Saudi Arabia Visa

[cashmeremypuppydog]

Hello all,

This will be our 1st SilverSea cruise: Nov 16-25 from Dubai. We are going to be in India & Nepal for a month before the cruise. It is time for me to work on getting my eVisa for Saudi Arabia.

After reading a lot on cruisecritic, I found out some people applied for their eVisa through visa.mona.gov.sa for only US$10. It is a special eVisa for cruise ship (called maritime and available only since 2021). Others applied for their eVisa through visitsaudi.com but there is no option for cruise ship and the price is closer to US$100. I contacted SilverSea (before figuring how much an eVisa would be on both sites) and the young agent told me to visit visitsaudi.com 

I am wondering why SilverSea did not inform me of visa.mona.gov.sa! Do they know about this new maritime eVisa you can obtain for only $10. Anybody knows anything about this?

Thank you

[PaulMCO]

The site has only been up for a few months.  It is the MOFA that is doing this -- it is visa.mofa.gov,sa

 

How many stops are you making in KSA.   The maritime visa provides a 96 hour transit for single entry visa.  The visit saudi evisa is a multiple entry for 90 days tourist visa.

 

You need to submit proof of a cruise with your "cruise ticket" for the maritime visa.

[mchell810]

I also do not understand why SS doesn't give better information on the Saudi Visa.  I needed one for an April 2023 cruise; despite several attempts I couldn't get info on the maritime visa which I had learned about from MSC passengers.  I paid $140 for the full visa and then, onboard -- just a few days before arriving in a Saudi port -- we were given information about the transit visa.  In addition we were told if you were not going ashore you didn't need a visa.  If the ship can have that information I don't see why it couldn't be shared with passengers in the weeks before embarkation.

 

 

[david63]

The issue with visas, for any country, is that the requirements can be different for each passenger - even ones from the same country. Add to that that if visa requirements are not met for all passengers then in some cases the ship will not be allowed to even dock.

 

No cruise line can be expected to give precise visa information pre cruise as not only can it change but the permutations can be enormous. Once onboard then within the limited time of being a few days out from the country then the requirements will be a lot clearer.

 

All cruise lines clearly state that it is the passenger's responsibility to have the correct travel documents/visas for a cruise. If you are unsure as to what is required then there are agencies that will process your visa applications - for a fee.

[Fletcher]

I was on the Cloud earlier this year which spent nearly a week in Saudi.  My understanding then and now (for UK citizens)  is that for stays of more than a day you need the full e-visa obtainable online.  It is a simple procedure as long as your photo is the right size and is in their guidelines. If you visit for just the day then the ship will provide visas on arrival. There were a few people on our ship who did not get off the ship and did not need a visa. 

[cashmeremypuppydog]

Thank you all for your replies.

We will be in Damman, Saudi Arabia for less 9 hrs.

I do not agree with the reply “No cruise line can be expected to give precise visa information pre cruise as not only can it change…”. They could give the info I mentioned and then say: it is your responsibility to obtain the accurate visa for your needs!

Yesterday, I emailed the below 2 photos to SS so we will see if they care about their customers and provide the info. I will buy the $10 visa with MOFA and if it is not good enough, I will stay on the ship!!!

Chantal

Lover of Africa 🦍🦏🦛🐘🦓🦒🦁🐒

 

Edited August 10, 2023 by cashmeremypuppydog

[cashmeremypuppydog]

14 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

The site has only been up for a few months.  It is the MOFA that is doing this -- it is visa.mofa.gov,sa

 

How many stops are you making in KSA.   The maritime visa provides a 96 hour transit for single entry visa.  The visit saudi evisa is a multiple entry for 90 days tourist visa.

 

You need to submit proof of a cruise with your "cruise ticket" for the maritime visa.

Thank you for catching my spelling mistake! Yes, MOFA and not MONA!!!

MOFA is for Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Edited August 10, 2023 by cashmeremypuppydog
Bad typist!

[HSBC]

One of the cruise port is Saudi Arabia, less than 24 hours.

I hold Canadian passport, I think both American and Canadian have to same rule to enter Saudi Arabia.

 

Does it mean that I need to apply the Maritime e-visa (about $10) online prior to boarding the  Silversea cruise ship even if I'll stay at the ship?

 

If Silversea will provide visa on arrival, do I still need to apply the Maritime e-visa (about $10) prior to boarding the Silversea cruise ship?

 

Norwegian Cruise Line post Transit Visa Guidelines on their website, does Silversea have the same service?

 

Thanks!

 

[david63]

5 hours ago, HSBC said:

does Silversea have the same service?

Is it not in your confirmation documentation - mine is (not for a cruise visiting Saudi)

[jtslattery]

I am trying to get the maritime visa for SA also. When I put in the url something comes up in Arabica. How di I get it to display in English. Also when I use google translate one the site it is not clear that this site is for the maritime visa. Has anyone had success getting one? Please advise how you were able to get one.

[bitob]

I hired a private guide in Saudi Arabia for my March cruise on whisper. The guide told me to make sure I get the multiple day visa. I did ask why 

[Nowvoyager8]

Has anyone managed to get the Saudi Arabia maritime visa? I understand it costs about 26$ but cannot find where to apply for it.

We are on the Silversea cruise Nov 16-25 booked through Bolsover Cruise Club. They told me SA visas are available through visitsaudi.com but the maritime visa is not an option through them. I could get the 90 day tourist visa but, as part of the application, you also have to buy compulsory Saudi health insurance & with the cheapest insurance company on offer + the visa it is 172$ per person, which is a lot for a one day visit! 

I phoned Silversea & was given an email address of customercare@mofa.gov.sa but have received no reply to my email to them & a number in Saudi Arabia which I am reluctant to try & waste more money!  I phoned the SA embassy in London but, after waiting for over an hour for someone to answer, I hung up.

Silversea have referred me back to my agent, who have insisted that visitsaudi.com is the website to use, so I am going round in circles! Any help would be gratefully received!

[Roimont]

On 9/19/2023 at 12:31 PM, bitob said:

I hired a private guide in Saudi Arabia for my March cruise on whisper. The guide told me to make sure I get the multiple day visa. I did ask why 

I am looking for a private guide for Saudi Arabia for my December cruise.  Can you please pass along the guides information and how you found them and any other helpful information. Thanks so much!  Also why did he tell you to get the multiple day visa?

[cashmeremypuppydog]

Hello all,

Read this link as you will almost have all answers.

I paid $26.52 and DH $30 for our maritime e-Visa. You will see document posted on the above link. HOWEVER, the maritime eVisa will be authorized only after the SS cruise ship sent all documentation to SA port of call. It will be only a few days before arrival in SA. 
 

I will update after my cruise on Nov 16. Until now, we are all on our own. 
Chantal

[cashmeremypuppydog]

I just found this on MSC website. Still it does not help us much…

 

[Nowvoyager8]

Thank you for that. I have asked Bolsover Cruise Club for help again. They checked with Silversea who maintain that you can get an E-maritime or transit visa for 21$, specifying the cruise company and the name of the ship as your method of entry, from www.mofa.gov.sa.

I have tried yet again & it just isn't an option!

Bolsover CC also suggested that I could apply via a visa specialist agency (who obviously charge a fee for the service):

The Travel Visa Company or CIBT visas.

Silversea confirmed that there is always the option of staying on the ship if you can't get the visa (as there will clearly be no help from them once on board)

I'll keep trying! 

[david63]

A Google search came up with this https://www.saudifastvisa.com/e-maritime-visa

[Nowvoyager8]

Thank you David. That may be an option but just be aware that this is a visa agency which charges 89$ to process your visa, on top of the standard application fee.

Sue

[bitob]

17 hours ago, Roimont said:

I am looking for a private guide for Saudi Arabia for my December cruise.  Can you please pass along the guides information and how you found them and any other helpful information. Thanks so much!  Also why did he tell you to get the multiple day visa?

just saw this 

I’m on qm2 now

i have no information with me

 

he did not say why. I did not question it either 

[Gk9]

I can confirm that I successfully obtained the Maritime visa when I visited Jeddah in April this year on Silver Spirit.It cost about $40  (AUD) including the mandatory insurance.

It is valid for 4 days only so was perfect for the overnight stop in Saudi.

The visa is issued by the department of foreign affairs https://www.mofa.gov.sa/

rather than the tourist website https://www.visitsaudi.com/en

The web page is in Arabic but if you click on the menu there is the option to switch to English.

The application was fiddly and a bit glitchy but we got there in the end.

It was a significant saving over the full tourist visa.

It was issued only a few days before arrival when the voyage from Mumbai was already underway.

I believe they don't issue it straight away as they need to see the ship's manifest, or at least that what I was told by reception on the ship.

If it hadn't come through we would have just been content to  stay on the ship and sip non alcoholic cocktails.

I hope this info. is still current.As I say it was only in April this year.

 

 

[Nowvoyager8]

Thank you. I'll keep trying! 

[Gk9]

6 minutes ago, Nowvoyager8 said:

Thank you. I'll keep trying! 

Also, you click on visitors and then the selection is " visa application from Saudi Missions abroad".

You create an account and is saves your progress.We revisited several times believe me !Gook luck.

[Nowvoyager8]

Thank you! How long did it take for your visa to come through? I have now completed my own application and the fee was taken from my credit card 2 days ago but no visa yet. When I go back on the MOFA website under application status it says "Send to Embassy" but apparently no option to do anything else! 

[Gk9]

2 hours ago, Nowvoyager8 said:

Thank you! How long did it take for your visa to come through? I have now completed my own application and the fee was taken from my credit card 2 days ago but no visa yet. When I go back on the MOFA website under application status it says "Send to Embassy" but apparently no option to do anything else! 

From memory I think ours said the same.We applied a couple of weeks before the trip after several attempts and it was issued only a few days before arrival in Saudi.

We had certainly already sailed from Mumbai

Apparently they need to see the ship's manifest first which is why it's issued so late.

It sounds like it's all ok .

The tourist visa may well be more straightforward but we thought it was a ridiculous amount of money for the 48 hours we were in Saudi.

If the visa hadn't come through then we were prepared to just stay on the ship.

[HSBC]

9 hours ago, Gk9 said:

From memory I think ours said the same.We applied a couple of weeks before the trip after several attempts and it was issued only a few days before arrival in Saudi.

We had certainly already sailed from Mumbai

Apparently they need to see the ship's manifest first which is why it's issued so late.

It sounds like it's all ok .

The tourist visa may well be more straightforward but we thought it was a ridiculous amount of money for the 48 hours we were in Saudi.

If the visa hadn't come through then we were prepared to just stay on the ship.

My most concern:  denied boarding Silversea cruise ship due to no Visa.  I don't mind just skip a port.

Thanks!