Visiting Saudi Arabia from Hungary and Iceland? What to do

Saudi Arabia has been a rapidly emerging tourist destination. The main reason for the country being an attractive destination for international tourists- including from Hungary and Iceland- is the mix of cultural attractions and natural wonders.

A country with a low crime rate and significant police presence all over, Saudi Arabia is considered the safest country in the Middle East for tourists. 

Reasons for Europeans showing interest in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming a favorite tourist destination for Europeans because of a few contributing factors. 

These contributing factors include rich history, natural beauty, and growing tourist-friendly initiatives undertaken by the Saudi government.

Visa and travel requirements  

It is important to note that visiting Saudi Arabia from Hungary or Iceland would require a Saudi visa. This blog will act as a guide regarding the documentation process for visiting Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Visa for Hungarian citizens and Icelandic citizens is a key document for citizens from any country visiting Saudi Arabia. Here, the discussion will focus on the visa policy maintained in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Visa policy  

Saudi Arabia has the same visa policy for tourists from almost every country travelling there. The Saudi visa allows travel for leisure tourism or Umrah and is valid for a maximum tour length of 90 days. As in every other country, the Saudi Visa policy is the same for citizens of Hungary and Iceland.

Visa-on-arrival and Visa-waiver

Hungary and Iceland citizens will not receive a visa waiver for travelling to Saudi Arabia, as citizens from only five countries can visit the country without a visa- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Holders of permanent residence in the EU are eligible for a Visa-on-arrival in the KSA. This includes permanent residents from Iceland, Hungary among the rest of the European nations.

Types of Visas Available 

Different types of visas are available to European citizens visiting Saudi Arabia. These include tourist visa, business visit visa, employment visa, residence visa and so on. 

However, as this blog is tourist-focused, the focus will be only on tourist and leisure-specific visas. 

Saudi eVisa 

Saudi Arabia has introduced the new tourist visa program to boost tourism. This is referred to as the Saudi eVisa and can be applied for through an easy-to-use internet portal. Sixty-six countries across the world are eligible to apply for the Saudi eVisa including Hungary and Iceland.

The Saudi eVisa will be valid for one year and will allow tourists multiple entries into the country for up to 90 days at a stretch. 

Umrah Visa  

The Saudi government has released the Nusuk initiative, which is an official planning and booking platform to organise an Umrah visit to Saudi Arabia. The Nusuk platform allows holders of Saudi visas to be permitted to enter the two Holy Mosques to perform Umrah. 

The Nusuk app allows Muslim pilgrims to apply for a Saudi Umrah visa. As of 2022, this app allows citizens from 68 countries to visit Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage. Unlike the regular eVisa, the Umrah Visa only permits travelling to and from the various Umrah locations all across the country. However, the Umrah Visa also allows pilgrims a stay of 90 days. 

How to Apply for a Saudi eVisa  

The Saudi Visa for Hungarian citizens and the Saudi visa for Iceland citizens both have the same application process due to the simplified online application for the Saudi eVisa for citizens of European nations. It is also valid for Iceland even though it is not an EU member state. Therefore, if you are a citizen of either of these two countries, the process to apply for the Saudi Visa is the easiest at its current rendition.

Online Application Process

If you are looking to apply for the Saudi Visa for Icelandic citizens and Hungarian citizens online, you should visit a reputable website.

On reaching the website, you will need to fill up the online application form with accurate details about your personal information and other additional details as required. 

You will also need to ensure that you have gathered all the required documents, as a scan of each will need to be uploaded to the website.

Finally, you will need to pay the visa fee. 

Once every document is verified, wait for approval of the Saudi eVisa.  

Required Documents

• A valid passport, which implies a 6-month validity after your stay period.
• Recent passport-sized photos.
• Departure ticket with a reservation confirmation.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Travel insurance.
• Bank statements proving that you can sustain your travel.
• Health insurance.

What to Expect at Immigration on Arrival 

On arriving in Saudi Arabia, you can expect the following checks to be performed in immigration. 

• Passport validity check.
• Verification of the correct type of visa
• Health insurance verification
• In case of minors, a notarized letter will be required to be signed by a parent or a legal guardian.
• Assurance that you will follow all the Islamic guidelines and Saudi laws, regulations and customs.

These verifications are mandatory for visa holders from every nation in Europe, be it Saudi Visa for Hungarian Citizens or Saudi Visa for Icelandic Citizens.

Moreover, while the restrictions have loosened now, there are certain clothing restrictions that you have to follow certain basic clothing customs, such as wearing modest clothing, which covers shoulders and knees. Tight or revealing attire should be avoided.

Some Travel Tips

Now, let’s look at some tips that will make your trip more comfortable. 

Best time to visit Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s climate is most suited to tourists in the months between November to March, when the temperatures are pleasant, generally ranging between 25-30 degrees Celsius or 59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Top Destinations for Tourists in Saudi Arabia

For tourists who visit Saudi Arabia to explore the cultural and historical locations, the best places to visit are Al-Ula, Diriyah, Jeddah, Riyadh and Mada’in Salih. 

For the tourists looking for a religious or spiritual experience, Makkah and Madinah are must-visit locations.

Dos and Don’ts in Saudi Arabia

Positives:

• Must dress modestly.
• Need to respect religious customs.
• Show respect
• Be tolerant of conservative practices.
• Avoid taking pictures of people without permission.

Negatives:

• Do not consume alcohol.
• Refrain from public displays of affection.
• Avoid consuming food or beverages in public during Ramadan.

What to do if the case of Visa application rejection

You might be wondering what to do in case of rejection of your visa application. Firstly, you should consider the common causes of visa rejection.

• The application is incomplete.
• The documentation has incorrect information.
• Health concerns.
• Lack of sufficient funding.

It is important to note that these problems can be avoided by performing a reexamination of all your documentation before submitting them. 

Passport validity concerns can also be something to keep in mind. In such cases, ensure that your passport is valid for 6 months from the date of your departure from Saudi Arabia. 

Ready for a Trip to Saudi Arabia? 

This blog has been a basic guide for Europeans, specifically citizens of Hungary and Iceland, visiting Saudi Arabia. If you can consider this information as a basic set of guidelines, following them can ensure a comparatively smooth travel to Saudi Arabia.