Investors with diplomatic or special passports in Saudi Arabia will no longer have to pay business visit visa fees, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Investment (MISA). The move is aimed at facilitating foreign investors’ exploration of investment opportunities in the kingdom.
The Ministry’s platform, ‘Invest in Saudi Arabia’, has clarified that the ‘Visiting Investor’ business visit visa service is an electronic platform that allows foreign investors to apply for a digital visit visa instantly. This eliminates the need for personal visits to Saudi embassies or consulates for biometric data procedures.
Saudi Arabia investors without official diplomatic status exempt from visit visa fees
However, this exemption only applies to investors without official diplomatic status, and the visa service should not be misused for non-commercial purposes, as stated by the platform. The terms and conditions for obtaining this type of visa require investors to have approved medical insurance within the Kingdom.
The ‘Visiting Investor’ visa allows businesspersons to visit the Kingdom, explore its investment sectors, and familiarize themselves with its resources, location, and heritage. They can engage with counterparts in Saudi Arabia, including owners of foreign companies and institutions, board members, managers, and representatives, as long as their professional or commercial status is verified.
Investors’ passports must remain valid for at least six months, adhering to bilateral agreements between the Kingdom and other countries regarding passport validity, visa fees, and duration. Additionally, investors must abide by the visa’s intended purpose and the prevailing regulations and instructions within the Kingdom, including restrictions on paid or unpaid work, Hajj pilgrimage without a Hajj visa, and Umrah during the Hajj season after obtaining a visa.
In collaboration with MISA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) recently launched the second phase of issuing electronic business visit visas, expanding coverage to countries not included in the initial list. MISA has also taken steps to promote the Kingdom’s investment opportunities across 15 economic sectors.
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