequences, such as legal action, verbal warnings, incarceration, etc. Frowned upon PDA in Saudi Arabia typically includes hugging, holding hands, kissing, or even sitting close to members of the opposite sex.
- Is Saudi Arabia safe for Indian citizens to visit?
There is no need to worry about safety when securing a Saudi Arabia visa from India, as the region is generally considered safe and crime-free. Nevertheless, some amount of caution is prudent, as there may be chances of thefts in crowded areas, malls, and other public spaces.
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