How to apply for a Schengen visa from Saudi Arabia

• Apply for schengen visa from saudi arabia if you are Citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia will need a visa in order to enter the Schengen area.
• Comprising 26 countries in Europe, the Schengen area includes most major European states, including Germany, France, and Italy. To enter these 26 European countries as a Saudi citizen or resident, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa.
• A Schengen visa allows you a maximum of 90 days inside the Schengen area within a 180-day period.

Steps for Applying for a Schengen visa from Saudi Arabia

1. Think about when you want to travel

• Apply no earlier 6 months before travelling
• Apply no later than 2 weeks before travelling

2. Think about where you want to go

• Decide where you want to go in the Schengen area. If you want to travel to more than one country, determine which country you will be spending the most time in.
• The country you will be spending the most time in is the country you will apply for a Schengen visa.
• For example, if you plan on traveling to Belgium, Spain, and France, and you are entering the Schengen area in Belgium, but spending the majority of your trip in Spain, you should apply for a Schengen visa for Spain.

3. Think about your purpose for travel

• Think about the nature of your journey to the Schengen area; your purpose for travelling will determine the type of visa you will apply for.
• For example, if you are travelling to the Schengen area to have a medical procedure, you will apply for a medical Schengen visa.

4. Think about how many entries you need

• Think about how many times you will want to enter the Schengen area while on your visa. This will determine the number of entries you need.
• Keep in mind that single-entry Schengen visas are only good for one entry to the Schengen area if you leave the area at any time, you will not be able to return even if you still have time left on your visa!
• If you want to enter and exit the Schengen area more than once-for example, say you want to enter the Schengen area, stay for a month, and then make a quick trip home to Riyadh, you should at the very least apply for a double-entry Schengen visa. (Click here for more info on the different types of entry visas).

5. Assemble your required documents for a Schengen visa from Saudi Arabia

• All Schengen visa applicants must submit multiple basic required documents, including a passport, application form, and travel medical insurance. ( list of required documents).
• Make sure you have all the materials you need prior to submitting your application. For example, make sure that your Saudi passport is still valid (i.e. not expired) and that it has at least two empty pages inside (space for your Schengen visa).

6. Make a Schengen visa appointment

• You must apply for your Schengen visa via the embassy, consulate, or visa application center of the country you want to visit.
• Apply through that country’s respective embassy or consulate located closest to you.
• For example, if you want to apply for a Schengen visa for Germany, and you have never applied for any Schengen visa before, you must apply through one of the two German missions in Saudi Arabia; the German Embassy, located in Riyadh, and the Consulate General, in Jeddah.
  • If you live in one of the Central and Eastern provinces (Qasim, al-Mintaqah al-Sharqiya (Eastern Province), Hail, al-Hudud al-Shamaliya (Northern Province), Jouf and Riyadh)- apply through the Riyadh embassy.
  • If you live in Tabuk, Medina, Mekka, Baha, Asir, Najran and Jazan-apply through the Consulate General, in Jeddah. 
• If you have never applied for a Schengen visa before, you will have to schedule an in-person appointment in order to have your fingerprints and other biometric information taken (if your fingerprints were taken for Schengen visa purposes within the last 10 years, you will likely not have to go in person).
• If this is your first time, contact the mission of the country you want to go and make an appointment. Most embassies/consulates allow you to schedule an appointment online.
• If you have previously applied for a Schengen visa to any country, you likely won’t need to make an in-person appointment at a German mission. Instead, you should file your application through one of the visa application centers affiliated with Germany’s Saudi consulate, located in Riyadh, Al-Khobar or Jeddah.

7. Complete your Visa application

• Check with the embassy/consulate of the country you are applying to about how to access your Schengen visa application.
• Some countries, like Germany, the Netherlands, and France, require you to fill out an online application, which you will then have to print out and present at your Schengen visa appointment.
• Other embassies will ask you to simply fill out a harmonized Schengen visa application form. ( download a harmonized Schengen visa application form in Arabic).

8. Pay the Fee for a Schengen visa from Saudi Arabia

• If you are submitting your application online and/or not attending an in-person visa appointment, you may be able to pay online. Alternatively, you may be asked to make the payment during your in-person visa appointment.
• All Schengen visas cost the same: 80 EUR for adults.
• There is no charge for certain applicants, including children under 6 years old. ( Schengen visa fees).

9. Attend your appointment; submit your application

• If this is your first time applying for a Schengen visa, your visa appointment is where you will likely:
  • Be interviewed
  • Submit your Schengen visa application
  • Pay your Schengen visa fee
  • Have your fingerprints/biometric information collected
• If you have previously submitted fingerprints, you will likely not have to submit to a Schengen visa interview, or even go in person to submit your application.
• Contact your respective consulate/embassy to see if you need to go in person. You may just be able to drop off your application without even scheduling an appointment.
• However, even if you have already applied for a Schengen visa before, you may still be asked to come in for either an interview or to provide additional documents.

10. Wait for a decision

• Once you submit your application, you will likely receive a decision in around 2 weeks.
• Sometimes a decision can take up to 60 days.
• If you’re granted a visa: that’s great! You can finalize your travel plans. Just make sure you notify your respective embassy/consulate of any changes to your trip if they come up prior to your departure. If you don’t, and you are found out, your visa might be canceled.
• If you are denied a visa: you have the right to appeal. The steps for appealing a Schengen visa vary by country. (a Schengen visa rejection).

Also, You can Read about: Where to apply for a Schengen visa from Saudi Arabia