Basic Travel Requirements for Ghanaians visiting
Saudi Arabia
Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to
apply for a Saudi Arabian Visa.
- A valid passport.
- Duly completed and signed visa application form.
- If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
- Passport-size photographs taken in white background.
- Travel document.
- Proof of financial support.
- Proof of accommodation
- Copy of return flight ticket
- Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
- Medical Insurance.
- Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
Saudi Arabia Visa for Ghanaians
Facts about Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is just the place to go to if you are looking to disconnect from the world. The country is regarded as the world’s most isolated nation. The internet and much of the 21st century is still quite unknown to the people living in the country.
Every year, the country receives between 4,000 to 6,000 Western tourists. The average number of foreign visitors in the country every year is 200,000. Concerted efforts are being made to ensure the number of people who visit the country reaches one million.
Foreigners are not allowed to take Saudi Riyals out of the country. There used to be restrictions on the interaction between foreign tourists and local people. However, those restrictions have been relaxed slightly in recent times. Disruptive behavior by tourists is not tolerated, this can lead to the imprisonment and torture of tourists.
Types of Saudi Arabia Visa
| Types of Visa | Processing Time | Duration of Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa | 1-3 weeks | 90 days |
| Business visa | 1-3 weeks | 90 days |
| Work visa | 1-3 weeks | 90 days |
General Requirements for Saudi Arabia Visa
- A valid passport.
- Duly completed and signed visa application form.
- If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
- Passport-size photographs taken in white background.
- Travel document.
- Proof of financial support.
- Proof of accommodation
- Copy of return flight ticket
- Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
- Medical Insurance.
- Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- Saudi Arabia does not currently issue tourist visas.
- But visas can be obtained from Saudi embassies and consulates for a range of purposes including employment, business, family visits, journalism, and studying.
- The Hajj Visa is a visitor visa available for Muslim travelers who wish to make a religious pilgrimage to Mecca.
- Each applicant for a Hajj visa must apply through a licensed Saudi travel agency.
- The agency must present the Consulate with copies of “Accommodation Contacts” and a letter from the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia confirming that the travel agency has duly completed all requirements to qualify to assist pilgrims.
- The applicant must have a passport with a validity of at least six (6) months and acceptable both for entry to Saudi Arabia and entry to the next destination.
- The passport should have at least two empty visa pages adjacent to each other.
- All women are required to travel for Hajj with a Mahram. Proof of kinship must be submitted with the application form.
- Women over the age of forty-five (45) may travel without a Mahram with an organized group.
- They must, however, submit a no-objection letter from the husband, son or brother authorizing her to travel for Hajj with the named group. This letter should be notarized.
Saudi Arabia Business Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- This is the type of visa issued to Ghanaians traveling to Saudi Arabia for business purposes.
- Nationals of all countries need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia except for citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.
- During the visa application, you will need an invitation letter from a Saudi-based company, approved by the Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia.
- You can sign contracts, partake in auctions and exhibitions and also speak at business-related events while on this visa.
- You will need to provide an invitation letter from the Saudi company you will be visiting.
- This letter will also contain their detailed address, accompanied with the date and actual purpose of your trip.
- If the intention is to attend a meeting or seminar, confirmation/invitation from the conference organizer/institution is required.
- If you are employed, you will have to present a certificate from your employer stating or allowing your business travel.
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the costs of stay (e.g. bank statement for 2 recent months) is required.
- You cannot be gainfully employed while you are in the country with this visa.
Saudi Arabia Work Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- You will need a work visa if you intend to take up paid employment in Saudi Arabia.
- The work visa is sponsored by an employer.
- This can be a Saudi company, a Saudi citizen or a foreign entity appropriately licensed to do business in Saudi Arabia.
- The employer must first register with the Ministry of Interior who will open an “immigration file”.
- This file will contain details of all expatriate employees with that employer.
- The sponsoring employer must be registered in Saudi Arabia and hold a valid commercial license.
- The employer may be asked to submit a variety of documents listed below. The employer will likely be asked to show a commitment to “Saudization” which is to prove that there are no Saudi citizens available to fill the position, and that the employer is taking steps to employ Saudi citizens where possible.
- The actual Work Visa is issued by the relevant Saudi embassy under the instruction of the Minisry of Foreign Affairs.
- At this point the employee will have to apply at the relevant Saudi Arabian embassy. The employee must submit an application form and the documents outlined below to the embassy.
- Processing times vary by embassy but generally 1-3 weeks.
Saudi Arabia Visa Fees
Tourist visa
180.00 (USD)
Business visa
180.00 (USD)
Work visa
180.00 (USD)
Saudi Arabia Visa Application Centres & Embassies in
Ghana
Accra
Address: No. 10 Noi. Fetreke Street, Roman Ridge, Airport Residential Area, Near Sunpot, Accra-Ghana
Email: ghemb@mofa.gov.sa
Phone: (+233) 30 277 4311 / (+233) 30 277 6651