Job Discussion Forums

[Railway3]

Hi
I have two unmarried Spanish female friends who are interested to explore the Saudi culture and the kingdom itself. They live in Spain and we were studing together in the UK. Can they come on tourist visa or can I sponsor them to visit me? If so what is the procedure? Can anyone please help?
With thanks

[Sheikh N Bake]

Ha ha! I can imagine the classified: "Help! We're two sexy female students from Spain, and we're bored! We look for generous bachelor to show us a good time in Riyadh and let us sleep at his house because maybe we are sexy but we are poor. Prefer engineer, doctor or business executive. Ay caramba!"

[johnslat]

Dear Sheik,

Do you have a basis for (seemingly) assuming that Railway3 is male?

Dear Railway3,

The chances of your being able to sponsor them are nil. As for their getting a "tourist visa." well:

"All visitors require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, and visas are only granted to those with sponsorship in the country. Tourist visas are granted only to selected groups on a limited basis, and all visitors to Saudi Arabia are required to have a valid passport with at least six months validity, in addition to the appropriate visa and a return ticket, with all necessary documents.

Due to the strict requirements of Saudi Arabia, women entering the Kingdom alone must be met by a sponsor or male relative and have confirmed accommodation for the duration of their stay. Additionally, entry may be refused to any visitor judged as behaving indecently, according to Saudi Arabia law and tradition.'

The website of the Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C. doesn't even mention "tourist visas."

Visas
Contact the visa section of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC, or one of the Saudi Arabian consulates in New York, Houston or Los Angeles.

Business Visit Visa
Diplomatic And Official Visa
Employment Visa
Extension of Exit/Re-Entry Visa
Family Visit Visa
Government Visit Visa
Residence Visa
Student Visa
Transit Visa
Hajj Visa
Umrah Visa

I think your two friends' chances of visiting the Kingdom are about equivalent to that of a snowball in the Nether Regions. Unless, of course, they're Muslim - then they could come on Hajj visas.

Regards,
John

[scot47]

Tell them to convert. That will allow them a Pilgrim's Visa for Haj.They can repent later.

[Railway3]

I have visited the saudi embassy websites of different countries and I am aware of that the embassy in Washington DC and some others don't even mention tourist visa. But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website has got options to apply for a tourist visa https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/eDefault.asp) and even for personal visit visa! That is what made me confused...

[johnslat]

Dear Railway3

I believe this is the only tour of Saudi Arabia your friends are likely to experience:

A Virtual Tour of Saudi Arabia

http://www.toursaudiarabia.com/index.html

But heck - you might tey this:

Tourism Visa Service

- Guide book
- Tour Operators Authorized to issue Tourist visa
- Permitted Countries
- Electronic Access System:
-> Authorized User: Sign Up

-> First time User:

Dear browser, please contact the General Administration of Quality licenses and the SCTA to get a user name and password to you, to access the electronic system for the authorization of tourist visa for you to license the activity of organized tours.
For further assistance, and queries, contact us at:
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Tel: 8808288 009661 - Fax: 8808289 009661

http://www.scta.gov.sa/sites/english/Pages/tourism_visa.aspx

Regards,
John

[007]

[Arabian Hawk]

Tell the two unmarried Spanish girls they should go to Bahrain where they will have a whopping good time when they meet you and then you can match them up with the real men sporting beards and wearing thobes and ghutras who will no doubt try to marry them and take them back into the Magic Kingdom when NOT sober!!!