Saudi Arabia
Emigration and Visas in Saudi Arabia
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Saudi Arabia Emigration
Unlike other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Saudi Arabia does not warrant tourist visas, and it is not possible for a hotel to sponsor a visitor.
All government business in Saudi Arabia is conducted according to the Islamic calendar. Any Western date you encounter on official documents is there entirely for your convenience and is in no way to be interpreted as official. The official date is the Islamic one. Because the Islamic year is eleven days shorter than ours, confusion is not uncommon. For example, a one month visa is valid for an Islamic month, not a Western one. If you stay for a Western month, there is a distinct possibility you will have lapsed the visa by a day or two. If this is the case, you will inevitably encounter difficulties with the authorities when you attempt to leave the country.
Visitor visas
A visitor visa, which is effectively a business visa, is obtainable by invitation from the company or individual sponsoring the visitor. The invitation will include a visa number. The visa will state that the sponsor has acquired a visa for a visitor, and that the permission to issue that visa has been sent to the relevant Saudi embassy.
You must take this visa number to the embassy. As visas are issued by number, not by name, if you don't have one, there is absolutely no point in going to the embassy. No number; no visa.
Residence visa
If you are going to live and work in Saudi Arabia, there is a wealth of red tape that your sponsor will have to complete on your behalf.
You will also have to show copies of your employment contract and academic or professional qualifications. Another prerequisite is a thorough medical examination. An essential component of the medical exam is a blood test showing that you are HIV negative.
Once the paperwork is complete, you will be issued your visa number, permitting you to collect your visa, which will then be converted to a residence visa on arrival in Saudi.
Upon leaving the Saudi (for a holiday or business trip), your sponsor will acquire an exit/re-entry visa for you. If you are leaving the country and not returning, you will be issued an exit-only visa.
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