Saudi Arabia Visa Requirements

Please note that visa forms MUST be filled out completely in CAPITAL LETTERS in order for the application to be processed in a timely manner. Don't forget to include the following information on the form:

• The applicant's name exactly as it is listed on the passport
• Expiration date of the passport
• Date and place of issuance of the passport
• Complete the online Enjaz** application (Visa Offices Registered with Enjaz)
• Complete the applicable visa form  

Passports or documents can be dropped off at the Embassy in Washington between 9:30am and 12:30pm weekdays. Pick ups are between 3:30 and 4:30 weekdays. Please note that this schedule can change without notice.   Ramadan Business hours
Mailing Passport: Include a prepaid return label and envelope (from FedEx, UPS or USPS only) with the return address label filled out completely. A proper prepaid return envelop must include a “PRE-PAID” label.  Return envelops showing only account numbers are no longer accepted as proof of pre-payment.  Credit cards, checks, money orders or cash will not be accepted for return mailing.  Any package without a proper pre-paid return envelope and label will be put on hold until a proper return envelope is received. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine the EXACT return shipping costs. All labels must have a tracking number, and applicants are advised to keep both incoming and outgoing tracking numbers for their records. The Embassy does not send international packages.
Canadian NationalsThe normal visa processing time for all types of visas, excluding Hajj and Umrah visas, for Canadian passports is 10 days. Processing times begin on the day the Visa Section receives a completed application.
No cash, credit card or personal check will be accepted.
Any package without such payment will be on hold until the payment is received. It is the responsibility of the applicant to include the EXACT amount according to the weight of the package.
If you are applying to New York, the required form is
New York Application (pdf)

**If you encounter any problems when trying to make the Enjaz payments, please contact:    Mr. Ossama H. Al-Humaidan
    MOFA Project Manager
    Phone: +966-1-402-9000 ext. 3924
    Fax:      +966-1-276-9282
    Cell:     +966-550-551-206
    e-mail:  ohumaidan@anb.com.sa

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Details of requirements for each type of visa: 

Traveler's Information

 NoticeTotal Visa processing time, including Enjaz application, is 24 hours (not including weekends and holidays). Incomplete applications and passports will be returned unprocessed to applicants the same day.  The Embassy DOES NOT charge extra to expedite the issuance of a visa nor for the duration or number of entries.  The business visa fee is $270 and all other visa fees are $108, regardless of duration or number of entries.
تنبيــــــــهإن كافة تأشيرات الدخول للمملكة التي يجري إنفاذها عن طريق صفحة السفارة وتعبئة الإستمارة بواسطة " إنجاز " تتم خلال فترة (24)ساعة ولايتم إبقاء أي جواز لوجود ملاحظات عليه ويعاد لصاحبه او لمكتب الخدمات في نفس اليوم لإستكمال اللازم ،وليس هناك رسوم إضافية من أجل الإستعجال في إصدار التأشيرة ،ورسوم التأشيرة هي
(108$) دولار، وتأشيرة رجال الاعمال (270$) دولار، مهما كانت مدة صلاحية التأشيرة وعدد السفرات. ،،،

All visa fees must be paid online through Enjaz website or through any of the Visa Offices Registered with Enjaz.
Please include copy of receipt with application. The Consulate Section will not accept visa fee payments.

 VisaGeographical Distribution of Consular Services
In order to facilitate efficient consulate services in the United States, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C. is complemented by three consulates general.  Consular services undertaken by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia and the consulates general are distributed according to geographic location.  To determine which consulate can assist you, please consult the list of consular districts.
التأشير   العناوين المواضحة حسب التوزيع الجغرافي للخدمات القنصلية 
من أجل توفير خدمات قنصلية سريعة وفعالة في الولايات المتحدة  ، فقد تم دعم عمل السفارة في واشنطن بثلاث قنصليات عامة موزعة جغرافيا لتقديم الخدمات القنصلية . ولتحديد القنصلية العامة التي يمكن أن توفر لك المساعدة المطلوبة ، الرجاء مراجعة قائمة القنصليات وتوزيعها الجغرافي على الرابط أعلاه .

• Adding-Newborn-to-Saudi-Residence-Card
• Business Visa
• Commercial Visa
• Diplomatic and Official Visa
• Employment Visa
• Escort Visa
• Extension of Exit/Re-Entry Visa
• Family Visit Visa
• Government Visit Visa
• Personal Visit Visa
• Residence Visa
• Student Visa
• Work Visit Visa
• Hajj Visa
• Umrah Visa 

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Mailing addresses:

Royal Embassy of Saudi ArabiaConsular Section
601 New Hampshire Ave, N.W., 
Washington, DC  20037
(202) 342-3800

Royal Consulate Generals in the United States:Houston:5718 Westheimer, Suite
1500 Houston, TX 77057
(713) 785-5577
e-mail: ustxcon@mofa.gov.sa

Los Angeles:2045 Sawtelle Blvd. 
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 479-6000
e-mail: uscacon@mofa.gov.sa
Visa Services:  (310) 479-6000  x1037
e-mail:  visa.uscacon@mofa.gov.sa

New York:866 Second Ave., 5th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 752-2740
e-mail: usnycon@mofa.gov.sa 

Business Hours
Monday through Friday

1. Visa and document drop-off: Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Please allow at least 24 hours before pick-up.
2. Pick-up: Monday through Friday from 3:00pm to 4:30pm.
3. Hours of operation will change during the Holy Month of Ramadan to: 
   1. Drop-Off: 10:30am to12:30pm
   2. Pick-Up: 2:00pm to 3:30pm.

Canadian NationalsThe normal visa processing time for all types of visas, excluding Hajj and Umrah visas, for Canadian passports is 10 days. Processing times begin on the day the Visa Section receives a completed application.

Visa Offices Registered with Enjaz

Classification of Contractors in the Saudi ArabiaNew procedure for the classification of contractors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Project Questionnaire Form
American EmbassyThe U.S. Embassy is located in Riyadh, with consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran.

Restrictions
Forbidden items include alcohol, narcotics, weapons, ammunition, pork and pornography. Prescription drugs must be documented. Makkah and Madinah hold special religious significance and only persons of the Islamic faith are allowed entry.

Bringing Prescription Drugs into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Reporting currency when entering or leaving Saudi Arabia

Saudi regulations require those travelling to or from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to declare all currency, negotiable instruments or precious metal in an aggregate amount exceeding 60,000 Saudi Riyal [U.S. $16,000] (or the equivalent in another currency) to Saudi Customs.

The U.S. Embassy Announces a New Visa Processing

The United States Embassy in India today announced it is implementing a new visa processing system throughout India that will further standardize procedures and will simplify fee payment and appointment scheduling through a new website at www.ustraveldocs.com/in.  Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs, Julia Stanley, announced at a press conference here today that beginning September 26, 2012 U.S. visa applicants will be able to pay application fees via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or with their mobile phones.  They can also pay in cash at more than 1,800 Axis bank branches.

For the first time, applicants will be able to schedule their appointments online or by phone.  The new system will also allow companies and travel agents to purchase multiple fee receipts for group travel, and it accommodates the scheduling of group and emergency appointments.

Visa applicants will be able to have their questions answered via telephone, email, or online chat.  Call center agents in Noida and Hyderabad will answer questions in Hindi, English, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil, and Telugu.  Call centers will be open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday, and 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday.  The numbers are (91-120) 660-2222 or (91-22) 6720-9400 in India or 1-310-616-5424 in the United States.  Applicants can email in English or Hindi at support-india@ustraveldocs.com, or they can chat with us directly from our website (www.ustraveldocs.com/in) during call center hours.

One important change is that under the new system, applicants will have to make two appointments.  Prior to their visa interviews, applicants will have to visit an Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) to submit their fingerprints and a photo.  Located apart from the Embassy and Consulates in Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai, the OFCs will reduce congestion at U.S. consular facilities and speed applicant processing.  Most applicants will need to visit an OFC only once.  

In March, the U.S. Mission in India introduced the Interview Waiver Program (IWP) that allows applicants who meet certain criteria to be considered for waivers of personal interviews.  Under the IWP and our new processing system, an increasing number of applicants will be able to complete all visa requirements without having to visit a U.S. Embassy or Consulate at all. 

The U.S. Department of State continually strives to improve consular services to meet increased visa demand in India.  In 2011, consular officers in India processed nearly seven lakh nonimmigrant visa applications, an increase of more than 11 percent over the previous year.  Presently, applicants wait fewer than ten days for visa interview appointments and spend less than one hour at U.S. consular facilities in India.

For information about the visa application process, please visithttp://www.ustraveldocs.com/.  To receive regular updates, follow the U.S. Embassy on Facebook at www.facebook.com/India.usembassy.

AS PREPARED

Remarks By Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs Julia Stanley

Press Event:  New Visa Processing System for India

September 5, 2012

• Namaste and good afternoon.  Thank you for joining us today, and thank you to our team from Stanley.
• The United States is committed to providing all visa applicants with an efficient, transparent, and standardized application process.
• Worldwide, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is instituting significant changes to the visa application process under the Global Support Strategy program.  This program will be implemented in India on September 26.
• It is our goal to make our visa process as efficient as possible to meet the increased demand for U.S. visas worldwide.  In March, we launched the Interview Waiver Program in India, which allows certain qualified applicants to renew their visas without coming in for an interview.
• Today, it is my pleasure to introduce a new visa processing system that will streamline appointment scheduling, simplify fee payments, and provide new delivery options.
• First, we would like to introduce our brand new website, available in English and Hindi, that will answer all your questions about how to apply for a U.S. visa.  Through the website, visa applicants will be able to fill out application forms, find out what documents are required, pay visa application fees, schedule an appointment for biometrics collection, and schedule an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  You can access the website atwww.ustraveldocs.com/in.
• Applicants can also contact us via telephone, email, or online chat.  Our call center agents can answer questions in Hindi, English, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil, and Telugu.  There are no fees for calling the call center. 
• Under our new system, we have more payment options available.  Applicants will have the option of paying their visa application fees by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or with a mobile phone.  They will also be able to pay in cash at over 1,800 Axis and Citibank branches.  The new system allows for bulk purchases of fee receipts, an important benefit for companies and travel agents.  Within one hour of payment, applicants will receive an SMS message letting them know that their receipt has been activated, and they can proceed with scheduling their appointments.
• Appointments can be scheduled through our new website or by calling the call center.  We are offering appointments by phone for the first time.  The new global appointment scheduling system will offer group and expedited appointments.
• One important difference from our current system is that first-time applicants will need to schedule two appointments; one for fingerprint collection, and one for a consular interview.  Fingerprints will be collected at an Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) prior to the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 
• For many first-time applicants, this will mean two appointments on two separate days.  We are working to shorten this to one day, but at this point, we cannot say with certainty when that will happen.
• The OFCs will be located in convenient locations separate from the Embassy or Consulates to reduce congestion and to speed applicant processing.
• The good news is that most applicants will only need to submit their fingerprints at the OFC one time.  Applicants who are renewing their visas will probably be able to skip this step.  Over time, we expect the number of applicants who do not need to visit our premises to grow markedly.
• Our processing improvements also affect the delivery of documents.  Under our new system, passports, visas, immigrant visa packets and other documents will be delivered to 33 document pick-up locations across India within a week at no charge.  Applicants will be asked to choose a delivery location when they schedule their appointments.  Using our website, they can track the progress of their visa application.  When their documents are ready for pick-up, they will be notified via email and/or SMS.
• Of course, some things won’t change.  Our visa application fees will remain the same worldwide; an American consular officer will still conduct the interview at the Embassy or Consulate; and our adjudication standards have not changed.  Applicants must still meet the requirements for the appropriate visa class, whether they are traveling as tourists, business people, or students.  We will continue to issue 10-year, multiple-entry visas to all those who qualify.
• We are committed to an efficient visa process for all visa applicants worldwide.  Presently, visa applicants in India wait fewer than ten days for their appointments, spend less than one hour at our consular facilities, and typically have their visas in hand within a week of their interviews.
• We expect that our new system will further increase the efficiency and transparency of our visa processing, standardizing the process for all visa applicants worldwide.  We expect that fewer applicants will need to visit our OFCs, Embassy and Consulates to renew their visas in the future. 
• As the U.S.-India relationship continues to grow, we look forward to supporting and strengthening the people-to-people ties between our two countries by facilitating travel with secure and efficient visa processing.

Thank you.

STUDENT VISA AND PERMITS

STUDENT VISA AND PERMITS:

              The students wishing to study in Switzerland must obtain all the proper permits from the authorities in charge to stay in the country. Here's how the process works.
Student visas are issued much like permits for foreign workers, with students from European countries enjoying more relaxed procedures than those from third states.

Student visas are issued much like permits for foreign workers, with students from European countries enjoying more relaxed procedures than those from third states.
EU/EFTA nationals

Within 13/14 days of arriving in Switzerland EU/EFTA nationals must register with local authorities in the town where they will live to apply for a residence permit.

• Applicants must prove they have health insurance and enough funds to cover living costs.
•  Applicants must prove they have come to Switzerland to study full-time and that they are properly enrolled at a university or a recognized college.

A residence permit will be issued for the duration of the programme, provided it lasts less than one(1) year. If the studies extend over a period of several years, the permit is valid for one(1) year also must be renewed each year until the completion of the studies.

Students may get jobs and work, but for no more than 14/15 hours a week. Otherwise students are considered employed and must apply for a work permit.

A spouse and dependent children may join the student in Switzerland. Family members may also work.

THIRD-STATE APPLICANTS:

      Students from non-EU/EFTA member states must apply for a visa at the Swiss embassy or consulate in their home country. Please visit the foreign ministry’s website to find Swiss missions around the world.

The application must include a certificate from the school or institution to be attended, proof of payment of school fees and means of support during studies, a written commitment that the student will leave Switzerland upon completion of the programme, as well as a curriculum vitae(C.V). Swiss authorities may also organize a language test to make sure the student is able to follow lessons.

The cantons are responsible for issuing the permits. For detailed information on the application procedure (where to apply, which form to fill in, how long it takes, etc.), please contact the relevant cantonal office. A list of addresses can be found here.