Saudi Arabia Announces Increased Visa Fees From 2 October

The Saudi foreign ministry announced last week that the cabinet had approved a plan to increase all visa fees from 2 October of this year. The increase in visa fees is part of the Kingdom’s attempt to enhance its cash revenues from non-oil sectors. The fee increases would apply to work, visit, residency, Umrah and pilgrimage visas, with the only exceptions being those covered by bilateral agreements with other countries.

The foreign ministry statement noted that the kingdom would bear the visa fees only for those who perform Umrah or pilgrimage for the first time. Saudi Arabia is home to around nine million foreigners who make up one-third of its total population. All foreigners are required to apply for visas to enter the kingdom for work or visit or to perform Umrah or pilgrimage.

Under the new visa proposal, the one-time entry visa fee is to be increased to SR2,000 (KD160). A six-month multi-entry visa will cost SR3,000 (KD240), while a 12-month visa will be SR5,000 (KD400) and a 24-month will be SR 8,000 (KD640).

A transit visa will cost SR300 (KD24). Anyone leaving the kingdom through a seaport will have to pay SR50 (KD4). Foreigners will pay SR200 (KD16) for a single trip abroad lasting less than two months, and SR100 (KD8) for each additional month within the validity of their residency permits.

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