SAUDI ARABIA – Significant Visa Fee Increases Imminent [Updated]
Effective 2 October 2016, The Ministry of Labour in Saudi Arabia has announced a sharp increase in visa application fees, and introduced new fees in some cases. These increases will significantly raise costs for visitors and foreign nationals living and working in Saudi Arabia, and their employers.
[UPDATE]
Note that different rates apply in USA, Britain, the Schengen States and Turkey. For a breakdown of consular visa application fees in these countries, see this infographic.
[UPDATE]
US nationals will be exempt from the fee hike, and will continue to be issued five-year multiple-entry visit visas for a fee of SAR 500 (USD 133) as per existing bilateral agreements.
What are the new fees?
The following are the new visa fees, with the current fees (if they exist) for comparison:
| Visa Type | New Fee | Current Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Single-entry visit visa | SAR 2000 (USD 533) | SAR 25-50 (USD 6-13) |
| 6-month multiple-entry visit visa | SAR 3000 (USD 800) | SAR 25+ (USD 6+) |
| 1-year multiple-entry visit visa | SAR 5000 (USD 1333) | N/A |
| 2-year multiple-entry visit visa | SAR 8000 (USD 2133) | N/A |
| Transit visa | SAR 300 (USD 80) | N/A |
| Departure fee (seaports) | SAR 50 (USD 13) | N/A |
| Single exit/re-entry visa | SAR 200 (USD 53) up to 2 months | SAR 200 (USD 53) up to 6 months |
| Additional month single exit/entry visit visa | SAR 100 (USD 27) | N/A |
| Multiple exit/re-entry visa | SAR 500 (USD 133) up to 3 months | SAR 500 (USD 133) up to 6 months |
| Additional month multiple exit/entry visit visa | SAR 200 (USD 53) | N/A |
NOTE: The state will bear the cost of a single-entry visit visa for a visitor coming to Saudi Arabia for the first time to perform Haj or Umrah.
Action Items
- Employers of foreign nationals living and working in Saudi Arabia, or travelling there for business, should review their plans to take into account the upcoming significant visa fee hike.
