Even though citizens of the GCC countries do not need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia, residents of these countries must get a Saudi visa in order to be allowed entry. The Saudi government however in September 2019 issued out new reforms that align with the Saudi Vision 2030.
One of the reforms is the plan for Saudi to open doors to travelers from across the word under the e-visa program. The first beneficiaries will be the GCC residents who will now have easy access to Saudi Arabia.
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Written By Arabiers Digital & Reviewed by Robeena Brown
July 20, 2023 | 13 min read
GCC residents are people living in the GCC outcries and with the new Saudi visa reforms, these individuals in the past needed to apply for visa to be allowed entry to Saudia.
Now, if you are a GCC resident and would want to travel to Saudi, you only need to present a copy of your resident visa permit, a scanned copy of your passport and a photo of yourself taken against a white background.
If you live in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar and have an occupation that is eligible for a GCC resident visa, you can easily get a Saudi e-visa to allow you entry to Saudi Arabia.
Application for a Saudi e-visa is an online process so GCC residents who want this visa must scan their documents and send to the Arabiers team in PDF format through WhatsApp or email.
Here are the documents required to apply for a Saudi visa for the GCC residents :
You will spend around 690 AED to apply for a Saudi visa if you are a GCC resident. This price includes the consultation fees, document collection, typing of the application, paying the Saudi Embassy and buying a travel insurance.
If you are 75 years and above, you will have to pay more money to buy a travel insurance policy.
The Saudi e-visa is a multiple entry type of visa and allows you stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days in a 1-year duration. You can therefore use the visa to enter the kingdom several times as log as it is within the 90 days visa validity period.
The application and processing of the Saudi e-visa is online and takes 2 to 3 working days for the visa to be ready. Just like in the UAE, Saudi Arabia from January 1 2022 changed its working days and now government offices open from Monday to Friday noon.
It is therefore advisable if you apply for visa during the working days to avoid delays in processing. Below is the easy process to follow to apply for a Saudi visa if you reside in the GCC countries :
Every visitor entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including GCC residents must have a valid travel insurance to be allowed into the country.
| Type of insurance | |
| The benefits and limitations of coverage under this policy: The maximum benefits limit for each person for the duration of the policy and that includes lower limits specified in this policy | 100000 SAR |
| The expenses of examination and treatment of emergency cases | Up to the policy limit |
| Hospitalization expenses | |
| Excess percentage (contribution in payment) | No |
| Hospitalization | Up to the policy limit |
| Accommodation and daily subsistence limits for the patient include bed wage, nursing services, visitations, medical supervision, and life support services. Still, it does not include the cost of medicines and medical supplies as prescribed by the physician. | Shared room and up to a limit of SAR 600 /day |
| Accommodation limit for patient?s escort | Shared room and up to a limit of SAR 150/day |
| Treatment of emergency maternity and delivery cases | Up to SAR 5000 for the duration of the Policy |
| Cost of travel and accompanying of one direct family member | Up to SAR 5000 for the duration of the policy |
| Emergency dental treatment | Up to SAR 500 for the duration of the policy |
| The expenses of the birth and treatment of premature babies | Up to the policy limit |
| Treatment to injuries resulting from road traffic accidents | Up to the policy limit |
| The expenses of emergency kidney Dialysis | Up to the policy limit |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation inside and outside the Kingdom | Up to the policy limit |
| Repatriation of mortal remains to the country of origin | Up to SAR 10000 for the duration of the policy |
| COVID-19 Risks Coverage | |
| Cases insurance coverage COVID-19 | Minimum coverage |
| Medical emergencies | 650,000 riyals |
| Costs of medical isolation | 450 riyals per day, with a maximum of 14 days |
| Return the remains of the deceased to his original home | Actual costs |
| Medical evacuation | Actual costs |
If you are a GCC resident with a valid GCC resident visa and possess the professional skills that are mentioned below, you qualify to apply for a Saudi e-visa.
August 22, 2022
Saudi Arabia loosened all the COVID-19 regulations including the need for a PCR test and quarantine when you enter the country.
Tourist from all over the world can now freely enter and exit Saudi Arabia as long as they meet the qualification criteria that has been set up.
There is so much that tourist in Saudi Arabia can explore. Below we have highlighted some of the best experiences in the country that will expose you to their rich history, vibrant culture, beautiful sceneries and the hospitality of Saudi Arabians.
The Masjid al-Haram and the Masjid an-Nabawi are the holiest places according to the Islam religion. The two mosques are located in Makkah and Madinah, which are both holy cities in Saudi.
Masjid al-Haram also known as the Great Mosque is the largest mosque in the world and it is home to the holy Kaaba (the abode of Allah).
If you are visiting Saudi during the Hajj and the Umrah, masjid al-Haram is the most important place to go.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, also called the Prophet’s Mosque was first built by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and it is the second largest mosque in the world.
It is also here at the mosque where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is buried together with Abu Bakr and Umar, who are two very important people in the Islamic history.
The Abraj Al-Bait towers are a beautiful structure located in Makkah just next to the Grand Mosque. This building complex is owned by the government and inside it is seven luxury hotels, apartments, shopping centers, restaurants and a large prayer area. It also has a four-faced clock that is known to be the world’s tallest clock of that kind.
The kingdom Center Tower is about 300 meters tall and is among the most popular buildings in Riyadh. It is an important landmark in the city and is considered to be a national symbol due to its prime location in the country’s capital city.
The tower is home to many shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, top rated brands, luxurious residentials and a 5-star hotel.
You can go to the Sky Bridge, which is a 300-ton steel bridge at the top of the tower to enjoy 360-degree views of the city.
The Al Rahma mosque is located in Jeddah and is the most popular and one of the best places to visit in Jaddah. The mosque represents the modern Islamic architecture and consists of a turquoise-colored dome. It is also referred to as the ‘Floating Mosque’ which is attributed to how it appears like its floating on the Red Sea because it is constructed on stilts.
This beautiful fortress located in Riyadh has a palace and a museum inside and is among the most visited places in Saudi Arabia. The castle was built of clay and mud bricks and was first claimed by Emir Abdulazizi ibn Saud Al Saud from the House of Rasheed in 1902. Saudis later regained control of the fortress and the city and in 1995 the Masmak Place was turned into a museum where people can learn about the history of Saudi Arabia.
The King Abdulaziz Historical Centre is now called the National Museum and is located in I the middle of the Riyadh historical district. The museum has 8 halls that showcase the early human life, pre-Islamic Arabian Kingdoms the family tree of Prophet Muhammad the start of Islam I Saudi, the importance of Hajj and the two most important mosques in the Islami religion.
The town of Diriyah is located at the edge of Riyadh and has recently gained popularity to become one of the tourist destinations like by many. The town is home to the At-Turaif district, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the Al Saud royal family. Here you will mostly find buildings that are made of mud and bricks and narrow streets to separate the different parts of town.
The Rijal Almaa is a village in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia and was in the past an important commercial center that connected Makkah, Madina, Yemen and the Levant.
Here you will find about 60 multi story buildings constructed with wood, clay and stone. There are also many historic fortifications and a museum that was created in 1985 by the residents of the village.
The Fakieh Aquarium is a one-of-a-kind aquarium and the only in the whole of Saudi Arabia that is open to the general public. It is located in the north Corniche in Jeddah and is home to over 200 varieties of marine life. The marine life specimens are collected from oceans and seas across the world so you will learn a lot about the marine life when there.
If you are traveling with your family and especially young children, we recommend you attend the daily presentations of sea lions and dolphins and other marine life that are shown there.
The King Fahd Fountain is a monument standing in the red sea in Jeddah and has been there for over 30 years. You will easily see the fountain from anywhere in the city. The fountain also hosts magical light and water shows so it is a perfect place to visit especially during sunset.
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