Why Saudi Arabia's Electronic Visa and Visa Get Rejected?
There can be many other reasons for your Saudi Arabia eVisa or visa to be rejected. Below, we have listed some of the reasons your visa may be refused. Please keep in mind that the information you provide in the Saudi Arabia visa application form is cross-checked with your passport. If any mismatch is found, the visa approving authority may deem it reasonable to reject the visa.
-
The Country is Ineligible for an E-Visa
You come from a country ineligible for an e-visa. Please refer to the list of countries citizens of which can apply for a Saudi Arabia e-visa. Here are the counties that are eligible for an e-visa: Eligible Countries for Saudi Arabia Visa
-
The Applicant is Ineligible for an E-Visa
You do not meet the Saudi Arabian government's e-visa eligibility requirements. In this regard, please refer to the eligibility criteria before applying for the Saudi Arabia electronic visa. The primary requirements every applicant must meet include:
- A valid passport with 6 months left in its expiry;
- The purpose of travel is tourism
- The applicant can afford their stay in Saudi Arabia
- They can pay the visa fees online.
-
Incorrect Visa Photograph
- If your Saudi Arabia Visa photograph does not match the Saudi immigration department's pre-defined criteria. Remember that a passport-style photo is necessary to upload when submitting an e-visa application. Please find out the details on the correct dimensions, file size, and color/facial angle requirements before uploading the image.
- For instance, the traveler's full front face should be visible on the photograph, it must be taken against a white background, and it must not be more than 6 months old are some of the main requirements.
-
Spelling And Information Mismatching
Information mismatch and inaccuracy almost always result in visa rejection. Many travelers make the mistake of hurriedly filling out the Saudi Arabia e-visa application form and ignore typo errors, spelling mistakes, and information accuracy.
When completing the application, it is necessary to fill out all the fields and refer to your passport's biography page.
For instance, your name spelling must be the same on your passport and your e-visa application. Other common errors on the application form include inconsistencies in numbers and letters, such as writing the letter O where you are required to write zero 0. Address mistake or mismatch, and wrong passport number.
-
Expired Passport or Passport expiring soon
If the passport is due for expiration or has already expired, please do not use it to apply for an e-visa to Saudi Arabia. Always apply after renewing the passport. If you applied using the already expired or near-expiring passport, your Saudi Arabia eVisa request will be rejected immediately.
-
Supporting Documents Errors
The visa application can also be rejected upon submitting wrong or invalid supporting documents, especially if applying for a business visa. If a letter of invitation is required, you must provide it. Otherwise, the application will not be processed. If this letter is needed, the authorities will generate a new visa invitation number placed on the employer support letter and attested by the Arab British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC).
|
Note: Tourists need not provide this letter unless specifically asked by the Saudi authorities. |
Saudi E-Visa Does Not Guarantee Entry into Saudi Arabia
Unfortunately, the approval of an e-visa does not guarantee that you will get to enter Saudi Arabia upon arriving in the country. The approval or rejection of your e-visa lies with Saudi Arabia's immigration authorities.
- The senior visa officials are tasked with making the final decision regarding the visa. They decide after reviewing every application manually. Usually, they consider Saudi Arabia's internal visa policies but may also refer to MOFA guidelines.
- Another reason is that the authorities may require additional information after you have submitted the e-visa application. The applicant will be asked to submit additional documents/information based on the official's analysis. This may make the visa processing phase longer than expected.
- Always use one passport when applying for a visa and take the same passport when traveling to Saudi Arabia.
|
Note: Rarely are the applications denied, but it can happen when the applicant doesn't meet the eligibility criteria or has provided misleading, false, or incomplete data. |
How to Reduce Your Saudi Arabia e-Visa Rejection Chances?
You may take certain steps to limit your chances of e-visa rejection. This is done by avoiding some of the most common mistakes applicants generally make when completing the online application form.
Always check that you are eligible for the e-visa and meet all the requirements.
Check your passport's validity. It must have at least 6 months' validity after arriving in KSA.
Always complete the e-visa form very carefully. When filling it out, copy the information just as it appears on the passport. Cross-check for spelling errors and spacing issues.
Before submitting the e-visa application, you will be asked to review it before hitting the Submit button. At this stage, you must thoroughly check your entries and carefully match information with your passport.
What if your Saudi Arabia e-visa application is rejected?
In case your visa has been rejected, you will receive a notification. Understand the rejection reason and reapply, correcting the prior mistake. However, this option is open for those who meet the e-visa eligibility criteria and whose application was rejected due to other reasons, such as passport expiry, information inaccuracy, missing supporting documents, etc.
|
Note
|
What conditions should you meet to obtain a Saudi Arabia tourist e-visa?
- Properly completed application
- The applicant’s passport must be valid for least 6 months from their entry into the kingdom
- Evidence of lodging (hotel, house, etc.) for the period of the applicant's stay in Saudi Arabia
- Applicants must be 18 years old unless a legal guardian is present.
- Round-trip fare and travel schedule
- A latest passport size photo with a white background
Frequently asked questions
As per the latest directives from the Saudi Arabian government, the e-visa will be valid for 90 days, and no one can stay in the country any longer. This time is sufficient for experiencing the country's historical sites, rich culture, and delectable cuisine. Nationals of over 49 countries are eligible to apply for an e-visa.
The Saudi Arabia tourist eVisa is an electronic e-visa that allows foreigners to travel to and stay in Saudi Arabia only for tourism-related activities. They can travel anywhere in the country and stay until the approved validity period. The process is completed online, so there is no need to visit a Saudi consulate or embassy to get visa approval.
This is not required if they are traveling with one legal guardian. Only unaccompanied minors/children would require consent from their parents before traveling to Saudi Arabia. But, this condition does not apply to minors accompanied by one guardian or parent. They do not need to provide permission proof from the absent parent.
All the information you provided in the online visa application must match the information in your primary travel document, which is your passport. If you think there's a mistake and you have already submitted the application, and it is in process, wait for the Saudi Customer Support Team to contact you.
After submitting the e-visa application, you will have to keep checking your email inbox for notifications from the authorities. Ensure a valid and active email address to receive all updates and notifications. You can also check the status using the Saudi Arabia eVisa Status Tracker tool.
