Most foreign and international students need a visa to study in Saudi Arabia. A student visa allows you to live and study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the duration of your program. Saudi Arabia recently introduced new rules for international students, which include long-term and short-term educational visa programs for students from over 160 countries.
Here is everything you need to know if you are considering studying in Saudi Arabia and wish to apply for a student visa.
What is a Saudi student visa?
A student visa in Saudi Arabia is an endorsement of your passport by the immigration authorities. The visa allows you to enter, live, and study in the country for a specified period. You can apply for a student visa only after you have confirmed your enrollment at your chosen school or university.
Update on visas for foreign students
International students from 160 countries will soon be able to apply for long-term or short-term student visas in Saudi Arabia. They will be exempt from the legal requirement to provide a sponsor in the Kingdom. The student visa program will be divided into short-term visas for educational programs of up to one year and long-term visas for courses lasting more than one year.
Long- and short-term visas for educational purposes cover various academic and research aspects, including innovation, training, teaching, and study. Presenting the Kingdom as an attractive study destination, the "Study in Saudi Arabia" student visa program will be granted to students, experts, and researchers for the purpose of studying or conducting research.
Do I need a student visa to enter Saudi Arabia?
Yes, you need it. To obtain a student visa in Saudi Arabia, you must first be accepted into an educational institution in the country. The university or college can then apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for authorization of your student visa.
What is the validity period of a Saudi student visa?
The validity of a student visa in Saudi Arabia depends on the length of your chosen course or program. Saudi Arabia generally grants short-term visas to students enrolled in short degree programs or language courses, with the total visa duration often limited to 90 days (3 months). Long-term visas, on the other hand, are granted to students intending to pursue degree programs lasting longer than 3 months.
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How can I apply for a Saudi student visa?
You can begin by exploring educational institutions in Saudi Arabia to find a course that suits you; also, research each course to understand the eligibility criteria and application requirements. You can check the admission requirements for a particular institution on its official website and complete the application form.
You must first be accepted into a Saudi educational institution to obtain a student visa. Your university will request authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to issue your student visa. Once your visa is approved, you can apply at one of the Saudi Arabian embassies or consulates near you.
Online process
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) portal offers electronic visa services. Applicants can apply for a Saudi Arabian visa, which is then sent directly to the nearest Saudi Arabian embassy. Here are the steps to apply for a student visa to Saudi Arabia:
Visit the website from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
Complete all steps in Arabic
Follow the status of the request, which usually takes about 3 days.
Offline approach
To apply for a Saudi student visa, candidates also have the option of applying offline by visiting the Saudi embassy or consulate in their respective country to begin the application process. You can find a list of Saudi embassies worldwide. It is important to note that each embassy has different procedures, so it is essential to familiarize yourself with them before traveling there.
Documents required for a Saudi student visa
As mentioned previously, international students must obtain a student visa to enter and study in Saudi Arabia. The requirements for a Saudi student visa include the following:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months and containing at least two consecutive blank pages for the visa.
- A letter of recommendation for the visa, indicating the visa number and expiry date. This letter must be issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs or one of its branches in Dammam or Jeddah.
- An original copy of the applicant's birth certificate.
- High school diploma or other university degrees.
- An extract from the criminal record issued within six (6) months prior to the application, providing detailed information on the applicant's criminal history, if applicable.
- Three passport-sized color photographs with a white background.
- Three copies of a medical report including all test results. A licensed physician must issue this medical report, certifying that the applicant does not suffer from any contagious disease. The physician must sign all copies of the medical report, which must also include their license number and address.
- Medical reports must be less than 3 months old from their date of issue. Candidates under 16 years of age are exempt from providing a medical report.
Health Insurance and Saudi Student Visa Fees: You may also need health insurance for your trip to Saudi Arabia. Please ensure that the insurance you choose meets all the requirements of your visa and covers you for the entire duration of your stay in Saudi Arabia.
Processing Time and Fees for a Saudi Student Visa: The processing time for a Saudi student visa application can vary depending on your country of origin. In some cases, it can take up to 3 months. However, if you apply for your student visa in Saudi Arabia itself, the processing will be faster.
Standard processing – Processing your visa application will take approximately 5 days and will cost SAR 676 (170 euros).
Urgent processing – You will receive your visa within 3 days, but the total cost will be SAR 782 (195 euro).
