The Saudi government has pushed for investment in domestic universities, reversing the current trend of Saudi nationals being funded to attend universities in the United States, Europe, and Canada. Scholarships are available for students from all over the world at newer universities, such as the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. The first step toward studying in the Kingdom is of course contacting the school or program of interest and following the application guidelines. Most programs require a scholarship for international students, making them quite competitive. Even if you get accepted into the program, you must still apply for a student visa. Student visas, above all, allow international student to access their scholarships. Admitted students may not be granted visas at the Saudi embassy, causing them to lose their place at the school. As a result, it is critical for students to carefully follow instructions for the visa application process. Student visas typically allow for multiple re-entries as long as the student does not spend more than 13 months outside the Kingdom. Do you want to know how to apply for a student visa in Saudi Arabia? Maybe you’ve applied before, but your application has been rejected, and you’re wondering what went wrong. This is the place you need to be, and this article was tailor-made for you. Here you will find everything you need to know, as well as everything you need to do, to apply for a student visa in Saudi Arabia the right way. Make sure you read to the end to get a complete understanding of how to apply for a Saudi Arabia student visa.

Types of Student Visa in Saudi Arabia

Student visas in Saudi Arabia are not uniquely categorized. But regardless of this, I’ll be showing you other types of visa types available in Saudi Arabia.

1. Saudi Arabia e-visa

Since the introduction of the Saudi Arabian e-visa, passport holders from over 40 countries have been able to enter the Kingdom through a streamlined online process. Anyone who is not exempt from visa requirements but does not qualify for an e-visa must apply for a Saudi Arabian visa at their Embassy or Consulate. An e-visa can be issued for purposes of tourism, family visits, or business. In addition to the nationality requirements, you must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Saudi Arabia e-visa:

You must be at least 18 years old (minors have to travel accompanied by an adult)You must have a valid email address.Your passport must be valid for at least six months more.You must enter Saudi Arabia using the same passport that you applied with.

Steps on how to Apply the e-Visa

If you are eligible for an e-visa, you have to apply through the official tourism website of Saudi Arabia. The application process for a Saudi Arabia e-visa is simple. You will need to:

Visit the e-visa application website.Click the “Apply Now” button.Fill out the Saudi Arabia Visa Application FormPay the Saudi Arabia visa feeGive some time for the e-visa processing (it usually only takes about 30 minutes)After receiving the e-visa, you can print it and use it to enter the country within 90 days.

Keep in mind that before your entry to Saudi Arabia, immigration will check your visa. When applying for a Saudi Arabia online visa, you do not need to upload any documents. All you have to do is provide your correct passport information and answer a few security-related questions. You must provide your passport information and answer all questions truthfully. During the screening, all answers to the questions asked should be without false information. If you provide any false information, there will be no entry for you. The Saudi Arabia e-visa is valid for one year and allows multiple entries. You may stay for up to 90 days per entry but no more than 180 days per year.

2. Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa

They issue the Tourist Visa for Saudi Arabia to foreign visitors who intend to visit the country for leisure purposes. They give the Tourist Visa for Saudi Arabia to citizens of a variety of countries either online or on arrival. So, those who are not eligible for an eVisa/Visa On Arrival must instead apply at a Saudi Arabian Embassy or Consulate. You can read this: How To Get an Isreal Student Visa | Step To Step Procedures

3. Saudi Arabia Business Visa

Foreigners visiting Saudi Arabia for business can enter the country using an e-visa. If you are not eligible for an e-visa, you can apply for a regular Saudi Arabia Business Visa at a Saudi Arabian Embassy/Consulate near you, in which case you must provide the following supporting documents:

Your employer’s letter, addressed to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia where you are applying, confirms that you are traveling on business.Letter of Invitation from the Saudi companyCompany registration documents from both the inviting company in Saudi Arabia and the company you work for in your home country.

4. Saudi Arabia Visit Visa

A visit visa to Saudi Arabia is issued to foreigners who wish to visit a family member or pay a personal visit to the Kingdom. If you are traveling to Saudi Arabia for a family visit and are from one of the permitted countries, you can use an e-visa. If you are not eligible for the e-visa, you will have to apply for a Saudi Arabia Visit Visa at an Embassy/Consulate in Saudi Arabia.

5. Saudi Arabia Transit Visa

If you are transiting through Saudi Arabia on your way to another country, you must have a Saudi Arabia visa unless you meet the following conditions:

You are flying into Dammam (DMM), Jeddah (JED), or Riyadh (RUH) airports.Within 12 hours, you have a confirmed onward flight ticket to a third country.You do not leave the airport’s international transit area.You have all of the necessary documents for the next country (eg. a visa)

6. Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa

Muslim pilgrims only used the Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa from all over the world who wish to enter Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj or Umrah. The Hajj Visa is free of charge at Saudi Arabia’s embassies and consulates around the world. The requirements needed for a Saudi Arabia Hajj Visa are as follows: You must meet the standard visa-issuance requirements, which are as follows:

You must have a valid passport, the validity period must be up to six months.Evidence of lodging in Saudi ArabiaA round-trip airline ticketA passport-sized photograph (s)You must get immunized against meningitis.For children aged 5 to 15: Polio and meningitis vaccinationsVaccination against polio and meningitis for children under the age of 15Vaccination against seasonal flu and meningitis for children over the age of 15For pilgrimage services such as housing at the Holy sites, guides, transportation, and so on, you must submit two certified checks or cashier’s checks to the ‘Unified Agents Office’ in Jeddah.For females: Traveling with a Mahram is a requirement, as is submitting proof of kinship.If she is traveling with an organized group and has a letter of approval from her husband, brother, or son, a woman over the age of 45 may travel alone.You must not have received a Hajj Visa within the last five years.

Keep in mind that those who qualify for a Saudi Arabia e-visa can also use it to enter the Kingdom to perform Hajj/Umrah.

7. Saudi Arabia Work Visa

If you are going to Saudi Arabia to work, you must apply for a Saudi Arabia Work Visa (also known as an Employment Visa) at one of the country’s embassies or consulates. However, your employer in Saudi Arabia must first obtain a work permit for you. The procedure is as follows:

Your employer applies to the Ministry of Labor for your Work Permit.If the application is then approved, the Ministry of Labor informs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who then issues a Visa Authorization Number.You must apply for a Saudi Arabia Work Visa at the nearest embassy or consulate

The Saudi Arabia Work Visa requirements vary depending on the situation, but they typically include:

Work Visa Documentation Authorization from the Saudi Ministry of Labor or a branch of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Sponsorship letter from a Saudi Arabian company, certified by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.A duplicate of your employment contractA certified medical practitioner’s report states that you are not infected with any contagious diseases. The published report must have been within the previous three months.Clearance from the police, issued within the last six monthsAcademic credentials/diplomas

After receiving your Saudi Work Visa and entering the Kingdom, you must apply for a Residence Permit from the Ministry of Labor.

8. Saudi Arabia Student Visa

To obtain a student visa in Saudi Arabia, you must first get accepted into a Saudi educational institution. The school must then apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for permission to issue your Student Visa. If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs approves the visa, you can apply at one of Saudi Arabia’s embassies or consulates near you. It’s a well-known fact that getting a student visa in Saudi Arabia recently is no longer a difficult process.

How do Students’ Visas Work in Saudi Arabia?

You can travel to Saudi Arabia and begin your studies once you have received your Student Visa (Residence Permit for Studying). Apart from the visas for studying and residency, there are no other visas available for Saudi Arabia foreign students. The Ministry of Education only allows students to live in the country while studying. It’s important to keep in mind that the majority of government universities are general universities, most of them specialize in fields such as petroleum and health care. Saudi citizens are usually entitled to free education and books. Many international students also study for free. Since the introduction of the Saudi Arabian eVisa, passport holders from over 40 countries have been able to enter the Kingdom through a streamlined online process. Anyone who is not exempt from visa requirements or does not qualify for an eVisa visa must apply for a Saudi Arabian visa at an Embassy or Consulate.

Requirements or Eligibility Criteria

To obtain a student visa in Saudi Arabia, you need the following requirements

An original passport that will be valid for at least six (6) months and contain at least two (2) consecutive empty visa pages.A visa referral note indicating the number and expiration date of the visa, issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs or one of its branches in Jeddah or Dammam.One (1) copy of the applicant’s original birth certificate and one (1) copy of the applicant’s original birth certificate.Your high school diploma or other prior academic credentials.A medical report in three copies, as well as all lab results, and three (3) passport-sized colored photographs with a white background. A licensed physician must issue a medical report certifying that the applicant is free of contagious diseases. The physician must have signed all the copies of the medical report, which must include their license number and address. Medical reports must be no more than three (3) months old from the date they were issued.

Applicants under the age of 16 are exempt from submitting a medical report.

A police report, issued within six (6) months of the application date, containing detailed information about the applicant’s criminal record if any.

Ways to Apply for a Student Visa

There are other ways to apply for the Visa

Applying in person at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s embassy.Mail to the Embassy at 601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037.Through the authorized travel agencies of the Embassy.

Once you have gotten the visa and you are studying in Saudi Arabia, it is critical that you do not overstay your visa’s validity period and that you follow the country’s Islamic laws and regulations. International students studying in Saudi Arabia should respect the society’s values and traditions and have a genuine reason to be there as a student. When obtaining the necessary health insurance, be sure that the insurance you choose meets all of the requirements for your visa, as Saudi Arabia’s insurance requirements are highly regulated. To avoid a difficult situation during a serious accident or illness, try to get a health insurance plan with an evacuation component, and compare each plan carefully to ensure you are getting the coverage that will carry you through your time in Saudi Arabia.

How long is the Student Visa Valid?

Frequently, they grant short-term visas to students who plan to take a short course of a language or a diploma certificate course, with the total duration often limited to 90 days (3 months). Long-term visas, on the other hand, are usually granted to students who intend to pursue degree programs that last longer than three months.

Fees and Cost of Student Visa in Saudi Arabia

The visa fee for applying for a student visa in Saudi Arabia is SAR 50, but this fee is subject to change at any time. Furthermore, you must pay VAT at the applicable rates. When applying at an Embassy or Consulate, the fee and preferred payment method are most of the time determined by the country from which you are applying. According to the most recent regulations, the visa fee should be paid only online when you are opting to get a student visa in Saudi Arabia. The applicants cannot make offline payments.

How to apply for a Student Visa in Saudi Arabia

To apply for a student visa in Saudi Arabia, you’ll need to follow these steps:

Go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.From the main page, select (E-Services).A list of services will appear for you to choose from; click on one of them (Electronic Visas).Following that, a list of all-purpose travel visas will appear.Hover over (Study Visa Request).Complete the e-form.Follow up on the request’s status, which usually takes three days.

Students’ Visa Processing Time in Saudi Arabia

Because the visa process for international students can take up to three months, depending on the country, I’ll strongly tell you to plan ahead of time. If you apply for your student visa in Saudi Arabia, it will take much less time. Standard processing – The processing of your visa application will take about 5 days for a fee of USD 180.00. (service fees included). Rush processing – you will receive your visa in three days, and the total cost will be USD 207.50. (service fees included).

Can I get Students Visa in Saudi Arabia without IELTS?

You can, without a doubt, study in Saudi Arabia without taking the IELTS exam. Saudi Arabia, unlike many European countries, does not speak English. Many international students can apply for scholarships in Saudi Arabia without taking the IELTS exam. The submission of an IELTS certificate is not required to apply for admission and scholarships at KSA universities. To meet the language requirements, candidates may also submit IELTS alternative tests like TOEFL, IBT, DET, Cambridge English Tests, PTE, and so on. Also, you can check this: How To Apply For a Student Visa In Spain | Interview, Requirements, Permit

Working While Studying in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia allows international students from all over the world to study, which allows you to deal with different cultures of people from all over the world. If you decide to work in Saudi Arabia, it will be easy to deal with specialists because they have both local and non-local specialists. Unfortunately, as a student in Saudi Arabia, you are not permitted to work. International students who wish to work in Saudi Arabia must first find work, after which the potential employer will apply for the necessary work permit. For international students, there are innumerable opportunities for post-graduate employment in Saudi Arabia. It’s wonderful to know that Saudi students studying abroad receive a small stipend from the government to help fund their education. All Saudi students studying abroad, whether on government or private scholarships, will receive $2,000 each. A student visa is a special passport endorsement issued by the government to students. Students must first enroll in a qualified educational institution before applying for a visa. Student visas are always given for the period it takes the student to complete his/her course of study, program, or work assignment. Saudi Arabia is emerging as a strong hub for higher education, particularly in STEM programs, with 29 Saudi Arabian universities ranked in the top 100 of the QS University Rankings: Arab Region 2021 and four universities ranked in the global top 250 in the QS World University Rankings by Faculty for engineering and technology. A significant proportion of adults in Saudi Arabia still lack an upper secondary education: 43%, compared to 36% on average across G20 countries and 22% on average across the OECD. In 2016, 24 percent of adults (25-64 years old) in Saudi Arabia had a tertiary qualification. King Abdul-Aziz University is one of Saudi Arabia’s free universities for international students. KAU is the best university in the country, as well as the 25th best young institution in the world. Every month, students can expect to pay around USD 1500. But tuition fees are relatively low and occasionally free. Furthermore, funding opportunities exist, and some universities, such as King Abdullah University (which offers up to USD 30,000 in expenses), even provide living expenses.

Conclusions

To pursue higher education, Saudi Arabia offers high-quality study programs. To get access to these programs provided in Saudi Arabia you’ll need to get a Student Visa in Saudi Arabia. Through the instructions given in this article, you can see that getting a student visa in Saudi Arabia is not a hard process. All you need to do is prepare all the necessary documents and follow the instructions given correctly. Best of luck with your application, and have a wonderful time as an international student. Having read this article that describes clearly how to get a student visa in Saudi Arabia, you can also look at how to get a student visa in Canada to explore your options.

References

saudiembassy.net– Student visa in Saudi Arabiarocapply.com– Saudi Arabia visa requirementsvisaguide.world– Saudi Arabia visavisacentral.com– Saudi Arabia visa requirementsflypgs.com– Saudi Arabia visa information

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