With its historical background, culture and religious values, Saudi Arabia has turned out to be a very attractive tourist attraction site among travelers across the globe. To Indian citizens, the Kingdom has diverse visa options that one has depending on the reason of visit, such as tourism, family visits, business, and religious pilgrimages. It is important to know about the visa requirements and application procedures so that the journey would be hassle free.
Saudi Arabia has come out with a number of reforms in 2025 to facilitate the visa application process, ensuring that it will be more user-friendly and efficient to international travelers. This handbook is a rich source of knowledge on the kind of visas that can be obtained, their requirements, the application process, and other pertinent facts that can help Indian citizens plan their trip to Saudi Arabia.
Types of Saudi Arabia Visas of Indian Travelers.
1. Online visa to Saudi Arabia as a tourist.
Saudi Arabia has introduced a system of eVisa online, where the tourists of specific countries including India can easily obtain a tourist visa by the help of the official portal. The eVisa is a one-year multiple-entry visa, which allows the stay of 90 days per visit. The program meets the vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia, which is to increase tourism in the country and to make the Kingdom more accessible to tourists.
Eligibility:
Indian passport holders that have a validity of six months and above.
Travelers should belong to a qualified state (India is no exception).
No prior criminal record.
Legal email address and a debit/ credit card to pay.
Application Process:
Fill in the online submission form with the right personal and travel information.
You should upload necessary documents such as a photograph of passport size and a copy of passport.
Pay visa charge with a legitimate credit / debit card.
Get eVisa in form of email when approved.
Note: eVisa is valid in tourism activities such as leisure travel, attending events, visitations to relatives and friends. It does not allow working or studying.
2. Visa Saudi Arabia Family Visit Visa.
The Saudi Family Visit Visa is a visa through which the Indian nationals can visit their immediate family members who are staying in Saudi Arabia. This visa is normally sponsored by the resident family member and has a given time length depending on the objective of the visit.
Eligibility:
The candidate has to be a direct relative (spouse, children, parents, parents-in-law) of a Saudi resident.
The Saudi resident should be working or be living legally in the Kingdom.
Evidence of relationship, marriage/ birth certificates is necessary.
Application Process:
The application is launched by the Saudi resident via the portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA): visa.mofa.gov.sa.
Fill and verify online application form.
Please provide such items as evidence of relationship and employment or residence information of the resident.
Pay the applicable visa fee.
When it is approved, the applicant may then apply the visa at the nearest Saudi consulate/embassy.
Note: The Family Visit Visa is normally granted as a short stay visa which may be extended under some consideration.
3. Saudi Arabia Business Visa
Business Visa can be applied by Indian nationals willing to visit Saudi Arabia on business activities. This visa is also applicable in attending to meetings, conferences or exploring of business opportunities.
Eligibility:
Temple Indian passport with a validity of at least six months.
Invitation letter is a Saudi company or organization.
Evidence of the business activities, including registration documents of the company.
Application Process:
Get an invitation letter of the Saudi business entity.
Send the visa application together with invitation letter and other necessary documents to the Saudi consulate or embassy closest to them.
Attend an interview, where necessary.
Upon approval you are required to pay the visa fee.
Note: Business Visa is typically given in short term stay and does not allow one to work in Saudi Arabia.
4. Saudi Arabia Work Visa
Indian nationals who have been employed in Saudi Arabia are entitled to the Work Visa. It is a visa that enables the holder to work and stay in the Kingdom.
Eligibility:
A legitimate employment opportunity by a Saudi employer.
Approved work contract.
Fitness certificate in medicine.
Saudi Embassy attested educational and professional certificates.
Application Process:
The employer is the Saudi and he makes an application to obtain a work permit on behalf of the employee.
After the approval, the employee makes an application at the closest Saudi consulate or embassy which is the Work Visa.
Provide the necessary documents such as medical and educational certificates.
Attend an interview, where necessary.
Upon approval you are required to pay the visa fee.
Important to note: Work Visa is normally one year and is renewable.
5. Saudi Arabia Student Visa
Indian students who get admission to learning institutions in Saudi Arabia are allowed to apply to a Student Visa. In this visa, the holder is permitted to stay in the Kingdom as long as his or her studies are in that country.
Eligibility:
Letter of acceptance of a certified Saudi institution of learning.
Evidence of financial support of studies and living costs.
Fitness certificate in medicine.
Application Process:
Get acceptance letter by the Saudi educational institution.
Send the visa application with the acceptance letter and other documents to the closest Saudi consulates or embassies.
Attend an interview, where necessary.
Upon approval you are required to pay the visa fee.
Remark: The Student Visa is normally valid to the period of the study program and can be renewed.
Important Considerations
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is obligatory to all travelers, who apply to receive a Saudi tourist visa.
Health Regulations: Make sure that all health-related restrictions are followed, e.g., vaccinations or medical examinations, as outlined by Saudi authorities.
Visa Validity: Make sure to verify the validity of the visa and terms to ensure that one does not overstay and risk paying a fine or being deported.
Entry Restrictions: There can be temporary entry restrictions or suspensions, resulting in special circumstances.
Conclusion
This may be a complicated route in hiring the visa application process, yet with the appropriate information and preparation, Indian travelers could have the process of visiting Saudi Arabia as a smooth sail. Regardless of the tourism, family, business, or study purpose, it is necessary to know what particular requirements and procedures each visa type assumes.
To get some personal help and guidance, one may use the services of travel agencies such as Gokite Tours specializing in organizing traveling process and visa applications in Saudi Arabia. Their experience can contribute to making the process smoother and to the consideration of any questions you might have so that you had no hassle-free. Always ensure that you keep yourself informed on the current information by the official sources and plan your trip much earlier to ensure that you have time to cover any processing time or requirements. Through this, you are bound to have an adventurous and fulfilling experience in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.