How does one get a visa to go to Saudi Arabia?
I am not going for the Hajj or for the Jeddah Season Events.
I understand that there is no tourist visa for Saudi Arabia, but I have friends there to visit.
This website has a visa application form for "personal visit" but everything is in Arabic, even if you click on "English"!
Is there any way to do the application without the assistance of someone (or some translation device) that knows Arabic?
Best Answer
UPDATE as at September 28, 2019:
Effective today, Saudi Arabia has started issuing tourist visas to the nationals of 49 countries, including Canada (which was the country originally being asked about in this question)
eVisas can be obtained via the official Saudi Visa Website, or on arrival in Saudi via a kiosk, at a cost of around US$125.
Original Answer:
Realistically, you probably can't - at least, not at the moment.
Saudi Arabian visas are incredibly difficult to get. As you've said, there is no Tourist visa, and presumably you don't qualify for a Hajj visa (and even if you did, they only allow entry to specific areas and on specific dates - you can't travel within the country).
In general, the only visa a Canadian could get to access the country generally would be a business visa - but the chances of getting one of these without a valid business reason is basically zero. The paperwork required to justify your application is significant, as are the costs (my last Saudi visa cost over US$1600). All applications need to be done via an authorized agent, of which there are only a few - and as you've discovered several parts of the process need to be completed in Arabic.
The Saudi government stated in 2013 that they were going to start issuing tourist visas to citizens of select countries, however to date this has not started - with the latest estimates being by the end of 2019. However even if that occurs, Canada was not on the published list of countries that were to be included - although that could well change by the time they start issuing visas.
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How long does it take to get a visa to Saudi Arabia?
How long it takes to receive the tourist visa for Saudi Arabia? Time taken to issue an e-Visa is 5-30 minutes in most cases and it takes 1-2 business days to issue visa through Embassy or Consulate and it is valid for 1 year. All visas are checked at the airport, before taking off to Saudi Arabia.What are the requirements for visit visa in Saudi Arabia?
- Duly filled application form.
- Passport valid for at least six months.
- Health insurance must be purchased from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ...
- Proof of accommodation (hotel, residence, etc.) ...
- Visa fees (SAR 300) and insurance (SAR 140). ...
- Applicants must be 18+ unless accompanied by a legal guardian.
Is it easy to get a visa to Saudi Arabia?
It is easy to apply for a visa to Saudi Arabia for U.S. citizens. The visa to Saudi Arabia from the USA can be requested from your home country and the process is quick and straightforward. Everything can be done through the online application form where the applicant can fill in and complete all the required details.Can I go to Saudi without visa?
Visitors to Saudi Arabia must obtain a visa unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. Some visitors are eligible to obtain a visa online or on arrival while others needs to apply at one of the Saudi diplomatic missions in advance.How to get a Tourist Visa to Saudi Arabia fast \u0026 online in 2022 - SAUDI ARABIA is open for tourism
More answers regarding how does one get a visa to go to Saudi Arabia?
Answer 2
In September 2019 Saudi Arabia announced it is going to open its borders for tourists with a new visa regime.
BBC: Saudi Arabia's tourist spots you are now free to visit
The Saudi Visa Portal lists Canada as one of the 49 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania eligible for the new visa regime.
According to the portal:
The eVisa will be a one-year, multiple entry visa, allowing tourists to spend up to 90 days in the country.
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