VISA REGULATIONS

All Americans seeking to visit the Kingdom must obtain entry visas from the nearest Saudi Arabian Royal Embassy or Consulate in the United States (see appendix II for addresses). However, American citizens, upon the written recommendation of their embassy in the relevant country, can obtain entry visas to the Kingdom from any of the Saudi diplomatic missions all over the world (see appendix III for addresses). An exit (or an exit and re-entry) visa is required for any person with a residence permit. Exit visas are issued by a Passport Department in the Kingdom on the request of the Saudi sponsor or employer.

Apart from the UMRAH or Hajj visa (a visit to Holy Makkah), the following three types of entry visa are issued by the Saudi Arabian Royal Embassy or Consulates in the U.S.:

A. A Short Visit Business Visa

For a business visa, representatives of American corporations must contact Saudi Arabian companies to sponsor their visits to the Kingdom. An original letter of invitation, issued on the Saudi Arabian host company’s letterhead, is required. The letter of invitation must include all passport details of the visiting representative. It must be signed and notarized by the general manager of the Saudi host company and be certified by the relevant local chamber of commerce and industry in the Kingdom. The original letter of invitation can be sent to the visiting representative, or can be directly mailed or faxed to the relevant Saudi Arabian Royal Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. Along with the letter of invitation, the following must be submitted:

(1) The white Visa Application Form (obtainable from any of the Royal Consulates General of Saudi Arabia in the U.S., see appendix II for address) filled out completely.

(2) A passport valid for at least six months from the date of submitting the Visa Application.

(3) One photograph.

(4) A letter from the U.S. company sponsoring the applicant.

(5) A money order for U.S. $54.00 made payable to the Royal Embassy or relevant Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in the U.S.

(6) A copy of the applicant’s Resident Alien Card (i.e. Green Card), if applicable.

(7) A self-addressed stamped envelope with all mail applications.

B. An Employment Block Visa:

(1) The white Visa Application Form (obtainable from any of the Royal Consulates General of Saudi Arabia in the U.S., see appendix II for addresses) filled out completely.

(2) Two photographs.

(3) A passport valid for at least six months from the application’s submittal date.

(4) A letter from the Saudi employer indicating the number and date of the applicant's employment block visa.

(5) A copy of the signed employment contract.

(6) a) A copy of the applicant's university degree and transcript, legalized by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (see appendix II for address). or,

b) A copy of the applicant’s technical, professional or academic diploma legalized by the Authentication Office of the U.S. Department of State (see appendix IX for address).

(7) A letter of release if applicant worked previously in the Kingdom.

(8) A money order for U.S. $267.00, made payable to the Royal Embassy or relevant Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in the U.S.

(9) A completed medical form (obtainable from the Royal embassy or any Consulates General of Saudi Arabia in the U.S.).

C. A Family Visit or Resident Visa:

 Requirements for this type of visa and the UMRAH or HAJJ visas can be obtained from the Royal Embassy or Consulate general of Saudi Arabia near you.