Since the introduction of the electronic visa to enter de country in September of 2019, new travel options have opened up for Austrian citizens wishing to visit Saudi Arabia.
Historically, Saudi Arabia offered few entry options to international travelers. Admission was restricted for business and religious purposes only. Along with other nationalities around the world, Austrian citizens can now experience Saudi Arabia’s growing tourist economy with the help of a new, quick and easy online tourist visa application process.
After successfully hosting a series of global events on the world stage including the 2018 Saudi Ad Diriyah E-Prix, Saudi Arabia has sought to open itself to the world.
The introduction of the Saudi tourist visa is part of the Vision 2030 initiative implemented by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in order to enhance the country’s appeal to foreign travelers and to boost tourist arrivals to Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi eVisa is also planned to help increase the growth of tourism in neighboring countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar.
Apply for a Saudi Arabian Visa from Austria
Saudi Arabia is not visa-free for Austrian citizens: it is necessary to obtain a visa to travel to the country. The type of application depends on the main reason for traveling to Saudi Arabia. Visas can be issued for business, religious pilgrimage, or for tourism.
When on a holiday trip, the Saudi Arabia online visa application is the quickest and easiest way for an Austrian citizen to obtain travel authorization for Saudi Arabia. It can be completed online in just minutes, from the comfort of your own home.
An approved Saudi eVisa for Austrian citizens is valid for 1 year from the date of issue, and permits travel to Saudi Arabia for purposes of tourism only. Visitors can enter multiple times during the visa’s validity for periods of up to 90 days at a time.
When completing the Saudi Arabia online application, it is necessary to complete the form with all of the following information:
- Passport details – nationality, passport number, expiration date
- Personal information – full name, date of birth, residential address
- Travel itinerary – planned entry and exit dates, flight details
There are also a few security-related questions that the applicant will be asked to answer before submitting the online form.
Online payment made via credit or debit card is required to submit and finalize the application. Following the confirmation of online payment, a successful candidate will receive the eVisa for travel to Saudi Arabia via the email address provided during the application. Please allow up to 3-5 business days for receipt of the eVisa from the time of submitting your application.
The passport details entered on the Saudi Arabia Online Application must match those of the passport you intend to use to enter the kingdom. Otherwise, the eVisa will not be valid at arrival.
Upon entering Saudi Arabia, the Austrian national will need to present both the approved eVisa and passport for entry.
If the Austrian traveler wishes to return to Saudi Arabia after the expiry of their visa, it will be necessary to submit and obtain a new eVisa via the online application form.
Saudi Arabia Visa Requirements from Austria
Applicants for the online tourist visa are required to meet the following visa requirements for Austrian citizens in order to travel to Saudi Arabia:
- They must hold an Austrian passport must have at least 6 months validity from the date of entry to Saudi Arabia
- They must provide a current email address at which to receive the approved eVisa
- They must submit 1 passport-sized photo with dimensions of 200 x 200 pixels or 2.08 x 2.08 inches
- Applicants must also pay the Saudi visa fee with a valid credit or debit card.
Austrian applicants with dual citizenship should make sure they use the same passport to complete the Saudi eVisa application that they plan to use to travel to Saudi Arabia, as the approved visa will be electronically linked to that one passport.
Visa Requirements for Austrian Pilgrims to Hajj and Umrah
Austrian citizens traveling to Saudi Arabia for the religious pilgrimages of Hajj or Umrah require a special visa that is obtained through a different process.
Austrian pilgrims are required to work with a specialized agency, company or entity such as the Saudi Arabian embassy in Vienna and provide a range of supporting documentation to apply for a religious visa.
An approved Hajj or Umrah visa from Austria only permits travel to Saudi Arabia for purposes of religious pilgrimage: it is not to work on this type of visa. The visa is valid for a total of 30 days from the date of approval and allows a maximum stay of 2 weeks.