Foreign Visas for Saudis 2026: Schengen, US, UK, Canada — Requirements & Steps
Guide to Saudi applications for foreign visas — Schengen (29 European states), US B1/B2, UK Standard Visitor, Canada TRV, Australia — required documents and processing times.
The Saudi passport is one of the strongest in the Arab world, but major Western countries (Europe, US, UK, Canada, Australia) still require a prior visa. This guide covers each of their requirements for Saudi applicants, with best-practice tips for first-time approval.
Before starting: every visa requires a passport valid for more than 6 months from date of entry, and a photo per ICAO specs (white background, no smile, specific size).
Schengen visa (29 European countries)
Countries covered: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Czechia, and others. Not Schengen: UK, Ireland, Russia, Romania (joins 2026), Bulgaria (joins 2026).
Basic rule: apply to the embassy of the country you will:
- enter first, or
- stay longest in.
Required documents:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Completed application form | From embassy site or VFS |
| Passport | + old passports if any |
| Two photos | ICAO, white background |
| Confirmed flight booking | Round trip (not a final ticket, an option-hold booking) |
| Hotel booking covering all trip nights | Refundable hold |
| Bank statement 3-6 months | Should show a reasonable balance (~500 SAR × number of travel days minimum) |
| Employer letter | Stating salary and leave dates |
| Travel insurance covering min 30,000 EUR | Mandatory for Schengen |
| Commercial registration | For business owners |
| Ownership proof | Property deed or car (strengthens the application) |
Fee: 90 EUR for adults + ~50-100 SAR VFS center fee.
Processing time: 15 working days officially, up to 45 days in peak season.
Golden tip: attach a cover letter explaining who you are, why you're travelling, where you'll stay, and how you'll return. A one-page rational letter meaningfully raises approval odds.
US visa (B1/B2)
Most common type: B1 (business visit) / B2 (tourism or medical), typically issued together as one visa.
Duration: 10 years (multiple-entry) for Saudis — longer than 90% of world nationalities.
Steps:
- Fill DS-160 on ceac.state.gov — takes 1-2 hours.
- Pay visa fee: ~185 USD (~700 SAR). Payment method varies by bank — check embassy instructions.
- Book interview: at Riyadh embassy or Jeddah / Dhahran consulate. Appointments vary — may be 2-6 months out.
- Biometrics: before or on the interview day.
- The interview: short questions (2-5 minutes). The officer decides on the spot.
- Visa issuance: 5-10 working days after approval.
Documents at the interview:
- Passport.
- DS-160 confirmation page.
- Photo (per US specs).
- Fee payment receipt.
- Proof of Saudi ties: employment contract, property deed, family record.
Common refusal reasons: failing to prove intent to return (young applicant with no job or family), inconsistent info, weak travel history.
UK visa (Standard Visitor)
Duration: 6 months typically, or 2, 5, 10 years for multi-entry visitor visas.
Steps:
- Apply online at gov.uk/apply-uk-visa.
- Pay fees: ~115 GBP (~560 SAR) for a short visitor.
- Pay Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): ~300 GBP annually if you'll stay more than 6 months (not required for short visits).
- Book VFS appointment in Riyadh or Jeddah for biometrics.
- Upload documents online before the appointment.
Documents:
- Passport.
- Bank statement 6 months.
- Employer letter.
- Travel plans (hotel, flight).
- Proof of Saudi ties.
Processing time: 3-4 weeks.
Canada visa (Visitor Visa TRV)
Duration: usually 10 years multi-entry (bounded by passport validity).
Steps:
- Create an account at ircc.canada.ca.
- Complete form IMM 5257 and upload documents.
- Pay fees: 100 CAD (~275 SAR) + 85 CAD biometrics.
- Book a VFS biometrics appointment.
- Wait for the decision.
Processing time: 1-2 months typically.
Australia visa (Visitor 600)
Duration: 3-12 months per subclass, usually valid one year.
Steps:
- Apply online at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
- Fees: 190 AUD (~460 SAR).
- No interview typically — decision on documents.
- Processing: 2-6 weeks.
General tips for Saudi applicants
- Start at least two months before travel — especially for the US and UK.
- Never lie on the visa form: any false detail is caught in later checks.
- Bank balance matters: normal account activity without sudden inflows in the week before applying.
- Don't book a non-refundable flight before visa issuance: especially for the US and UK.
- If rejected, don't reapply immediately: understand the reason, address it, then reapply.
- Countries that rejected you appear in other countries' applications: be honest about any prior refusal.
Related articles
Sources:
الأسئلة الشائعة
A unified visa that opens 29 European countries with one application (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Greece…). Apply at the embassy or visa centre of the first country you'll enter, or the country of longest stay. Usually issued within 15 working days.
Official embassy fee typically 90 EUR (~375 SAR). Administrative fees for the application centre (like VFS) add ~50-100 SAR. Fees change — check the country's embassy site before applying.
Yes, Saudis need a B1/B2 visitor visa from the US embassy. There is no ESTA waiver for Saudis as of 2026. Applied online (DS-160 form) then a personal interview at the embassy (Riyadh) or consulate (Jeddah / Dhahran).
Interview appointment is typically booked 2-6 months out (season-dependent). After the interview, the visa is issued in 5-10 working days. Some cases need Administrative Processing that extends the timeline.
Easier than traditional visas: countries offering fast e-visas (Turkey, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Azerbaijan, Malaysia visa-on-arrival short stay), and those with full visa-free access for Saudis (Bahrain, UAE, Jordan, Japan, South Korea, Turkey for short tourism, and 100+ other countries).
Part of the series: Passport & Travel
Article 3 of 4Issuing and renewing the passport, visa-free destinations, foreign visas, and Hajj/Umrah permits.
- 1.Saudi Passport Guide 2026, Issuance, Renewal, and FeesPillar guide
- 2.Visa-Free Countries for Saudi Passport Holders 2026: Full List by Continent
- 3.Foreign Visas for Saudis 2026: Schengen, US, UK, Canada — Requirements & Steps
- 4.Nusuk Platform 2026: Umrah & Hajj Permits, Booking, and Overseas Pilgrims
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