Doing Business in Saudi Arabia - International Franchise Association

visas will likely become the norm over time. Visas are not available upon arrival at ports of entry
yet, but the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reviewing the process of granting business visas
at ports of entry for OECD nationals.
In order to obtain a visitor’s visa for business purposes, a U.S. company representative is
required to submit a letter of invitation from a sponsoring entity in Saudi Arabia. The invitation
letter must be in Arabic, the American applicant may present a copy of the original letter, the
letter must be on the sponsoring organization’s letterhead and must bear an authenticating
stamp of the local Saudi Chamber of Commerce. The letter should name the visa applicant,
passport number, company name and address, approximate dates of visit, and reason for visit
(e.g., business meetings).
It is recommended that the American applicant’s company use the company’s letterhead when
requesting the Saudi embassy’s/consulates’ cooperation in issuing the visa. The visa applicant
must apply for and receive the visa prior to departing the United States at either the Saudi
Embassy in Washington or at Saudi Consulates in Houston, Los Angeles or New York City.
Once the visa is placed in the passport, it is usually valid for one month and must be used or
officially canceled before a subsequent visa will be issued. The visa may be extended at the
discretion of the Saudi Embassy or Consulate prior to the expiration date.
If the American applicant does not have a Saudi sponsor, U.S. Commercial Service offices in
Saudi Arabia can advise on how to make initial contacts with potential sponsors. Please note
that the U.S. Embassy and Consulates General cannot sponsor private American citizens for
Saudi visas.
Occasionally the Saudi consular officer may require the applicant to obtain the visa through a
more time-consuming process involving approval by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Women traveling alone, Americans of Arab origin and private consultants are often required to
use this process. Resident visas also are available through a separate process.
It is also worth mentioning that travelers with an Israeli visa in their passport could be denied a
Saudi visa. If a traveler already has an Israeli visa in their passport, it is highly recommended
that the traveler obtain a new passport prior to requesting a Saudi visa. Further, if a traveler
arrives at the Saudi Arabian immigration desk with an Israeli visa or entry-exit stamp, it is very
possible that Saudi immigration could deny the traveler entry to Saudi Arabia.
A medical report, including an AIDS test, is required to obtain a work and residence permit.
This includes a medical certification. For further information on entry requirements, travelers
may contact the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC, or one of the Consulates in
New York, Houston, or Los Angeles.
There is an airport departure fee of SAR 50 (US$13.30) per traveler. Members of airline crews,
infants (under the age of two), and passengers in transit less than 24 hours are exempt from
paying this fee. The fee is payable to the travel agent through which the ticket is booked.
U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should allow
sufficient time for visa issuance if required. Visa applicants should go to the following links.
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
American Embassy in Riyadh: http://riyadh.usembassy.gov/
Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C.: http://www.saudiembassy.net/