Saudi Arabia Student Visa
The Saudi Arabia Student Visa allows foreign nationals to live and study in the Kingdom for the duration of their enrolment at a Saudi educational institution, under the “Study in Saudi Arabia” scheme available to citizens of around 160 countries. Unlike many other countries’ student visa systems, Saudi Arabia’s student visa is issued exclusively to applicants who have received a scholarship and formal acceptance from a Saudi university — it is not possible to obtain a student visa independently without this sponsorship. Once accepted, the Saudi institution obtains an authorisation letter (visa referral note) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), which the applicant then uses to apply for the student visa. Scholarship holders typically receive full sponsorship covering tuition, housing, a monthly stipend, medical care, and travel allowances, along with a free Iqama (residence permit) for the duration of their studies. Final approval rests solely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia.
Eligibility
To apply for a Saudi Arabia Student Visa, applicants generally must:
- Be accepted and enrolled in a Saudi Arabian educational institution, typically through a scholarship
- Meet the applicable age limits: 17–25 for undergraduate and Arabic diploma programmes, under 30 for Master’s degrees, and under 35 for PhD programmes
- Hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel, with 2 blank facing pages for official use
- Obtain a visa referral note issued by the Saudi MOFA, arranged by the sponsoring institution
- Provide original academic qualifications (such as a high school diploma), certified by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission
- Submit a recent medical report (within the last 3 months) confirming the applicant is disease-free
- Submit a police clearance report, issued within 6 months of application, detailing any criminal record
Government Visa Fees
| Fee Component | Approximate Cost |
| Student Visa (via sponsoring institution and MOFA) | No standard published fee — scholarship-linked |
*Since the Student Visa is tied to a university scholarship, most tuition, housing, and related costs are covered by the sponsoring institution for scholarship recipients. Visa processing fees, where applicable, vary by nationality and Saudi mission and are not centrally published. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances — always confirm exact Saudi Arabia Visa Fees with your sponsoring institution and the relevant Saudi Embassy or Consulate.
Saudi Arabia Visa Processing Time
Saudi Arabia Visa Processing Time for the Student Visa depends significantly on how quickly the sponsoring Saudi institution obtains the MOFA authorisation letter (visa referral note) after the applicant’s acceptance and scholarship confirmation. Once this referral note is issued, the actual visa application — submitted by mail or in person at the nearest Saudi embassy or representation office — typically follows standard consular processing timelines. Applicants are strongly advised to begin the process well in advance of their intended enrolment date, since document certification (such as diploma authentication by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission) and medical/police report preparation can add significant time before the visa application itself is even submitted.
Required Documents Checklist
Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
Applying for a Saudi Arabia Student Visa requires careful planning, accurate documentation, and compliance with the requirements set by the Saudi Arabian immigration authorities and your chosen educational institution. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting you with admission-related documentation, acceptance letters, financial evidence, visa application forms, and all required supporting documents. Our experienced consultants carefully review your application to help minimize errors and delays while ensuring your documentation is complete and meets the applicable visa requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and student-focused assistance throughout your study abroad journey. While the final decision on visa approval rests solely with the Saudi Arabian immigration authorities, our goal is to help you submit a complete, accurate, and well-prepared Saudi Arabia Student Visa application with confidence.