About Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula and one of the world's most important destinations for religious tourism, business, and cultural exploration. Home to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, the Kingdom welcomes millions of visitors every year for Umrah, business meetings, tourism, and international events.
Visitors can explore iconic attractions such as AlUla, Riyadh Boulevard, Edge of the World, Diriyah, Jeddah Corniche, the Red Sea coastline, and the futuristic city of NEOM. With its rich Islamic heritage, modern infrastructure, and ambitious Vision 2030 initiatives, Saudi Arabia offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation.
Know More →What to Know While Visiting Saudi Arabia
Indian passport holders are required to obtain a valid Saudi Arabia visa before travelling. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia. Keep your confirmed flight tickets, hotel reservations, travel itinerary, passport-sized photographs, proof of sufficient funds, and other supporting documents ready when applying for your visa.
Visa Requirements:
Most Indian travellers require a valid Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa or Business Visa before entering the Kingdom. Ensure your passport has a minimum validity of six months from the date of arrival. Depending on the purpose of your visit, additional documents such as hotel bookings, return flight tickets, invitation letters, travel insurance, and financial proof may be required.
Food & Drinks:
Saudi Arabia offers a rich culinary experience featuring traditional Arabian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Popular dishes include:
- Kabsa
- Mandi
- Jareesh
- Mutabbaq
- Shawarma
- Falafel
- Hummus
- Kunafa
- Arabic Coffee (Qahwa)
- Fresh Dates & Mint Tea
Vegetarian, halal, and international dining options are available throughout Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, and Dammam.
Weather:
Saudi Arabia has a hot desert climate throughout most of the year.
- Summer (May–September): 35°C to 50°C
- Winter (November–February): 10°C to 28°C
- Spring & Autumn: Pleasant temperatures suitable for sightseeing.
The best time to visit Saudi Arabia is between October and March, when the weather is cooler and ideal for tourism, religious visits, and outdoor activities.
Currency:
The official currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal (SAR). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, and major tourist attractions. ATMs and currency exchange centres are available throughout the Kingdom.
Transportation:
Saudi Arabia has a modern transportation network. Visitors can travel using:
- Domestic Flights
- Saudi Railways (SAR)
- Metro (Riyadh Metro)
- Public Buses
- Taxis
- Uber & Careem
- Car Rentals
Major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam have excellent road infrastructure, making travel comfortable and convenient.
Language:
The official language of Saudi Arabia is Arabic. English is commonly spoken in hotels, airports, shopping centres, restaurants, and business establishments.
Connectivity:
Saudi Arabia offers excellent mobile and internet connectivity. Visitors can purchase local SIM cards from providers such as:
- STC (Saudi Telecom Company)
- Mobily
- Zain Saudi Arabia
Free Wi-Fi is available in airports, hotels, shopping malls, cafés, and many public places.
Shopping & Souvenirs:
Saudi Arabia offers a wide variety of traditional and luxury shopping experiences. Popular souvenirs include:
- Ajwa & Premium Dates
- Arabic Perfumes (Oud & Bakhoor)
- Prayer Mats
- Islamic Calligraphy
- Gold Jewellery
- Traditional Arabian Coffee Pots (Dallah)
- Spices & Saffron
- Miswak (Natural Tooth Stick)
- Traditional Saudi Handicrafts
- Abayas & Thobes
Visa Requirements
Indian passport holders are required to obtain a Saudi Arabia visa before travelling. Depending on the purpose of travel, applicants may apply for a Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Family Visit Visa, Umrah Visa, or Work Visa. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the intended date of travel.
Documents Required for Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa:
-
Original Passport
Submit your original passport with a validity of at least six months from the intended date of travel. The passport must contain a minimum of two consecutive blank visa pages for visa stamping. -
Recent Passport-size Photograph
Provide one recent colour photograph measuring 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm. The photograph should not be older than three months, must have a white background, and should clearly show the applicant's full frontal face without any shadows. -
Confirmed Flight Booking
Submit a confirmed flight itinerary including both onward and return air tickets to demonstrate your travel plans. -
Hotel Reservation
Provide a confirmed hotel booking covering the entire duration of your stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. If staying with a host, additional accommodation documents may be required.
Documents Required for Saudi Arabia Business Visa
A Saudi Arabia Business Visa allows Indian citizens to travel to the Kingdom for business meetings, conferences, exhibitions, negotiations, trade activities, and other commercial purposes. Applicants must obtain an official invitation letter issued through the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) before applying.
-
Original Passport
Submit your original passport with a minimum validity of six months from the intended date of travel. The passport must have at least two consecutive blank visa pages. -
Recent Passport-size Photograph
Provide a recent colour passport-size photograph measuring 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm. The photograph should not be older than three months, must have a white background, and clearly display the applicant's full frontal face. -
Invitation Letter (MOFA)
Submit the original or electronic invitation letter approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Saudi Arabia. The invitation should clearly mention the purpose of the business visit. -
Company Covering Letter
A covering letter from the applicant's employer addressed to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, stating the purpose of travel, duration of stay, applicant's designation, and confirming that the company will bear the travel expenses (if applicable). -
Commercial Registration (CR) Copy
Provide a copy of the Commercial Registration (CR) certificate of the inviting company in Saudi Arabia. -
Employee ID Card
Submit a copy of your valid company Employee Identity Card. -
Educational Certificates (if applicable)
Educational certificates may be required for certain professions. These documents should be duly apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, where applicable. -
Chamber of Commerce Letter
Submit the original Chamber of Commerce letter mentioning the applicant's designation and the purpose of the visit, if required by the Embassy. -
Confirmed Flight Booking
Provide confirmed onward and return flight reservations for your proposed travel dates. -
Hotel Reservation
Submit a confirmed hotel booking covering your entire stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. -
Bank Statement
Provide the original bank statement for the last three months, duly signed and stamped by the bank, showing sufficient financial funds to cover your stay. -
Travel Insurance
Submit valid travel insurance, if applicable, covering the entire duration of your stay in Saudi Arabia.