The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage declared that following the launch of the new online tourist visa, the kingdom aims to welcome 100 million overnight stays by the end of 2030, according to a press release on PR Newswire. A special online portal has been created for tourists to complete the application process. Citizens of some countries can also get a visa on arrival from the electronic kiosks set up at the Saudi airports.
How To Apply For A Saudi Arabian Visa For German Citizens
The mandatory steps to complete the visa requirements for German citizens are:
STEP 1: VISIT SAUDI ARABIA’S OFFICIAL ELECTRONIC VISA PORTAL
Login to the official e-visa website of Saudi Arabia to begin the application procedure.
STEP 2: CREATE AN ACCOUNT
Create your account by filling up basic details like your name, email address, phone number, along with your login info, such as username and password. Enter your passport type and the country of issuance, which will be Germany in this case. Once you’ve done this, you will receive a verification link on the email address you have provided. Click on this link to activate your account within 24 hours of it being sent.
STEP 3: APPLY FOR THE SAUDI ARABIA ONLINE VISA
Log in to your account to fill in the visa application form. You can also read about the visa requirements for German citizens here, so that you can ensure that your application is not rejected.
The first page of the application form requires you to fill personal details, such as your full name, gender, country of birth, marital status, occupation and residential address and so on. You also need to upload a passport-sized photo of yourself, where your entire face and forehead are clearly visible. The dimensions of the photograph should be 200×200 pixels and the size should be anything between 3KB and 100 KB. The photo should be in .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif or .bmp format.
On the next page, fill in your passport information and your intended dates of entering and leaving Saudi Arabia. The dates need not be rigid, since you can visit the kingdom anytime within one year of your e-visa being approved.
You will also need to fill in the purpose of travel to Saudi Arabia and your place of accommodation in the country. On the following page, enter the purchase details of the mandatory medical insurance. The cost of insurance is SAR140, including 5% VAT. Finally, the last page will have details of the terms and conditions.
STEP 4: PAY THE VISA FEE
The final step is to make a payment of SAR463.44. This fee includes:
Visa Fee: SAR300
Insurance Fee: SAR133
5% VAT: SAR22
Transaction Fee: SAR8.44
You can make the payment through credit or debit card. The online visa takes around 24 to 72 hours to reach you, if you have successfully completed all the steps. You can check all the visa details, including your visa status, through the account you have created on the visa website.
Documents Required For German Citizens
Visa requirements for German citizens were previously limited to business visa, family visit visa, work visa and so on. However, German nationals are now eligible for the Saudi Arabia Tourist e-visa as well, which allows them to visit Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes. However, the e-visa, on its own, does not guarantee entry into the country. You gain entry, you will need to produce certain documents at the port of entry, such as:
PASSPORT
A German passport, with validity of a minimum of six months beyond your intended travel dates. Make sure to have at least two consecutive blank pages for the entry stamp on your passport.
TOURIST E VISA
A copy of the electronic visa, which you will have received via email.
CURRENCY DECLARATIONS
You can carry up to SAR60,000 while entering and exiting the Saudi Arabia. If you are exceeding the cash limit, you will need to inform the officials. In case you fail to do so, you could be penalized and even imprisoned
HEALTH DOCUMENTS
Proofs of vaccinations for Yellow Fever, Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis A, etc., will need to be produced. Along with this, medical insurance is a must, without which you will not be permitted to visit the country. The good news is that the medical insurance is arranged for e-visa applicants by the Saudi government, the charges for which are included in the visa fee.
Saudi Arabian Etiquette
Saudi Arabia has traditionally been a very conservative nation. Although things have started changing in recent times, it is best to know a little about the culture and accepted behaviour in the kingdom for a hassle-free travel experience. Here’s a look at some etiquette tourists should abide by:
- There should be absolutely no physical contact between a man and a woman in a public place. Handshakes are, however, allowed, only if the woman extends her hand first.
- Men should wear full pants and long-sleeved shirts and women need to cover their shoulders and knees at all times. There should not be any obscene graphics or quotes on your clothes.
- Make sure not to practice any other religion apart from Islam or preach against the values and principles of Islam in public.
- Do not click pictures of military installations, certain government institutions and buildings.
- Consumption of alcohol is considered “haram” or forbidden in Saudi Arabia. Possessing alcohol is also an offence and you might be subjected to severe punishment.
Abiding by the visa guidelines and the basic rules and regulations of the country will ensure that you have a memorable stay in the kingdom.
However, if you are a first-time Saudi e-visa applicant or are simply looking for a hassle-free way of obtaining the tourist visa, enlist the services of a trusted agency, like Rapid Visa. We will take care of the entire process, so that there are no delays and the chances of rejection of your visa application are minimised.
