Saudi Araba eVisa for UAE Residents: No NOC Required
Planning a trip to Saudi Arabia from Dubai? Here is something most visa guides do not say upfront: depending on which route you take, you may not need a No Objection Certificate from your employer at all. If you are living and working in the UAE as an expat, the obtaining Saudi Araba visit visa from Dubai is one of the more manageable Schengen-adjacent applications out there, once you understand exactly which route applies to your passport and situation.
This guide covers everything UAE residents need to know about the Saudi Araba eVisa and sticker visa, including who qualifies for the no-NOC online route, what bank balance is required, whether travel insurance is mandatory, and specific details for Indian and Pakistani passport holders in the UAE.
Do UAE Residents Need a Visa for Saudi Araba?
UAE nationals holding an Emirati passport can enter Saudi Araba visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. No application, no fee, no paperwork. This guide is for everyone else.
Expats living in the UAE on a residence visa, regardless of how long they have been here or what type of residency they hold, need a valid visa before travelling to Saudi Araba. Your UAE residence permit does not grant entry. What it does do, however, is open the door to a faster, fully online application route if you also hold a qualifying visa from a Schengen country, the United States, the United Kingdom, or Ireland.
eVisa or Sticker Visa: Which Route Is Right for You?
This is the most important decision in the whole process. The two routes work differently, cost differently, and require different documents. Picking the wrong one means an outright rejection, not just a delay.
Feature
Saudi Araba eVisa (Online)
Saudi Araba Sticker Visa (VFS)
Who qualifies
Eligible nationalities who hold a valid Schengen, US, UK, or Ireland visa or residence permit
All nationalities, including those without a qualifying supporting visa
Stay duration
Up to 30 days per entry
Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry
How to apply
100 percent online at evisa.gov.tr
In person at VFS Global Dubai or Abu Dhabi
Processing time
30 minutes to 24 hours
5 to 15 working days
Approximate fee
USD 20 to 90, equivalent to AED 75 to 330
AED 435 to 490 plus VFS service fee
NOC required
No
Yes, for most nationalities
Biometrics needed
No
Yes, at VFS appointment
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended
Mandatory, must be submitted
Important note: Your UAE residence visa alone is not a qualifying document for the eVisa. The Schengen, US, UK, or Ireland visa must be a physical sticker in your passport or a physical residence card. Electronic visas printed on paper, including the UAE residence visa itself, are not accepted as qualifying supporting documents.
Who Is Eligible for the Saudi Araba eVisa from UAE?
The Saudi Araba eVisa for UAE residents is available to nationals of specific countries, but only when they also hold one of the following valid supporting documents:
A valid Schengen Area visa or Schengen residence permit
A valid US visa or US permanent residence card (Green Card)
A valid UK Standard Visitor visa or UK residence permit (Biometric Residence Permit)
A valid Ireland visa or Irish residence permit
Indian and Pakistani passport holders are among the nationalities eligible for the eVisa route, provided they carry one of the qualifying documents listed above. Both nationalities are covered in detail further in this guide.
Saudi Araba Sticker Visa: Full Document Checklist for UAE Residents
If you are applying through VFS Global, either because you do not qualify for the eVisa or you need more than 30 days in Saudi Araba, here is the complete document set required. Getting this right the first time is the single most important factor in avoiding rejection.
Document
What Is Required
Valid Passport
Minimum 6 months validity from your travel date, at least 2 blank pages for entry and exit stamps
UAE Residence Visa
Must be valid for at least 90 days from your planned departure date
Emirates ID
Both sides, clear photocopy
Completed Application Form
Signed and dated, available at VFS Global or through eVisaPro
Passport Photographs
Two photos, 50mm by 60mm, white background, taken within the last 6 months
Bank Statement
Last 3 months, stamped by the bank, showing your name, account number, and balance meeting the minimum requirement
Return Flight Tickets
Confirmed booking showing entry into and exit from Saudi Araba
Hotel or Accommodation Proof
Confirmed booking for the full duration of stay, dates must match flight tickets exactly
Travel Insurance
Covering full duration of stay in Saudi Araba with emergency medical coverage included
Salary Certificate
On company letterhead, stating your position, monthly salary, and approval to travel
NOC from Employer
Required for most salaried applicants, details in the NOC section below
Trade License
If self-employed or a business owner, submitted in place of an employer NOC
The most common reason applications are rejected is mismatched dates. Your hotel booking, return flight, and travel insurance must cover exactly the same period as your visa application. Check all three documents side by side before submitting.
Do You Need an NOC for a Saudi Araba Visa from Dubai?
This is the question that brings most people to this article. The answer depends on which route you are using, and it is more straightforward than most guidance suggests.
For the Saudi Araba eVisa: No NOC Needed
The Saudi Araba visa no NOC situation is simple for the online eVisa route. There is no employer letter, no salary certificate, and no company stamp required at any point. The application form asks only for your passport details, UAE residence permit information, your qualifying supporting visa, travel dates, return flight booking, and hotel confirmation. The entire process is self-service.
This is the biggest practical advantage of the eVisa route for employed professionals in Dubai who would rather not involve their company in personal travel arrangements.
For the Saudi Araba Sticker Visa: NOC Is Expected
For the full sticker visa application via VFS Global, a No Objection Certificate from your employer or UAE sponsor is standard for most nationalities. It does not need to be notarised, but it must be on official company letterhead and must include the following:
Your full name and job designation
A clear statement that the company has no objection to your travel
Your monthly salary or salary range
Your expected return to work date
The name, designation, and signature of an authorised signatory, along with the company stamp
If you are self-employed, replace the NOC with your UAE trade license and a business letter on company letterhead. If your UAE residence is sponsored by a family member rather than an employer, a letter from the sponsor along with their passport copy and Emirates ID is generally accepted.
Minimum Bank Balance Required for Saudi Araba Visa
The Turkish consulate does not publish a single fixed figure publicly, but the standard consistently applied across VFS processing centres is USD 50 per day of your planned stay in Saudi Araba. The table below shows what that means across common trip lengths.
Trip Duration
Minimum Required
Approximate AED Equivalent
Recommended Comfortable Balance
7 days
USD 350
AED 1,285
AED 1,800 and above
10 days
USD 500
AED 1,835
AED 2,500 and above
14 days
USD 700
AED 2,570
AED 3,500 and above
21 days
USD 1,050
AED 3,855
AED 5,000 and above
30 days
USD 1,500
AED 5,505
AED 7,000 and above
The balance must be in your own account. Your statement must be bank-stamped, show your full name and account number, and cover the last three months. The figure itself matters, but what consular staff look at equally is the pattern across those three months. A regular salary credit with a consistently healthy balance tells a far stronger story than a single large deposit made the week before your VFS appointment. That kind of one-time top-up is easy to spot and routinely triggers further scrutiny.
If you are self-employed or a business owner and your personal account does not fully reflect your income, supplement your personal statements with your company bank statements and trade license.
Is Travel Insurance Required for the Saudi Araba Visa?
For the sticker visa, yes, travel insurance is mandatory and must be submitted as part of your VFS application. For the eVisa, it is not a mandatory upload during the online application, but it is strongly recommended. Turkish border officers can ask for it upon arrival, and international medical treatment without cover can be very costly.
Detail
Sticker Visa
eVisa
Mandatory to submit
Yes
No, but strongly recommended
Coverage requirement
Full stay with emergency medical coverage
Full stay with emergency medical recommended
Destination must include Saudi Araba
Yes
Yes
Policy dates must match visa
Yes, exact match required
Align with your travel dates
Approximate UAE cost for 10 days
AED 50 to 150
AED 50 to 150
Unlike the Schengen area, Saudi Araba does not specify a minimum coverage amount in euros. However, your policy must at minimum cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, and repatriation for the full duration of your stay. Any standard international travel insurance policy from a UAE-licensed insurer that includes Saudi Araba as a destination will typically meet these requirements.
Can Indians in UAE Apply for a Saudi Araba eVisa?
Yes. Indian passport holders are among the eligible nationalities for the Saudi Araba eVisa, provided they hold one of the qualifying supporting documents. If you are an Indian professional in Dubai with a valid Schengen visa from a recent Europe trip, or a US visa used for a business visit, you qualify for the fully online eVisa route at evisa.gov.tr. Approval typically comes within 30 minutes to a few hours.
If you do not hold a Schengen, US, UK, or Ireland visa, you need to apply for the full sticker visa via VFS Global with the complete document set. Processing takes 5 to 15 working days.
One important detail for Indian eVisa applicants: the eVisa grants a maximum stay of 30 days. If you need longer, the sticker visa route can grant up to 90 days.
Can Pakistani UAE Residents Apply for a Saudi Araba Visa from Dubai?
Absolutely, and Pakistani nationals are consistently among the most frequent Saudi Araba visa applicants from Dubai. The same two-route structure applies.
The eVisa Route
Pakistani passport holders are eligible for the Saudi Araba eVisa if they hold a valid Schengen, US, UK, or Ireland visa. The process is 100 percent online, requires no appointment, no NOC, and no visit to any centre. Apply at evisa.gov.tr with your Pakistani passport and qualifying visa, and your eVisa can arrive within hours.
The Sticker Visa Route
If you do not hold a qualifying supporting visa, the full sticker visa application through VFS Global in Dubai or Abu Dhabi is your route. Pakistani nationals in the UAE need to submit the following:
Valid Pakistani passport with at least 6 months validity
UAE residence visa with at least 90 days validity
Bank statement showing at least USD 50 per day of stay
NOC from employer or sponsor on official letterhead
Salary certificate confirming employment and monthly income
Travel insurance covering the full duration of stay
Return flight ticket and confirmed hotel reservation
Completed application form and two passport photographs
Processing time for Pakistani applicants through VFS Global is typically 5 to 15 working days. Apply at least 3 to 4 weeks before your travel date to give yourself a comfortable buffer.
How to Apply for a Saudi Araba Visa from Dubai
Route A: Saudi Araba eVisa (Online)
Go to the official Turkish government portal at evisa.gov.tr. Always use the government website directly. Third-party lookalike websites charge additional fees for a process you can complete yourself.
Select your nationality and confirm that you hold a qualifying supporting visa (Schengen, US, UK, or Ireland).
Fill in your passport details, UAE residence information, and intended travel dates. Check every detail carefully before proceeding.
Upload a clear copy of your UAE residence permit and your qualifying supporting visa, along with your hotel confirmation and return flight booking.
Pay the fee by credit or debit card. USD 20 for standard processing, USD 70 for approximately 6-hour processing, and USD 90 for approximately 1-hour processing. Your eVisa is delivered by email as a PDF. Print a copy and keep one on your phone.
Route B: Sticker Visa via VFS Global Dubai
Gather all documents from the checklist above. Collect originals and prepare clear copies of each document.
Book your VFS Global appointment in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Book as early as possible. Slots fill quickly during Eid periods and the summer travel season from June to August.
Attend your appointment and submit all documents. Fingerprints and a photograph are collected at the VFS centre during your visit.
Pay the visa fee at the centre. Approximately AED 435 to 490 for the government fee, plus AED 60 to 80 as the VFS service charge. Payment by card or cash.
Track your application using the reference number you receive. Collect your passport in person or request courier delivery once a decision is made.
Apply at least 3 to 4 weeks before your intended travel date for the sticker visa. During peak periods, processing regularly extends beyond the standard 5 to 15 working day window.
Saudi Araba Visa Fees and Processing Times
Visa Type
Government Fee
Service Charge
Total Approximate (AED)
Processing Time
eVisa, standard
USD 20, approximately AED 75
None
AED 75 to 100
30 minutes to 24 hours
eVisa, 6-hour processing
USD 70, approximately AED 260
None
AED 260 to 280
Approximately 6 hours
eVisa, 1-hour processing
USD 90, approximately AED 330
None
AED 330 to 350
Approximately 1 hour
Sticker visa, adult
AED 435 to 490
AED 60 to 80 via VFS
AED 500 to 570
5 to 15 working days
Sticker visa, child 6 to 12 years
Reduced rate
AED 60 to 80 via VFS
Confirm with VFS
5 to 15 working days
Courier return, optional
Not applicable
AED 40 to 60
Added to above
Delivered to door
All fees are approximate and may change based on the current AED to USD exchange rate. Always confirm the exact amount at VFS Global or the official eVisa portal before making any payment.
Common Reasons Saudi Araba Visa Applications Get Rejected
Most rejections are preventable. These are the patterns our team sees most frequently:
Passport validity of less than 6 months from the travel date
UAE residence visa valid for fewer than 90 days from the departure date
Hotel booking, return flight, and insurance covering different date ranges
Bank balance that appears to be a one-time deposit without a history of consistent income
Using the eVisa route without a valid qualifying supporting visa
Applying through unofficial third-party websites instead of the official government portal
Missing NOC or salary certificate for sticker visa applicants
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an NOC from my employer to apply for a Saudi Araba eVisa from Dubai?
No. If you are applying via the Saudi Araba eVisa route online, no NOC or employer letter is required at any stage. The eVisa is fully self-service. The NOC requirement applies only to the sticker visa submitted through VFS Global, where it is expected for most nationalities. If you qualify for the eVisa route, the NOC question simply does not apply to you.
Can Indians in UAE apply for a Saudi Araba eVisa without a Schengen visa?
Only if you hold another qualifying document such as a valid US visa, UK visa, or Ireland visa. Without any of those four qualifying visas, Indian passport holders in the UAE must apply for the full sticker visa via VFS Global with the complete document set. There is no online shortcut without one of the qualifying supporting visas.
What is the minimum bank balance required for a Saudi Araba visa for UAE residents?
The standard applied by Turkish consular staff is USD 50 per day of your planned stay. For a 10-day trip, that means at least USD 500, which is approximately AED 1,835. However, the consistency of that balance across your last 3 months of statements matters as much as the figure itself. A steady salary history with a regular balance is far more persuasive than a single large deposit made just before your appointment.
Can Pakistani UAE residents apply for a Saudi Araba visa from Dubai?
Yes. Pakistani nationals with a valid UAE residence visa can apply via two routes. If you hold a valid Schengen, US, UK, or Ireland visa, you qualify for the quick online eVisa with no NOC and no VFS visit. Without one of those supporting visas, you apply through VFS Global for the sticker visa with a full document set including NOC, salary certificate, bank statements, insurance, and confirmed travel bookings. Processing is 5 to 15 working days.
Is travel insurance required for the Saudi Araba eVisa, or only for the sticker visa?
Travel insurance is mandatory for the sticker visa and must be submitted with your VFS application. For the eVisa, it is not a required upload, but it is strongly recommended and border officers can request it upon arrival. A standard 10-day Saudi Araba travel insurance policy from a UAE insurer typically costs AED 50 to 150, which is a small amount relative to the cost of medical treatment abroad without cover.
Applying for a Saudi Araba visa from Dubai does not have to be complicated. Know your passport, identify your route, gather the right documents, and your application should process without any issues. If you need help reviewing your documents or managing the VFS process, eVisaPro's visa consultants in Dubai are available to handle your application from start to finish.
