New 96-hour Transit Visa for Saudi Arabia Launched

Updated on Oct 28, 2023 | Saudi e-Visa

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently introduced an electronic visa specifically designed for transit passengers, permitting them to continue their stay in the country for a maximum of 96 hours. 

It is important to note that this transit visa for Saudi Arabia is exclusively accessible to specific categories of passengers who arrive in the Kingdom.

Kindly refer to the following information to determine your eligibility for the 96-hour transit visa for Saudi Arabia and explore alternative visa options that may better suit your requirements.

Introducing the New Saudi Arabia Transit Visa

Explore the Kingdom for up to 96 Hours

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia has recently unveiled an exciting addition to their visa offerings - the transit visa. This visa, designed specifically for transit passengers, allows holders to enjoy a stay of up to 96 hours in the Kingdom.

Key Features of the Saudi 96-Hour Transit Visa for Saudi Arabia:

  • Purpose: The visa is suitable for various purposes, including transit through the country, tourism, business activities, performing Umrah, and visiting the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.
  • Vision 2030 Initiative: This transit visa is part of Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 program, which aims to position the country as a premier global tourism and pilgrimage destination.
  • Economic Impact: As part of Vision 2030, the Saudi Minister of Tourism has aimed to attract significant tourist investments, totaling 220 billion riyals ($53.3 billion) by the end of 2023 and 500 billion riyals ($133 billion) by 2030. The introduction of the transit visa is a significant step towards achieving these targets.

By offering this new transit visa, Saudi Arabia opens its doors to travelers seeking to explore the country's rich heritage, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes, all within a convenient 96-hour window.

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Eligibility for the 96-Hour Transit Visa for Saudi Arabia

Certain criteria must be met to apply for the 96-hour transit visa for Saudi Arabia. Please review the following requirements to determine your eligibility:

  • Partner Airlines: The transit visa is currently available for clients who used to arrange their flights with either Saudia or Flynas air carriers.
  • Flight Duration: Your selected flights should have a maximum time gap of 96 hours between arrival and departure. This means you can stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 4 days during transit.
  • Departure and Arrival Cities: To qualify for the transit visa, your departure and arrival cities must be located outside of Saudi Arabia.
  • Saudi Entry Requirements: It is essential to meet the entry requirements set by Saudi Arabia. These requirements include possessing a passport that is valid for at a time duration of at least 6 months from the date of entry.

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Unless you are a national of one of the four nations (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, or the UAE) free from visa requirements, you must show your passport to enter Saudi Arabia. You must first register for the eVisa online for your passport to be approved. Learn more at Saudi Arabia Visa Requirements.

Considerations and Alternatives to the 96-Hour Saudi Transit Visa

While the Saudi 96-hour transit visa offers certain advantages, you should be aware of its limitations and explore alternative options that may better suit your needs. Here are some downsides of the transit visa and an alternative worth considering:

  • Duration and Extension: The 96 -Hour transit visa restricts your stay in Saudi Arabia to a maximum of 4 days and cannot be extended beyond this period.
  • Limited Airline Options: The 96-Hour transit visa is currently available only for passengers who have booked their flights through Flynas or Saudia. These airlines serve a limited number of airports, which may not be ideal for all travelers.
  • Entry Guarantee and Document Verification: While holding a transit visa, entry to Saudi Arabia is not guaranteed, as border security personnel carefully scrutinize all passenger documents to ensure proper application submission.

Considering these downsides and associated risks, you might find exploring the Saudi tourist eVisa as an alternative advantageous.

Benefits of the Saudi Tourist eVisa:

  • Extended Stay: The tourist eVisa allows a stay of up to 90 days, offering you significantly more time to discover the Kingdom's wonders.
  • Multiple Entries: With the tourist eVisa, you can enter and exit Saudi Arabia multiple times within the validity period, providing greater flexibility for your travel plans.
  • Airline Flexibility: The tourist eVisa is not restricted to specific airlines and can be used in conjunction with any airline of your choice.
  • Enhanced Application Review: When you apply for a tourist eVisa, the documentation and application form undergo careful scrutiny to minimize the risk of rejection or denial of entry upon arrival.

Applying for the Free Saudi Arabia Transit Visa: Step-by-Step Guide

If you can meet the needed eligibility requirements for the 4-day stopover visa for Saudi Arabia, follow these procedures to complete the application process:

  • Book Flights: Make your flight reservations through the official online platforms of either Saudia or Flynas. Ensure that your selected flights have a maximum time gap of 96 hours between arrival and departure.
  • Visa Application: While booking your flights, simultaneously submit your visa application. Provide the needed information as requested in the application form.
  • Upload Photo: Attach a recent, passport-sized photo with a resolution of 200 pixels square and a file size below 20 kilobytes.
  • Email Address: Supply a valid email address to receive updates and notifications regarding your visa application.
  • Visa Fee Payment: Complete the payment of the visa fee as required during the application process.
  • Visa Issuance: Once your visa application has been processed, you will receive the visa in your email inbox. Ensure to check your email regularly and keep the visa document accessible for verification purposes.

Important Notes:

  • Flight Booking Window: You can book your flights up to 90 days before your departure date. However, submitting your visa application well in advance is advisable to allow for proper processing.
  • Complimentary Hotel Stay (Saudia Passengers): If you book your flights through Saudia, you may be eligible for a one-night complimentary hotel stay. Look for the Saudia Holidays banner on the confirmation page for further details. Please note that the availability of the complimentary night's stay is subject to availability and presentation of the boarding pass at the hotel check-in.

It's critical to keep up with any updates or modifications in the application process. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, refer to the official Saudi Arabian authorities or their embassy/consulate.

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Using the website of the Online Saudi Arabia, you may rapidly apply for a Saudi Arabia e-Visa. The procedure is easy and uncomplicated. You may finish the Saudi Arabia e-visa application in only 5 minutes. Go to the website, click "Apply Online," and adhere to the instructions. Learn more at Complete Guide to Saudi Arabia e-Visa.

Check your eligibility for Online Saudi Visa and apply for Online Saudi Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. British citizens, US citizens, Australian citizens, French citizens, Spanish Citizens, Dutch Citizens and Italian citizens can apply online for Online Saudi Visa. Should you need any help or require any clarifications you should contact our Saudi Visa Help Desk for support and guidance.

 
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