Nestled between two continents, Saudi Arabia spreads over 2.1 million square kilometres, making it almost as big as the entire Western Europe, according to information provided by the Central Intelligence Agency. The country is known for its rich history, diverse landscape and religious significance to the Muslim world.
Until recently, Saudi Arabia had closed its doors to tourists, with the only exception being Muslims wanting to make a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. But, as part of its Vision 2030, the kingdom is now allowing foreign tourists into the country. The country has also decided to grant e-visas to citizens of 49 countries, including Japan. This is a result of discussions that took place between the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the then Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito.
So, whether you wish to visit the Tsurufu district of Direiya, the historic city of Jeddah, or the multiple luxury resorts of Saudi Arabia, you can now do so without going through lengthy diplomatic formalities. The only thing you need to do is first get to know the visa requirements for Japanese citizens.
The Saudi Arabia E-Visa
A Saudi Arabian e-visa allows Japanese citizens to travel to the country for a duration of up to 90 days, within a one-year period. The visa also allows you to enter the kingdom multiple times during the valid period. The entire process of visa application has become simplified with the introduction of the e-visa. You no longer need to present your original documents or take an appointment at the embassy or consulate.
Japanese citizens traveling with minors must apply on behalf of their children for an e-visa.
What Are The Documents Required For Saudi Arabia Visa?
The documents that Japanese citizens need while applying for the Saudi e-visa include:
VALID PASSPORT
You must have a Japanese passport that is valid for at least six months after your departure from Saudi Arabia. The passport must also contain at least two blank pages.
PHOTOGRAPH
Digital copy of a recent passport photograph is needed. The photograph must be in colour, taken against a white background. The face of the applicant should be clearly visible in the photograph.
EMAIL ADDRESS
Your e-visa will be sent to you via email. So, it is important that you have a functional email account.
MEANS OF PAYMENT
The visa fee can be paid via credit or debit card online.
Do I Need To Buy Health Insurance To Travel To Saudi Arabia?
It is mandatory to have health insurance linked to the e-visa, according to the Saudi Arabia visa policy. The insurance can only be issued by a provider approved by the Saudi government. The good news is that this policy is arranged for visitors by the Saudi government. So, you do not need to separately buy a policy before traveling.
The cost of the health insurance policy is covered in the visa fee. The insurance provides cover of up to SAR 100,000 in healthcare costs, in case of any medical emergency.
How To Apply For A Saudi E-Visa?
The visa application process can be completed online, in a few simple steps:
VISIT SAUDI ARABIA VISA WEBSITE
The first step of this process is to visit the official visa website of Saudi Arabia. Be sure to go to the official site, since there are several lookalikes present online as well.
CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
The next step is to create your account for the e-visa. For this, you need to fill certain personal details, such as your first name, last name, email address and phone number. You also need to choose the type of passport and country of issuance. Once, you have submitted all the details, you will receive a verification link on the email address you have provided. You need to activate your account by clicking on this link.
APPLICATION FORM
The Saudi Arabia e-visa application form only takes a few minutes to fill. You have to fill in your personal details, such as name, gender, address, marital status, date of birth, etc. You also need to enter your accommodation details, travel plans, purpose of travel, passport details, and so on. Make sure that all the details are filled correctly to the best of your knowledge to avoid any delay or rejection.
MAKE THE PAYMENT
The last step of this process is to pay the visa fee. The visa fee is SAR 463.44 and can be paid by means of a debit or credit card. For each day the visitor overstays, an additional fee of SAR 100 is applied. The visa fee includes the medical insurance fee, transaction fee and 5% VAT.
Safety Travel Advice For Visitors
- Men, as well as women, must make sure to be modestly dressed in public. Women must cover their knees and shoulders at all times.
- Alcohol, pork, pornography and anything against Islam are strictly prohibited.
- Individuals belonging to the LGBT community must not display any kind of same sex relations in public.
- It is advisable to carry your identification with you at all times. It is common to be asked for identification, especially at checkpoints.
- Avoid clicking pictures of government establishments, such as ministry buildings, airports and military facilities.
The e-visa has made the whole process a lot simpler and hassle-free. However, if you are facing any problems or are a first timer, consider using the services of an experienced agency, such as Rapid Visa. We will take care of the entire process for you, so that you have a completely smooth visa experience.
