My Saudia Arabia visa experience

[WanderingNomad]

Just posting our recent Saudia Arabia Transit Visa experience in the consulate in Sydney. For anyone thinking of doing this, please dont! The experience was tedious with a lot of waiting around (all up about 1.5hrs) and as well every question under the sun. They asked things such as my qualifications, job, living arrangements etc.... I did all this to get a transit visa so that we can sleep the night in Riyadh as there is no airside accomodation. Please consider booking via online instead, or if you can just stay in the airport. We spent > $350 for 2 visas for approx 12 hours in the country

 

[burneracc]

Are you an Australian citizen? I don't understand otherwise why you went in person to get a visa - the official guidance as per Saudi eVisa | The Official website for Tourist Visa to Saudi Arabia is to apply online if you are Australian. Cost sounds about right though - the evisa costs ~180 aud to apply for. That * 2 = what you paid.

 

[WanderingNomad]

I went through the consulate because someone suggested that its cheaper than doing it online. Turned out to be false. Lesson learnt.

 

[WanderingNomad]

I am flying with Saudia, however I couldnt get the visa working with my booking. I believe it maybe because we bought the tickets through an OTA.

 

[elanshin]

Just posting our recent Saudia Arabia Transit Visa experience in the consulate in Sydney. For anyone thinking of doing this, please dont! The experience was tedious with a lot of waiting around (all up about 1.5hrs) and as well every question under the sun. They asked things such as my qualifications, job, living arrangements etc.... I did all this to get a transit visa so that we can sleep the night in Riyadh as there is no airside accomodation. Please consider booking via online instead, or if you can just stay in the airport. We spent > $350 for 2 visas for approx 12 hours in the country

Apparently free transit visas available if you fly Saudia

 

[RooFlyer]

Sorry to show you, @WanderingNomad Saudi Arabia Visa Requirements

 

[WanderingNomad]

Sorry to show you, @WanderingNomad Saudi Arabia Visa Requirements

View attachment 461932

Yea unfortunately that link didnt work for me. I think it might because I bought my tickets through an OTA.

 

[Mattg]

I applied online for an e-Visa when I went in January, and it was fairly straightforward. The main issue was getting a photo in the right dimensions, which required a trip to Officeworks.

I flew into RUH, which also has a visa-on-arrival option, you simply use the kiosk and pay the fee on arrival.

 

[Pushka]

We applied for a visa two years ago. Online. The photo requirements were the same as for India and we were sble to use a couple of online software programs to produce them. Was very expensive back then but much easier than India. .