KSA Visas changes
Aug 9, 2016 | 11:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midwest/Mideast (ORD/DTW/FNT/BAH)
Programs: QR Gold/Gulf Air Gold/UA Gold
Posts: 345
KSA Visas changes
Significant changes to the Saudi visa fees to take effect in early October
The only good point from this change in fees are first time pilgrimmage fees for both Hajj and Umrah are free.
Everything else stinks, both for visas to visit and for expats living in Saudi
Single visit visa
Before - SR 200
Now - SR 2000
Multiple visit visas:
Before - 6 months to 5 years - SR 400
Now - 6 months - SR 3000
1 year - SR 5000
2 years - SR 8000
Exit/reentry
Before - single - SR 100
multiple (6 months) - SR 500
Now - single - SR 200 (for 1 month and SR 100 per month thereafter)
multiple - SR 500 (for 3 months and SR 200 per month thereafter)
http://www.arabnews.com/node/966771/saudi-arabia
The only good point from this change in fees are first time pilgrimmage fees for both Hajj and Umrah are free.
Everything else stinks, both for visas to visit and for expats living in Saudi
Single visit visa
Before - SR 200
Now - SR 2000
Multiple visit visas:
Before - 6 months to 5 years - SR 400
Now - 6 months - SR 3000
1 year - SR 5000
2 years - SR 8000
Exit/reentry
Before - single - SR 100
multiple (6 months) - SR 500
Now - single - SR 200 (for 1 month and SR 100 per month thereafter)
multiple - SR 500 (for 3 months and SR 200 per month thereafter)
http://www.arabnews.com/node/966771/saudi-arabia
Aug 10, 2016 | 4:27 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: SIN
Programs: EK Blue, EY Guest, AA, QR
Posts: 289
Just read an article supporting the changes by saying most countries in the world charge fees for visas and that expats have it very well in KSA and so it should not be a problem ... I mean, well ... 
Aug 10, 2016 | 11:27 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midwest/Mideast (ORD/DTW/FNT/BAH)
Programs: QR Gold/Gulf Air Gold/UA Gold
Posts: 345
For expats, perhaps they could afford it.... But its all about proportionality. We are not talking about 10-20% increases.
Aug 11, 2016 | 1:40 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH FTL, EK Gold, SPG P100, IHG Gold, Carlson Silver, HHonors Silver
Posts: 32
People who visit KSA on visit visas most likely fall in one of these two categories:
- Hajj and Umrah pilgrims (visa cost waived for the first visit),
- Business travellers (visa cost reimbursed by their employers).
So this looks aimed at companies bringing consultants/salespeople from outside the Kingdom on a regular basis...
I wonder what the actual price will be, as my current 6m multiple visit visa cost ~650 SAR (officially 400 SAR).
Sep 22, 2016 | 12:43 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indonesia
Posts: 362
as anticipated, the visa fee is changed. got this from friends.
interesting wording on umrah visa fee - first timer = free (within one hijriah year [Muharram-Dzulhijjah]). unlike the hajj visa which is clearly stated only free once in lifetime, is umrah visa fee waived once per year based on that embassy letter?
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Sep 22, 2016 | 5:26 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 18,303
isn't the thinking likely to be umrah is promoted as an any-time, recurring visit; while haj is a single obligation over the key days of Zulhijja, with multiple visits putting pressure on infrastructure?
Sep 22, 2016 | 8:23 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indonesia
Posts: 362
it's very understandable in hajj point of view, but might become quite unfortunate for umrah pilgrims.
what I highlight is the different wording on umrah and hajj - the presence of 'once in a lifetime' wording. some folks interpret it differently on umrah visa. I guess I'll just wait for KSA clarification (if any), or friends experience.