How to Apply for a Saudi Arabia Visa in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City area residents exploring new destinations are among the 80,000 Americans who visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia each year.  With casual visitors unable to enter the country in recent decades, international travelers are now exploring the kingdom to enjoy its long-hidden treasures. “Saudi Arabia offers both natural and historical wonders, from the mountain resorts of Taif and the majesty of ancient Nabatean tombs to the multicolored coral reefs of the Red Sea,” the Saudi embassy stated on its website (https://www.saudiembassy.net/sports-and-recreation). 

Before the kingdom began issuing leisure tourist visas in 2019, foreign visitors to Saudi Arabia were primarily religious pilgrims, businesspeople, or government officials.  The next five years brought more than 100 million travelers to Saudi Arabia. “The Kingdom's tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience, with inbound spending reaching over USD 37 billion in 2023 and a significant increase in hotel keys across the kingdom,” the UN’s World Tourism Agency stated (https://www.unwto.org/news/un-tourism-applauds-saudi-arabia-s-historic-milestone-of-100-million-tourist-arrivals#). “These achievements are a testament to Saudi Arabia's commitment to creating a prosperous and sustainable tourism sector.” Reform-minded Saudi rulers have prioritized global tourism and relaxed their country’s conservative culture, helping open their society to more foreigners.

More than 33 million people live in Saudi Arabia, the largest nation in the Middle East.  It stretches from beaches on the Persian Gulf and Red Sea to the forests of the Asir Mountains, encompassing sandy deserts, lush grasslands, and a vast array of wildlife habitats.  The area’s vast oil deposits have made Saudi Arabia one of the world’s wealthiest countries.  Although oil and gas production powers the Saudi economy, its Vision 2030 economic diversification program aims to reposition the country as the world shifts away from fossil fuels.  Other industries offering opportunities for Oklahoma City-based businesses to expand into Saudi Arabia include power, healthcare, information technology, telecommunications, water management, and defense/security, according to the U.S. State Department (https://www.trade.gov/knowledge-product/saudi-arabia-market-overview). 

The kingdom is also spending billions of dollars to add more tourism infrastructure, such as sports facilities, theme parks, golf courses, and shopping malls.  Previously, Saudi Arabian tourism was restricted to religious pilgrims journeying to the birthplace of Islam, the world’s second largest religion.  Only Muslims can visit Mecca and Medina, two of Islam’s most holy cities.  Mecca draws millions of visitors each year for the pilgrimages of Hajj (a five-day series of rites that typically occur in early July) and Umrah, a shorter set of pilgrimages that can be performed anytime during the year.  The holy city of Mecca (also known as Makkah) is the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammad.

Saudi Arabia’s largest city, capital, and cultural hub, Riyadh, is a modern metropolis in the heart of the an-Nafud desert.  It is the second-most visited city in the Middle East, welcoming five million people each year.  Its long history is preserved in the Qasr Al-Hokm district, which includes the Murabba Place and Masmak fortress. The modern commercial center of Jeddah is the second largest Saudi city.  It boasts one of the world’s tallest fountains, more than 300 gardens, the renovated 100-room Naseef House, and the Corniche promenades leading to the Red Sea. 

Saudi Arabia has six UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Jeddah’s historic district.  Other UNESCO sites include the Gate to Mecca; Al-Ahsa Oasis; Al-Hijr Archaeological Site; and the rock art and historic oases in the Hail region.  Tourists also enjoy the museums at the ancient trading center of Najran, Al-An Palace, and Asir National Park.  Outdoor recreation includes world-class scuba diving and snorkeling on the coral reefs of the Red Sea, sailing, deep-sea fishing, hiking, and camping.

Requirements for Obtaining a Saudi Arabia Visa

Citizens of the United States and most other countries are required to obtain a visa to visit Saudi Arabia. (Nationals of the five Gulf Cooperation Council countries and France can enter visa-free).  Those from the U.S., Canada, and 47 other countries can also apply for electronic tourist visas (eVisa).  The full list of eVisa-eligible countries is at https://www.saudiembassy.net/tourist-visa.

The main requirement to obtain any type of Saudi visa is holding a valid passport that contains at least one blank page.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia no longer has COVID-19 requirements for travelers entering the country.  However, the U.S. State Department cautions travelers to “reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to the threat of missile and drone attacks.  Exercise increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to terrorism, the risk of arrest based on social media activity, and importation of prohibited items.” The full travel advisory can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/saudi-arabia-travel-advisory.html.

The most popular types of Saudi visas for residents of the Oklahoma City area are tourist, business visit, and Umrah visas.  A list of all the visa types and details about each can be found at https://www.saudiembassy.net/visa-types.

Obtaining a Saudi Arabia Tourist Electronic Visa (eVisa)

Since 2019, tourists from 49 countries have been eligible to apply for an eVisa to visit Saudi Arabia.  U.S., U.K., and EU citizens can also apply upon arrival at the Immigration Department offices in Saudi Arabia, but the easy, quick eVisa application is generally recommended to make sure you have no problems after you land.

The online application form and details about the eVisa are available at https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/travel-regulations.  The minimum age is 18, unless the minor is accompanied by an adult who will act as guardian.  The multiple-entry tourist visa is valid for one year from the date of issuance, and allows stays of up to 90 days.

You will need to create an account, complete the application, and attach any required documentation through the link above.  Turnaround time is typically five to 30 minutes for eVisas.  The required fees are SAR 395 (about $105) for an eVisa and SAR 300 (about $80) for visa on arrival, which are available at self-service kiosks. The eVisa fee includes the cost of Saudi health insurance, while visa on arrival requires another SAR 95 ($25.33) for medical coverage.  Fees are payable in Saudi riyals using an international credit card.

Obtaining a Conventional Business or Tourist Visa from Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City area residents can also obtain a tourist visa from the Saudi Arabia embassy in Washington, D.C, either in person or by mail.  They can also visit one of the Saudi consulates in Houston, Los Angeles, or New York; or they can use Visa Supply or one of the authorized U.S. travel agencies listed at https://www.saudiembassy.net/visa-offices.  Visas are available to adults, or to minors traveling with an adult.

When you visit the Saudi government office or mail your package, you must provide:

  • Completed application.
  • Valid passport. (NOTE: Passports for non-U.S. citizens must not expire within six months of entry.)
  • Proof of accommodations (such as hotel reservations).
  • Roundtrip ticket and travel itinerary.
  • Health insurance purchased from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Details are displayed during the application process.)
  • Proof of employment and financial solvency (such as bank statement).
  • COVID-19 documentation, as detailed on website below).
  • Non-refundable visa fee (see below).

The visa fee is SAR 300 and the insurance costs SAR 140, for a total of about $125.  The visa is valid for up to one full year (365 days) with a maximum 90-day duration of stay at one time and multiple entries.  Additional tourist visa details can be found at https://www.saudiembassy.net/tourist-visa.

The primary requirement for a business visa is that you must have a letter of invitation from a Saudi business.  This letter will state the embassy or consulate (written in Arabic) where you must submit your application.  Non-U.S. citizens must provide a green card or similar proof of residency.  Other requirements can be found at https://www.saudiembassy.net/business-visa-requirements.  You can submit your business visit visa application by mail or in person at the Washington embassy, or through an U.S. authorized travel agency shown at the link in the previous paragraph.

Obtaining a Umrah or Hajj Visa

Muslims living in the Oklahoma City area who are planning a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca to perform the Umrah or Hajj rites must obtain a special visa through travel agents authorized by the Saudi government.  The list of approved travel agents can be found at https://www.saudiembassy.net/travel-agencies-hajj-and-umrah.  While Visa Supply can help U.S. citizens obtain the Umrah visa, foreign nationals must deal directly with an authorized travel agent to obtain their visa.

 Obtaining a Transit eVisa from the Saudi Arabia Embassy

The four-day transit eVisa is available for airline passengers who have stopovers in the country (https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/saudi-stopover). You can apply for the visa up to 90 days before you travel, and it is valid for three months after issue.  The transit visa allows you to stay 96 hours in Saudi Arabia to visit sites, attend tourist events, or perform the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca (except during Hajj season).  The transit/stopover eVisa is free, but medical coverage and other fees still apply.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Visa Supply can help you complete your application for any of these visas and answer your questions about visiting Saudi Arabia.  We also provide courier service to deliver your application and pick up your visa from the embassy in Washington, D.C. or the Saudi consulates in Houston, Los Angeles, or New York.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Saudi Arabia.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.

If you live in Oklahoma City or anywhere in the state of Oklahoma and have difficulty applying for a Saudi Arabia visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Saudi Arabia visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.

We provide the following Saudi Arabia visa services for our customers in Oklahoma City:

  • Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa
  • Saudi Arabia Business Visa
  • Saudi Arabia Employment Visa
  • Saudi Arabia Person Visit Visa
  • Saudi Arabia Family Visit Visa
  • Saudi Arabia Companion Visa
  • Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa
  • Saudi Arabia Government Visa
  • Saudi Arabia Diplomatic and Official Visa
  • Saudi Arabia Hotel Accommodations