How to get a Saudi Arabia visa from Ghana

• Saudi Arabia does not currently issue tourist visas.
• But visas can be obtained from Saudi embassies and consulates for a range of purposes including employment, business, family visits, journalism, and studying.
• The Hajj Visa is a visitor visa available for Muslim travelers who wish to make a religious pilgrimage to Mecca.
• Each applicant for a Hajj visa must apply through a licensed Saudi travel agency.
• The agency must present the Consulate with copies of “Accommodation Contacts” and a letter from the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia confirming that the travel agency has duly completed all requirements to qualify to assist pilgrims.
• The applicant must have a passport with a validity of at least six (6) months and acceptable both for entry to Saudi Arabia and entry to the next destination.
• The passport should have at least two empty visa pages adjacent to each other.
• All women are required to travel for Hajj with a Mahram. Proof of kinship must be submitted with the application form.
• Women over the age of forty-five (45) may travel without a Mahram with an organized group.
• They must, however, submit a no-objection letter from the husband, son or brother authorizing her to travel for Hajj with the named group. This letter should be notarized.

• This is the type of visa issued to Ghanaians traveling to Saudi Arabia for business purposes.
• Nationals of all countries need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia except for citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.
• During the visa application, you will need an invitation letter from a Saudi-based company, approved by the Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia.
• You can sign contracts, partake in auctions and exhibitions and also speak at business-related events while on this visa.
• You will need to provide an invitation letter from the Saudi company you will be visiting.
• This letter will also contain their detailed address, accompanied with the date and actual purpose of your trip.
• If the intention is to attend a meeting or seminar, confirmation/invitation from the conference organizer/institution is required.
• If you are employed, you will have to present a certificate from your employer stating or allowing your business travel.
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the costs of stay (e.g. bank statement for 2 recent months) is required.
• You cannot be gainfully employed while you are in the country with this visa.

• You will need a work visa if you intend to take up paid employment in Saudi Arabia.
• The work visa is sponsored by an employer.
• This can be a Saudi company, a Saudi citizen or a foreign entity appropriately licensed to do business in Saudi Arabia.
• The employer must first register with the Ministry of Interior who will open an “immigration file”.
• This file will contain details of all expatriate employees with that employer.
• The sponsoring employer must be registered in Saudi Arabia and hold a valid commercial license.
• The employer may be asked to submit a variety of documents listed below. The employer will likely be asked to show a commitment to “Saudization” which is to prove that there are no Saudi citizens available to fill the position, and that the employer is taking steps to employ Saudi citizens where possible.
• The actual Work Visa is issued by the relevant Saudi embassy under the instruction of the Minisry of Foreign Affairs.
• At this point the employee will have to apply at the relevant Saudi Arabian embassy. The employee must submit an application form and the documents outlined below to the embassy.
• Processing times vary by embassy but generally 1-3 weeks.

The currency used in Saudi Arabia is the Saudi riyal.

Travelling to Saudi Arabia should be done with more caution than usual. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country in which Sharia (Islamic) law is strictly enforced.

The capital city of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh, located in the southern Najd region.

Transgender people travelling to Saudi Arabia are likely to face significant difficulties and risks if this is discovered by the authorities.