How to Check Saudi Visa

Are you planning to take a trip to Saudi Arabia? If yes, one of the most important things you need to get checked before commencing your trip is your Saudi Visa. For those who don't know, a Saudi visa is a permit issued by the authorities of Saudi Arabia that allows you to enter or leave the country. This means the visa is an important document one has to get and also verify, to prevent any issues. So, in this short article, we'll discuss how to check the status of your visa application and the necessary details you should verify in your Saudi Visa.

How to Check Application Status Online

The commonly used way to carry out a Saudi visa  check online via the MOFA (Ministry Of Foreign Affairs) website. 

Applicants are to visit the website and navigate to the option to check visa status. After this, applicants simply have to submit some details, which include:

• Passport details: Applicants can be asked to submit some information that can be found on their passport.  

• Visa Application Number: This is a personal number assigned to every Saudi visa applicant during the submission of their application form. 

• Visa Document Number: This is a documentation number given during the visa processing. 

After submitting these details, applicants can proceed to complete the captcha verification on the site, after which they can track the status of their visa application. 

How to Check Application Status Offline

To confirm the status of your Saudi Visa application offline, applicants may have to physically visit the Embassy Of Saudi Arabia available in their country of residence and enquire about the visa status. 

Alternatively, applicants can contact representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia to enquire about the status of their visa application directly. 

What Your Status Means

Your visa application status can be either approved, under review or rejected. Here is what each term means:

• Approved: This signifies that after going through every necessary process, the application request was successfully approved, meaning the applicant can proceed with travel plans according to the contract of the visa. 

• Under Review/Pending: This simply implies that the necessary processing concerning the visa application is still ongoing, with no specific verdict made yet. 

• Rejected: This means that after careful consideration of the visa application, a decision not to approve has been taken. This may be due to issues like submission of false information, absence of important documents, or applicants not meeting certain criteria. 

It's important to note that after the approval of a visa application, the visa is then issued and Applicants can then go to collect the visa. Also, if your visa expires without you visiting the country, you'll have to submit a new application. You should also confirm that every appropriate fee was successfully paid. 

The Next Step After a Visa Application Was Rejected. 

If, unfortunately, your Saudi Visa application was rejected, you should find out the reason it was not approved. If it was due to faults or issues in your submitted documents, you can correct it, and then reapply for the visa or get help from a visa agent who can help get your Saudi visa online plus check and finalize everything for you.

But, if it was rejected due to more serious issues like security, then there may be a need to submit more cogent documentation that can help your application.

How Long Does Saudi Arabia Visa Application Take?  

Typically, the time frame for the application process for a normal visa, from submission of documents to approval/issuance, is about 3-7 days. However, it's handy to note that there are different types of visas, and each has quite a different time frame.

• Urgent visa [within 24 hours] 

• Work visa [within 1-3 weeks] 

• E-visa [within 24-72 hours] 

For How Long Does a Saudi Arabia Visa Remain Valid? 

There are different types of visas, with every one of them having different validation durations. It is very important for visitors to know the exact period for which their visa is valid so as to be able to leave or apply for an extension before expiry. Not knowing the duration can lead to visitors staying longer than they should and ultimately lead to legal issues or strict punishment. Below are the types of visas and their duration periods:

• Visit Visa: As the name implies, this is a visa issued to enable one to visit family or friends in Saudi Arabia. The duration of this visa isn't specific as it is dependent on the reason for the visit. 

• Tourist Visa: This is one of the most popular types of visa. This visa permits visitors to visit for some time. The validity period of tourist visas for Saudi Arabia is 90 days, starting from the day of entry into the country. 

• Work visas: This is another type of visa granted to people visiting on a work basis. It doesn't have a specific validity period as it is dependent on the length of the job contract. The validity period ranges from a few months to years. 

However, there are other types of visas for immigrants, the difference being longer visa validity periods. Types of immigrant visas include:

• Family visas, which is a visa for family members of a citizen of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 

• Employment-based visa, which is a special visa for professionals who plan to work permanently in Saudi Arabia. 

• A permanent residency visa is another special visa granted to immigrants willing to settle in Saudi Arabia for a very long time. 

After the successful check and issuance of a visa, it is also important to ensure every detail on the visa is correct and corresponds with your other travel documents, like passports. This will help avoid any issues during your tour to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.