With the aim of decreasing its dependence on the oil industry, Saudi Arabia is now focusing on developing its tourism sector. With many initiatives in the pipeline, the kingdom’s tourism sector is expected to contribute SAR 412 billion to the economy by 2027, according to an article on Invest Saudi.
One of the key initiatives in this regard has been the introduction of the new electronic tourist visa for citizens of 49 countries across the world, including Austria. With this visa, citizens of Austria can stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days. This multi-entry visa is valid for one year. With its introduction, the process of visa application for those with Austrian citizenship has become much easier. You no longer need to worry about booking appointments at the Saudi embassy or consulate and waiting in long queues to get a visa.
Documents Required For The Saudi Arabia Visa
Before you begin the process of visa application, make sure you have a few documents handy, such as:
VALID PASSPORT
You must have an Austrian passport that is valid for at least six months after the completion of your trip to Saudi Arabia. Your passport must contain a minimum of two blank pages for the entry stamp.
PHOTOGRAPH
You will need to upload a digital copy of your recent passport-sized photograph. The photograph must be taken against a white background and should be coloured. Your face must be clearly visible in it. So, make sure that you are looking directly into the camera. Don’t wear any headgear or glasses that hide part of your face.
The size of the photograph should be between 3KB and 100KB and its dimensions need to be 200×200 pixels.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You will need to pay the visa fee online. For this you will need an active credit or debit card.
EMAIL ADDRESS
Since your visa will be sent to you via email, it is important that you have a functional email account that is easily accessible.
PROOF OF ACCOMMODATION
You will need to provide information regarding where you will stay while in the kingdom. For this, you can either provide copies of confirmed hotel bookings or an invitation letter from a relative or friend to come stay with them in Saudi Arabia.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical insurance is mandatory to gain entry into the kingdom. Fortunately, health insurance is part of the visa application process and the payment for the insurance has been included in the visa fee.
How To Apply For The Saudi Visa For Austrian Citizens?
The visa application process for those with Austrian citizenship can be completed in a few simple steps. They are:
VISIT THE OFFICIAL SAUDI ARABIA VISA PORTAL
The process begins with visiting the official site of the Saudi Arabian electronic visa. Make sure you click on the correct site, since there are many lookalikes online.
CREATE AN ACCOUNT
Before you can fill the application form, you need to create an account for yourself on the site. For this, you need to fill your personal details, such as full name, email address, phone number. You also need to enter your passport type, as well as the country in which it was issued, which is Austria in this case.
Once, you have entered all the details, you will receive a confirmation link on your email address. You need to click on the link within 24 hours for the activation of your account.
FILL THE APPLICATION FORM
Once your account has been activated, you can fill the e-visa application form. Be sure that all the information provided by you in the application form is correct to the best of your knowledge. Any error could lead to a delay in the processing of your application or even a rejection.
You must enter your basic personal details, such as, name, gender, marital status, residential address, occupation, and so on. Next, you need to upload the recent passport sized photograph of yourself.
On the next page you, will need to provide the details of your journey. You would have to enter the flight details, as well as your planned entry and exit dates.
MAKE THE PAYMENT
The last step of this process is to pay the visa fee. The total amount to be paid is SAR 463.44. The cost includes a transaction fee, medical insurance fees, visa fee and 5% VAT. The insurance offers coverage of up to SAR 100,000 in case you face any medical emergency during your time in Saudi Arabia.
The visa is approved within 24 and 72 hours after the submission of the application form. It is then delivered on the email address provided by you on the application form. However, during peak seasons, or when the embassy is overloaded with work, the process can take longer.
By following these instructions, you can avoid delays in the processing of your visa application. In case, you have any doubts regarding the visa process, or are a firs time visitor to Saudi Arabia, it is recommended to take help from a respectable and reputed agency, such as, Rapid Visa. We will take care of all your needs and ensure you a hassle free experience.
