Saudi Arabia Starts Second Phase of E-Business Visa Processing, Investors with Diplomatic Passports Exempted from Remitting Visa Fee

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment (MISA) has initiated second phase of e-business visa processing in Saudi Arabia. This phase exempts investors holding diplomatic or special passports from visa fee payments. However, investors with official diplomatic status are not eligible for the exemption.

Furthermore, investors” passports must be valid for a minimum of six months, as stipulated in bilateral agreements with relevant countries. Additionally, the investors are required to stick on to their designated role and refrain from engaging paid or unpaid work as well as performing the Hajj pilgrimage.

Investors are also advised to avoid performing Umrah during the Hajj season. The “Visiting Investor” visa allows businesspeople from other countries to visit the Kingdom and explore its diverse and promising sectors.

According to MISA, there are 15 diverse promising sectors with high business potential awaiting investors. In the first phase, the country had issued investor visas to the citizens of Europe, Asia, North America and Oceania. In the second phase citizens from the countries which were not included in the first phase, will receive visas.