Update on Governmental Fees for Saudi Visas

Analysis

Saudi visa applicants from foreign countries are subject to a revised fee schedule for various categories of visas with immediate effect.

Following Fragomen ME Immigration News Flash number 47/2016, Saudi visa applicants all over the world are subject to a revised fee schedule for various categories of visas. Invitation letters for visa processing purposes issued before 2nd October 2016 are not accepted.

Applicants and their sponsors must obtain a new invitation letter before the visa application appointment with the Saudi visa application centre in the UAE (VFS Tasheel).

Below are examples of new processing fees at the VFS Tasheel in Dubai:

Warning: the following table is malformed, its content may be illegible.

VISA CATEGORY	VISA VALIDITY AND / OR NUMBER OFENTRIES	NORMAL FEE	"LOUNGE" FEE
	Single entry	AED 2,233	AED 2,435
Commercial visit visa	6-month, multiple entry	AED 3,261	AED 3,463
	12-month, multiple entry	AED 5,318	AED 5,520
	24-month, multiple entry	AED 8,402	AED 8,604

The above fees will not apply in case of an existing bilateral agreement between Saudi Arabia and a third-country, such as the United States.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals