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Post by Pauanero on Dec 4, 2013 15:16:46 GMT
Hi Mates,
I was wondering if it's possible to receive a visit from friends in the KSA. At this moment I'm in the relocation process, waiting for the background and medical clearance to then apply for the work visa.
I have a very very close friend, he's more than my brother and I'd like to receive a visit from him in my eventual new home, but I've read that tourist visa are issued only to the closest family (parents and sibling) ... is that true?... there are any possibility to get tourist visa for friends?... what about cousins?
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Post by azraeil on Dec 4, 2013 17:27:06 GMT
Immediate family members (father, mother, sister, brother, the in-laws etc) will get approval. If there is no relations such as a close friend ... No. Not sure about cousins though. The process and document requirements to prove relationship is hard enough for in-laws etc, I would imagine it would be near impossible for cousins.
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Post by Hadia on Dec 4, 2013 18:41:57 GMT
You could always meet in Bahrain for a visit.
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Post by Pauanero on Dec 5, 2013 12:45:02 GMT
Hi azraeil, Hi Hadia.
Thanks so much for your reply.
Receive the visit from my friends in Bahrain is the best option I think I have. Do you have any reference about accomodation in Bahrain for long stays... maybe 15 days... vacational, apartaments, villas, etc?
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Post by vpainter on Dec 6, 2013 7:01:06 GMT
Yes, you can have friends visit you in KSA. Aramco will not help get visas for anyone who are not immediate family members. You must go to all the government offices yourself and get all the paperwork completed and approved. The government affairs office in Aramco can help you with what all you need to do, even though they will not assist you doing it.
It is almost imperative that you have a Saudi friend/coworker to go with you so he can communicate with the government offices, they only speak Arabic. It takes several trips to the offices but it can and has been done successfully.
Single women are the exception, you cannot get a visa for women friends to visit.
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Post by Hadia on Dec 6, 2013 13:30:48 GMT
We rented the penthouse apartment at Fraser Suites Bahrain, and found it spacious and comfortable, and not terribly expensive. They have smaller apartment suites, too. The bonus is that it's directly connected to Seef Mall, so easy access to restaurants, shops, all of that. Also, there's an Urban Rental Car office right near the hotel's entrance to the mall. Couldn't be more convenient. Here's the web site for this hotel in Manama: m.bahrain.frasershospitality.com/ |
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Post by Pauanero on Dec 10, 2013 12:20:13 GMT
Hi vpainter,
I was reading in other forums and website exactly what you say. In fact, the visitors can apply for the tourist visa by themselves in the KSA Embassy of their own homecountry. To apply for the visa, according what I understood, they need to provide a invitation letter, copy of the resident visa of the person who invite, job reference, salary, etc.
Hadia, those apartaments looks great!
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Ram723
Advanced Member
Posts: 69
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Post by Ram723 on Dec 10, 2013 16:59:47 GMT
If parents or siblings of spouse or dependent visit and if a female dependent or employee is alone if even briefly with her father or husband's male relative in public, might a Ha'ia person make a comment, and if so, if you show a tourist visa or proof of family relationship, would it be ok?
Do even family member visitors have to show salary (even if retired) etc., or can most of the legwork be done by the employee/dependent and Aramco to get them visas?
I guess one could learn more about the process after arrival. It might be more comfortable to meet people in another country.
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Post by vpainter on Dec 11, 2013 7:12:31 GMT
Proof of family relationship would be acceptable if needed.
Visitor visas do not require salary information from the visitor. If you are an Aramco employee, you do the paperwork for the family member n KSA to get them a visa. Aramco takes your paperwork and the fee you pay and gets the visa approved. The family member then gets a visa application from the KSA embassy or online and fills it out then sends their passport (and copies of any required documents)to the KSA embassy in the home country, unless the visitor is coming from a country that comes through the ASC office in Houston. If they go thought ASC, the family member will receive paperwork from ASC (visa application and will send copies of any documents needed like birth certificates, marriage licenses, etc to ASC). The person who is coming for the visit usually has to call ASC or the employee can email them to send out the paperwork. Passports are sent to ASC for visa acquisition.
You should allow 4 to 6 months to obtain a visitor visa.
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