There are two different types of Saudi Visit Visa for families. There’s a single entry visa for 6 months, and there is also a multiple entry visa for 1 year. The former is extendable up to 12 months via the Ministry website. For Multiple visit visas, their policy has changed – but at this time it depends on which country you’re visiting when you leave Saudi Arabia because they only grant extensions of 3 additional months at a time depending on what the new rule is in that country.
It might be more expensive or difficult if you want to go home so I’ll give some tips about how to extend your stay in Saudi Arabia by crossing over through Bahrain using King Fahd Bridge (which connects both countries). In Bahrain, VFS Tashael handles New Visas for those who need them.
check also: Top Reasons Why Pakistani Citizens Should Consider Applying for an Ireland Visa in 2023
How to Get a new Visit visa and get it Stamped from
Here is how this procedure works.
My Scenario
My family’s visitation visa had already expired, but there was still the problem of obtaining an exit from Saudi Arabia. If I left, then they wouldn’t be able to come back again.
What did I do?
How did I do that? I issued a visit visa for my entire family. For five days we toured through the Kingdom of Bahrain, staying at the Marriott Hotel in Manama so they could get their visas stamped from VFS Tashieel office. Here’s how it all went down-and let me tell you some things to take note of if you ever want to go yourself!
Step 1 – Travel to Bahrain
My hometown is approximately one thousand kilometers away from Saudi Arabia, located southwest of its capital city Riyadh. To travel to Saudi Arabia we rented a taxi at Saptco Rental Agency and departed for Riyadh via a 14-hour car journey. Upon arriving in Riyadh we had two choices: take a flight directly back home or continue on to Bahrain with the hope of getting cheaper flights than taking an additional car ride.
Step 2 – Checking at King Fahad Causway
On the Saudi Side of King Fahad Causeway, immigration officials scanned my Iqama, Re-entry Visa, and Visit Visa for each family member. Then they checked Bahrain’s Exit & Entry Visa, before telling me my Family visa had expired. I agreed and showed them the new visas which could be stamped in Manama. They checked through the visas and stamps on the paperwork before letting us head over to our bus without question or delay.
When we finally got back to Bahrain it was at night time – luckily there were no buses running so late in an area where many business districts are located so we had no problems getting a taxi back home (which only took about 15 minutes).
Validity:
It is a thirty day visa, which means the maximum length of time one can stay in Bahrain is thirty days.
Charges:
I paid $4.00 USD for my first passport and then $5.00 USD for my second one which totals up to $9.00 USD, or $90.00 Saudi Riyals per Passport
Step 3 – Stamping Visa from VFS Tasheel
VFS Tasheel is a globally renowned visa center for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It has offices in almost every country but there are some exceptions, including Bahrain where you need to visit VFS Tasheel if you would like your visit visa stamped- though in Pakistan it is an entirely different story with Eitmad Limited responsible for all things related to visas and stamps.
Step 4 – Get a New Visit Visa from Saudi Arabia
If your Visitor Visa has expired, you need to apply for a new visit visa from Saudi Arabia. You first need to make sure when applying for the new visa, you input stamping place as Manama, Bahrain. This is where the stamp will be given and when all of your paperwork is processed. I applied for my new Visitor Visa and received it in 3 days time; however my family was still residing in Saudi Arabia on their own Visitor Visa at that time. If you are wondering whether or not there would be an issue getting a new Visitor Visa while they are currently residing there too – the answer would be no problem at all!
Step 5 – Get E-Visa for Bahrain
Bahrain initially offered On Arrival Visas but it is no longer possible. You will need to apply for an E Visa per family member when arriving at the airport or border crossing. For holders of a valid Iqama, Bahrain still offers Visa on Arrival and charges you based on your profession listed on the document. I didn’t want any unwanted issues so I applied for my whole family as well – receiving their E Visas after 4-5 days of processing time. If there is a delay in processing, you can complain about this with Tawasul (the national telecom company).
Procedure at VFS Tasheel:
Step 1 – Passport Collection
We submitted our passport to the embassy yesterday afternoon, and we came back today to pick it up. The process usually takes about 24-36 hours, so by this time tomorrow we will be able to go straight home after picking up the new one from the counter.
Step 2 – Appointment:
You need to schedule an appointment from their official website, if appointments are already full, try getting a walk-in token. You will have to come before 7:30 am. Walk in tokens can only accommodate ten people per day; so first come first served. Since we didn’t have an appointment when we went, it took us three days to submit our passports and finally leave the country! But luckily for us, we arrived at 7:30 am on the third day and still managed to secure one of the coveted spots – go figure!
Step 3 – Documents Required
I submitted the following Documents
- Applicant’s Passport
- Applicant’s Passport Copy
- Marriage Certificate For Wife/Birth Certificate for Children
- 2 Passport Size Photos with White Background
- Visa Document
- Iqama Copy
- My Passport Copy
- Pay the fees and submit these documents, after which you’ll be asked to wait in the lounge for about an hour.
- everything else, and you will be sent back home.
Step 6 – Welcome to Khobar, Saudi Arabia
After a 20-30 minute drive on King Fahad Causeway, you’ll be welcomed to Saudi Arabia. Enjoy your stay and if you have any questions please let me know!
Step 7 – Getting Back to Saudi Arabia
Once we had our passports, we booked our Saptco tickets for Dammam. Here in Manama, they will check your Saudi Iqama and the Saudi Visa of each Family member. The Procedure is the same as you travel from Dammam to Manama. On the Bahrain side of King Fahad Causeway, they checked our Passports and on Saudi Side, they took the passports and send us to Jawazat officers to get new Border numbers and fingerprints for Adults. After that Saudi Customs checked the Car and Luggage and sets you free to go back home or continue driving towards other parts of Saudi Arabia or Dubai if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 – What are the Documents required to stamp Saudi Visit visa from Bahrain?
Ans: You need Following Documents with you
Applicant’s Passport (Orignal)
Applicant’s Passport (Copy)
Sponser Passport Copy
Sponser Iqama
MOFA Visa Document
Marriage Certificate for Wife
Birth Certificate for Childern
2 Passport Size Photos with White Background.
2 – What are the Charges at VFS Tasheel for per passport?
Ans: I paid around 7500 to 8000 riyals per passport for my family
3 – Do we need Bahrain e Visa to get into Bahrain?
Ans: YES. You will need an E-Visa for each family member you are accompanying; however, if you are holding an Iqama permit then you may be eligible for the On Arrival visa at airport of entry.