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Reviewed July 2024

30-second summary

To confirm the status of your Saudi Arabia visa, follow these steps:

  • visit the official portal of your choice (Muqeem or MOFA)
  • provide the required information
  • discover if your visa is approved, pending, or rejected

Possessing a valid visa document is an important prerequisite for all foreign nationals traveling from non-visa-exempt countries to Saudi Arabia. Moreover, knowing your visa status provides the confidence to make travel arrangements, including flight and accommodation bookings, once your visa is approved. 

Simultaneously, keeping a close eye on your visa status is crucial for adhering to immigration rules, as traveling with an expired or rejected visa can lead to legal issues, fines, or even deportation. 

If you would like to learn how you can check the validity or authenticity of your Saudi visa, this article on Wego addresses just that.

How to check the Saudi visa status online?

There are numerous ways to check your Saudi visa. With just a few clicks, you can access the online portal and input your visa or Iqama number

To verify the status of your Saudi Arabia visa application, you’ll require the following information:

  • application number: Make use of the unique application number given at the time of visa application submission
  • visa application number: monitor your application status using your specific visa application number
  • passport information: in certain instances, you may need to input your passport details and the application reference number to access your visa status

Please note that additional documents may be required for each online portal.

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Saudi visa check on MOFA by passport number

You can check the status of your Saudi visa online using your passport number through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website. 

Here are the steps you can take to check the validity of your Saudi visa.

  • go to https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/
  • select ‘Visa Application Number’ on the inquiry type
  • provide your application number and passport number
  • enter the Captcha code correctly
  • click on ‘search’ 

Provided you’ve entered all the required information correctly, the next page will display all information concerning your Saudi visa.

If you wish to check your Saudi visa stamping status, visit our dedicated Saudi visa stamping article. 

Alternatively, for all things MOFA-related, please refer to our dedicated MOFA Visa platform article.

Saudi visa check on Muqeem by Iqama or visa number

You can check the status of your Saudi visa using your Iqama number or visa number through the Muqeem portal. No login is necessary, and with the required information, you can determine your visa validity within seconds.

Follow these steps to check your visa status via the Muqeem portal:

  • login to the Muqeem Portal.
  • input your visa and Iqama number.
  • click on ‘Check.’

We’ve written about the Muqeem Saudi visa check extensively in our dedicated article. Please refer to our Muqeem visa validity article for more information.

What does your Saudi visa status mean?

Here are explanations for each of the various categories of visa statuses in Saudi Arabia:

  • pending: Saudi immigration authorities are reviewing your visa application, and a decision has not yet been reached.
  • approved: Your visa application has been successfully processed and authorized. You are now eligible to enter Saudi Arabia for the purpose and duration specified in your visa application.
  • rejected: Unfortunately, your visa application has been denied. This may be due to incomplete documentation, discrepancies in your information, or failure to meet the eligibility criteria.
  • issued: This status indicates that the Saudi embassy or consulate has processed and granted your visa. You can proceed to collect your visa and make your travel arrangements.
  • expired: If your visa’s validity period has lapsed and you have not entered Saudi Arabia, its status will change to “expired.” You will need to reapply for a new visa if you intend to visit.

What to do if your Saudi visa application is rejected?

If your Saudi visa application is rejected, you will receive an official notification indicating the denial. While this notification may sometimes offer an explanation for the rejection, it’s not always guaranteed.

Here’s what you should consider in case of a rejection:

  • review the rejection reasons: If the notification provides reasons for the rejection, it’s crucial to carefully assess them. Common causes for rejection can include incomplete documentation, discrepancies in the information provided, or not meeting the eligibility criteria
  • reapplying: In the event of a rejection, you do have the option to reapply. However, addressing and rectifying the issues that led to the initial rejection before submitting a new application is essential. This increases your chances of a successful application in your subsequent attempt.

What is the Saudi visa validity?

While there are several methods online to verify the validity of your visa in Saudi Arabia, it is advisable to know the standard validity period of the visas, which are as follows:

  • tourist visa: The visa is valid for up to one full year (365 days) with a maximum 90-day duration of stay at one time and multiple entries. For single-entry tourist visas, the validity is now extended to three months with a 30-day duration of stay
  • business visa: A Saudi business visa is valid for 30 to 60 days, depending on the country of origin and the letter of invitation issued by the MOFA-KSA. Multiple-entry business visas can be issued for 6 months, 1, 2, or 5 years, with a maximum duration of stay of 90 days per trip.
  • family visit visa: Single-entry family visit visas are valid for 30 days, while multiple-entry visas are valid for 90 days. With multiple-entry visas, it is possible to re-enter Saudi Arabia up to 4 times, with each visit lasting up to 90 days
  • personal visit visa: The personal visit visa allows travelers to stay in the country for 90 days and is valid for 90 days for a single entry and 365 days for multiple entries
  • Hajj and Umrah visa: The Hajj visa is valid for 30 days, while the Umrah visa is valid for three months.
  • Saudi work visa: The visas are valid for one year from the date of issuance and allow foreign nationals to work in the country for up to six months in that one-year period without having to apply for a residence permit

What to do if you cannot check your Saudi visa status?

When encountering issues while checking your visa status, consider these simple troubleshooting steps to ensure a smoother process:

  • verify entered information: the first and foremost step is to double-check the accuracy of the information you enter, such as your passport number and application code
  • address captcha or image verification: if you’re having trouble with the captcha or image verification, carefully type in the characters provided. When the image is difficult to read, most websites offer the option to refresh it or request a new one
  • change your web browser: try using a different web browser if you encounter problems. Some websites may function more efficiently on specific browsers
  • clear browser cache: if the website fails to load correctly, consider clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. Occasionally, saved data can lead to issues in loading pages
  • patience is key: in cases where the website experiences high traffic or technical difficulties, it may not function correctly. Waiting and attempting to recheck your visa status later is advisable for a smoother experience.

 

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