Overview of Saudi visit visas
Saudi Arabia offers several categories of visit visa for tourism, family visits, and business. Since 2019, the Kingdom has opened its borders to leisure tourists from dozens of nationalities, with a streamlined eVisa portal and Visa on Arrival at major airports. For Pakistani nationals, a Saudi visit visa is obtained through the embassy or licensed travel agents, with the process now largely digitised.
Types of Saudi visit visa
Choose the right category before applying:
- Tourist visa (eVisa) — for nationalities eligible on the official Saudi tourism portal (visa.visitsaudi.com). Multi-entry, valid 1 year, 90-day stays. Pakistani nationals are eligible
- Family visit visa — to visit a first-degree relative who is a Saudi resident. Sponsored by the relative
- Business visit visa — for meetings, conferences, and trade. Requires a letter of invitation from a Saudi company
- Umrah visa — for performing the minor pilgrimage. Issued through licensed Umrah travel agents only
- Transit visa — for those with a layover exceeding 12 hours at a Saudi airport
Tourist eVisa: documents required
For Pakistani nationals applying through the Saudi eVisa portal:
- Valid passport — minimum 6 months validity from the date of entry, with at least one blank page
- Recent passport-size photograph — white background, taken within the last 6 months
- Valid credit or debit card to pay the visa fee (approximately SAR 440 / USD 117, including insurance)
- Email address for confirmation and correspondence
- Travel itinerary or hotel booking confirmation (not always required but good to have)
Note: Tourist eVisa processing is typically instant to 24 hours via the official Saudi tourism eVisa portal. There is no need to visit the embassy for this category.
Family visit visa: documents required
If you are visiting a family member residing in Saudi Arabia, the sponsoring relative initiates the process through the Saudi Absher or Muqeem portal. You will typically need:
- Sponsor's Iqama (Saudi residency permit) — clear copy, front and back
- Proof of relationship — marriage certificate, birth certificate (attested and translated into Arabic if in Urdu/English)
- Applicant's passport — valid for 6+ months
- Passport-size photographs (white background)
- Completed visa application form as generated by the sponsor online
- Return air ticket booking confirmation
- Bank statement showing financial means (last 3 months)
- For women under 45: an approved mahram must accompany them or the sponsor must confirm guardianship
Processing time and fees
Typical timelines for Pakistani applicants:
- Tourist eVisa: instant to 24 hours. Fee: SAR 440 (includes 1-year compulsory travel insurance)
- Family visit visa: 5–15 working days after the sponsor initiates the application
- Business visit visa: 10–20 working days
- Umrah visa: 7–14 days when applied through a licensed travel agent
Note: Processing times can be longer during peak periods (Ramadan, Hajj season). Apply at least 4–6 weeks in advance during these months.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Based on the most frequent reasons for delays and refusals:
- Expired or soon-to-expire passport — always check your passport's expiry before applying. Renew if it expires within 6 months
- Unclear or old photographs — Saudi systems use biometric data. Use a recent, high-quality photo with plain white background
- Missing sponsorship documents for family visas — sponsors often forget to submit the iqama copy or relationship proof
- Incorrect travel category — applying as a tourist when the actual purpose is a family visit can cause issues at immigration
- Overlooking the medical insurance requirement — tourist eVisa includes it automatically; for other categories, purchase travel insurance separately
- Not attesting documents — educational or marriage certificates for long-stay visas must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Pakistan and the Saudi Embassy
Entry and what to expect at the border
When you arrive at a Saudi airport or land border:
- Biometric data (fingerprints and photo) is taken on the first entry into the Kingdom
- Immigration officers may ask for proof of accommodation and return ticket — carry hotel confirmation printouts
- Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter Makkah or Madinah — check Google Maps for the designated non-Muslim entry points around these cities
- Customs allow personal items, medication with a prescription letter, and standard electronics without issue
How our consultants can help
Our visa team reviews all documents before submission, follows up on status, and handles any embassy correspondence on your behalf. We also offer bundled Umrah + family visit arrangements for extended stays. Contact us for a free document checklist review specific to your situation.