Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa
Saudi Arabia Tourist Visit Visa · For Pakistan citizens
Planning a trip to Saudi Arabia as a Pakistani citizen? This guide covers everything you need for your Saudi tourist visa application: required documents including passport, photographs, bank statements showing $750 monthly income, biometric enrollment at Tasheer centers, fees starting from SAR 300 (approximately PKR 23,000), and processing times of 7-14 working days. With proper documentation and strong financial proof, approval rates are high for well-prepared Pakistani applicants.
Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa for Pakistani Citizens (2025) - Document Checklist
For Pakistan citizens · VisaBeat.com
Document Checklist
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia
Recent passport-sized photographs meeting Saudi specifications
Valid Pakistani National Identity Card
Recent bank statement demonstrating sufficient funds and regular income
Fingerprints and photograph captured at Tasheer center
Round-trip flight booking showing entry and exit from Saudi Arabia
Confirmed accommodation booking for your entire stay
Documentation proving your employment or business status in Pakistan
Health insurance coverage for your stay in Saudi Arabia
Recommended (Optional)
If you hold a valid visa from US, UK, or Schengen countries, you can apply for e-visa directly
Application Process
Pakistani citizens have two main pathways to obtain a Saudi tourist visa, depending on whether they hold a valid visa from certain countries.1
Option 1: Direct E-Visa (If You Have US/UK/Schengen Visa)
If you hold a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa that has been used at least once, you can apply directly through the official Saudi e-visa portal:1
- Visit visa.visitsaudi.com and create an account
- Select your nationality and provide passport details
- Upload required documents (passport scan, photo)
- Pay the visa fee (approximately SAR 535 including insurance) online
- Receive your e-visa via email within 24-48 hours
Option 2: Through Tasheer Center (Standard Route)
Most Pakistani applicants must apply through Tasheer visa service centers with biometric enrollment:4
- Gather all required documents (passport, photographs, bank statements, CNIC, employment letter)
- Book an appointment online at vc.tasheer.com
- Visit your nearest Tasheer center (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, or Multan)
- Complete biometric enrollment (fingerprints and photograph)
- Submit your application and documents
- Pay the visa fee plus service charges
- Track your application status online
- Collect your passport with visa stamp or receive via courier (7-14 working days)
Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) Service
Tasheer offers a home service in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi where a team visits your location to handle the entire application process including biometrics.4 Contact vayd_pak@tasheer.com for availability.
Fees
| Visa Type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E-Visa (with US/UK/Schengen visa) | SAR 535 (~PKR 41,000) | Includes basic health insurance |
| Single Entry (via Tasheer) | SAR 300-500 (~PKR 23,000-38,000) | Plus Tasheer service fees |
| Agency Package | SAR 500-800 (~PKR 38,000-62,000) | Includes all service fees |
Fees are subject to change.1 Agency fees vary depending on the service provider and package selected. Always confirm current fees before applying.
What You Need to Prove
Saudi visa officers assess applications based on:23
- Financial capacity: Bank statements showing minimum $750 monthly income, demonstrating you can afford your trip
- Genuine tourist intent: Clear travel plans with confirmed bookings for accommodation and flights
- Return intent: Confirmed return ticket and strong ties to Pakistan (employment, family, property)
- Valid documentation: All documents meeting Saudi specifications and matching your passport details exactly
- Clean record: No history of visa violations or overstays in GCC countries
Processing Times
| Application Method | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| E-Visa (eligible applicants) | 24-48 hours |
| Tasheer Center | 7-14 working days |
| Peak Season (Ramadan, Hajj) | Up to 20 working days |
Processing times exclude weekends (Friday-Saturday in Saudi Arabia) and public holidays.1 During peak religious seasons, processing may take significantly longer. Temporary visa suspensions occur during Hajj season (typically April to mid-June).
Recent Policy Changes (2025)
Several important policy changes affect Pakistani applicants:5
- February 2025: Saudi Arabia replaced one-year multiple-entry visas with single-entry 30-day visas for Pakistani citizens and 13 other nationalities. This change aims to prevent visa misuse and unauthorized Hajj participation
- Financial requirement: Bank statements must now show minimum $750 monthly credits, reduced from previous higher thresholds
- Seasonal restrictions: Tourist and Umrah visas are temporarily suspended during Hajj season (typically April to mid-June)
- Biometric requirement: All applicants must complete biometric enrollment at Tasheer centers
These changes reflect Saudi Arabia’s efforts to manage visa compliance while maintaining strong tourism ties with Pakistan, which saw a 43% increase in arrivals in 2023.
After Your Visa is Approved
Once your visa is approved:4
- Collect your passport from Tasheer center or receive via courier
- Print your e-visa if you applied online
- Verify all details match your passport exactly
- At Saudi immigration, present your visa and passport
- You may be asked about your accommodation and travel plans
- Immigration will stamp your passport with the entry date
- Register your travel with the Pakistan embassy in Riyadh for emergencies
Important: Overstaying results in fines (SAR 100+ per day), detention, and potential deportation with a multi-year re-entry ban. Always respect your visa validity dates.
If Your Visa is Refused
If your application is rejected:34
- Request the refusal reason: Ask your agency or check the Tasheer portal for specific details about why the application was rejected
- Address the problems: Improve financial evidence (ensure $750 monthly income is visible), correct documentation errors, or resolve photo issues
- Wait if necessary: If rejected for previous violations, wait at least 2-3 years before reapplying
- Reapply: There is no formal appeal process, but you can reapply with improved documentation
- Consider the e-visa route: If possible, obtain a US, UK, or Schengen visa first to access the simpler e-visa process
Most rejections are due to financial documentation or paperwork issues that can be corrected with proper preparation. Work closely with your authorized agency to ensure all requirements are met.
Common Rejection Reasons
Based on official refusal data for this corridor
Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation
Missing documents, unclear scans, or documents not meeting Saudi specifications. Many rejections occur due to poor quality photographs, missing CNIC copies, or incomplete paperwork submitted at Tasheer centers.
How to avoid: Create a checklist and verify all documents before your Tasheer appointment. Ensure photos meet exact specifications (white background, proper size). Have all originals and copies ready.
Insufficient Financial Evidence
Bank statements not showing the required $750 minimum monthly credit, suspicious large deposits, or irregular transaction patterns that raise concerns about trip affordability.
How to avoid: Maintain consistent income credits of at least $750 (PKR 210,000) monthly for several months before applying. Show regular salary credits and avoid unexplained large deposits close to application.
Information Mismatches
Discrepancies between passport details and application form, including spelling errors, wrong passport numbers, CNIC mismatches, or inconsistent dates across documents.
How to avoid: Copy information exactly as it appears in your passport. Ensure CNIC details match passport. Review every field before submission and have someone else verify your application.
Previous Visa Violations
History of overstaying visas in Saudi Arabia or other GCC countries, deportations, or evidence of working illegally on previous tourist or Umrah visas.
How to avoid: Always respect visa validity periods. If you have past violations, wait at least 2-3 years before reapplying. Be honest about your travel history as Saudi authorities maintain detailed records.
Passport or Photo Issues
Passport expiring within 6 months, damaged passport, insufficient blank pages, or photographs not meeting strict Saudi requirements for format and specifications.
How to avoid: Renew your passport well before travel if it expires within 6 months. Use a professional photo studio familiar with Saudi visa requirements. Ensure at least 2 blank pages available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pakistani citizens get a Saudi tourist visa?
Yes, Pakistani citizens can obtain a Saudi tourist visa. However, Pakistan is not among the 66 countries eligible for the direct e-visa. Pakistanis must apply through authorized agencies and complete biometric enrollment at Tasheer centers. If you hold a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa, you can apply for an e-visa online or get visa-on-arrival.
How much does a Saudi tourist visa cost for Pakistanis?
The base tourist visa fee is SAR 300 (approximately PKR 23,000). Through authorized agencies with Tasheer service fees, total costs range from SAR 500-800 (PKR 38,000-62,000). If eligible for e-visa through the US/UK/Schengen visa route, the fee is approximately SAR 535 including insurance.
How long does Saudi visa processing take for Pakistani applicants?
Through Tasheer centers and authorized agencies, processing takes 7-14 working days. If you have a valid US/UK/Schengen visa and apply for e-visa, processing takes 24-48 hours. Apply at least 3 weeks before travel to allow for any delays, especially during peak seasons.
What is the maximum stay allowed on a Saudi tourist visa for Pakistanis?
As of February 2025, Pakistani citizens receive single-entry tourist visas valid for 30 days. The previous one-year multiple-entry option allowing up to 90 days per visit has been suspended for Pakistani passport holders along with 13 other nationalities.
What is Tasheer and why is it required?
Tasheer is the official visa facilitation service for Saudi Arabia in Pakistan. Since Pakistani citizens are not eligible for direct e-visa, you must visit a Tasheer center to submit documents, complete biometric enrollment (fingerprints and photograph), and process your application. Tasheer centers are located in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, and Multan.
What is the minimum bank balance required for Saudi tourist visa?
Pakistani applicants must provide a bank statement showing minimum monthly credits of $750 (approximately PKR 210,000). This should be consistent over 3-6 months. Large unexplained deposits close to your application date may raise concerns and should be avoided.
Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa?
Yes, the Saudi tourist visa allows you to perform Umrah (excluding Hajj). You must book your Umrah and Ziyarah appointments through the official Nusuk platform (nusuk.sa) before visiting holy sites in Mecca and Medina. Note that during Hajj season, there may be temporary restrictions on tourist and Umrah visas.
Can I get visa-on-arrival in Saudi Arabia as a Pakistani?
Only if you hold a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa (preferably used at least once) and are flying on Saudi carriers Saudia or Flynas. Otherwise, Pakistani citizens must obtain their visa before travel through Tasheer centers and authorized agencies.
What happens if my Saudi visa is rejected?
Review the rejection reason carefully and address the issues before reapplying. Common fixes include improving financial evidence ($750 monthly income proof), correcting documentation errors, or providing better quality photographs. There is no formal appeal process, but you can reapply with improved documentation through your agency.
Is there a visa ban on Pakistanis visiting Saudi Arabia?
There is no permanent ban. However, Saudi Arabia temporarily suspends tourist, Umrah, and family visit visas for Pakistani nationals (and other countries) during Hajj season, typically from April to mid-June. Additionally, since February 2025, the one-year multiple-entry visa has been replaced with single-entry 30-day visas for Pakistani citizens.