A question about Saudi visas

[mchell810]

I know as a US citizen I am required to get an eVisa for Saudi Arabia.  I have found the appropriate site to do so (direct from the Saudi government, NOT a visa agency).  I have read posts about people getting the visa for $22 with approval "only granted 48-hours before arrival" but all those refer to MSC cruises (perhaps they have a special arrangement?)   I'd rather not spend the $140 for the visa if I don't have to and I'd rather not have the application pending for a month if it won't be granted until just before arrival anyway.  Therefore, my question is: do I need to do this now for my March cruise or can I wait and apply a few days before we actually arrive in Jeddah?  Can anyone share their experience in getting the Saudi visa for a SS cruise?  (No matter what I will apply while still on land -- I won't rely on wifi to work for this).

Thanks.

[Silver Spectre]

1 hour ago, mchell810 said:

I know as a US citizen I am required to get an eVisa for Saudi Arabia.  I have found the appropriate site to do so (direct from the Saudi government, NOT a visa agency).  I have read posts about people getting the visa for $22 with approval "only granted 48-hours before arrival" but all those refer to MSC cruises (perhaps they have a special arrangement?)   I'd rather not spend the $140 for the visa if I don't have to and I'd rather not have the application pending for a month if it won't be granted until just before arrival anyway.  Therefore, my question is: do I need to do this now for my March cruise or can I wait and apply a few days before we actually arrive in Jeddah?  Can anyone share their experience in getting the Saudi visa for a SS cruise?  (No matter what I will apply while still on land -- I won't rely on wifi to work for this).

Thanks.

We were on the 22WC and didn’t know we needed a visa until joining the ship in Cape Town. After a lot of to and fro between the ships finance officer, SS Head Office and the port agent in Jeddah, it was determined that we would be ok with a transit visa. It was a bit of a slow process, requiring 4 individual Credit Card payments and took about an hour to process two of us. Hope that helps.

[mchell810]

14 hours ago, Silver Spectre said:

We were on the 22WC and didn’t know we needed a visa until joining the ship in Cape Town. After a lot of to and fro between the ships finance officer, SS Head Office and the port agent in Jeddah, it was determined that we would be ok with a transit visa. It was a bit of a slow process, requiring 4 individual Credit Card payments and took about an hour to process two of us. Hope that helps.

 

Yes, this is helpful; I am hoping to avoid a situation like that.  I am thinking I will just go ahead and apply for the the longer approval the week before I leave home.  Even if it ends up "pending" until I am actually onboard at least I am not worried about it.

Thanks