Schengen Tourist Visa Documents for Saudis and Residents

Getting your Schengen tourist visa file right is the biggest factor in how smoothly your application goes, and most delays come from a missing document or one that does not match the rest of the file. This guide sets out the documents for a Schengen visa for Saudis and for residents of Saudi Arabia, and separates what the official bodies require from what embassies commonly ask for.

We write this at Almorad, a tourist visa office in Riyadh, and we review every point before we publish it. Because details differ from one embassy to another, have your file reviewed with us before you book your appointment.

Do Saudis need a Schengen visa?

Yes. Saudi nationals are on the list of countries whose citizens need a visa to cross the external borders of the EU Member States. For residents of Saudi Arabia it depends on their nationality, so check the list for your own country before applying.

Where and how do you apply?

The application goes to the competent consulate for the place where you legally reside, under the EU Visa Code (Article 6), so a resident of the Kingdom applies there. In Saudi Arabia, applications are usually lodged at the embassy or at authorised application centres, as the official page of the Netherlands embassy in Saudi Arabia and its application centre explains.

On timing, the European Commission requires you to apply at least 15 days before your trip and no more than 6 months before it. Processing normally takes 15 days and can reach 45 days in cases that need closer examination.

Core documents required by the official bodies

These documents are common to all Schengen countries according to the European Commission page and the EU Visa Code:

Documents that show your ties to the Kingdom

This list reflects what we prepare with our clients. It is not a uniform official requirement and may differ slightly by country and embassy.

For Saudi citizens and residents

• A copy of your passport, and a copy of any previous Schengen visa if you have one.
• A copy of your ID or residence permit, valid for at least 90 days after your return date from the Schengen area.
• Two recent photos, 3.5 x 4.5 cm, on a white background, without glasses or a shemagh (a headscarf is allowed for women).
• A salary certificate in English, attested by the Chamber of Commerce and addressed to the embassy. Business owners add a commercial registration in English, and retirees add a GOSI (social insurance) certificate.
• A bank statement in English. We usually ask for 4 months for Saudis and 6 months for residents. Some embassies tend to look for a balance of around SAR 15,000 to 20,000 per person, which is not an official requirement.

For residents only

• A valid exit and re-entry visa.
• A resident report from Absher.
• An employment contract from the Qiwa platform.

Steps to apply for a Schengen visa

1. Choose the country and channel: you usually apply to the embassy of the country where you will spend the longest part of your trip, or to its authorised application centre.
2. Prepare your documents: gather the core documents and your proof of ties to the Kingdom, and check that the file is complete before you book.
3. Fill in the application: with accurate details that match your passport and the rest of the file.
4. Book the appointment and pay the fees: the published fees are paid when you apply.
5. Submit the file and give your fingerprints: if the authority requires it.
6. Follow up: until you receive the decision by the approved method.

Mistakes that delay or sink a file

• A passport without the required validity after departure, issued more than 10 years ago, or without two blank pages.
• Medical insurance that does not cover the whole stay or every country on the trip, or that covers less than EUR 30,000.
• Booking dates, insurance dates and the trip plan that do not match.
• A bank statement that is inconsistent with the salary or with the trip costs you describe.
• Submitting an incomplete file, which can lead to refusal, as the official portals warn.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Schengen visa take?

Processing normally takes 15 days and can reach 45 days, according to the European Commission. The actual time varies by embassy and season, so do not book your flight until you are sure of your appointment.

When should I apply before travelling?

At least 15 days before the trip and no more than 6 months before it, with urgent exceptions at the consulate's discretion.

Is travel medical insurance mandatory?

Yes. Article 15 of the EU Visa Code requires insurance with cover of at least EUR 30,000 that is valid in all Schengen countries for the whole stay.

Do I need a confirmed flight and hotel booking before applying?

Requirements vary between embassies. We usually advise a cancellable booking and avoiding non-refundable payments before the decision.

Does a resident submit the same documents as a Saudi citizen?

The basics are the same, but a resident usually adds the residence permit, an exit and re-entry visa, an Absher resident report and an employment contract. The resident applies in the Kingdom because it is the place of legal residence.

Does Almorad issue the visa?

No, the embassy makes the decision. We help you prepare and review your file, arrange the appointment and follow up until you receive the decision.

Prepare Your File With Almorad

If you are looking for a visa office in Riyadh to review your file before you apply, see our Schengen tourist visa service or our other visa services, or message us on WhatsApp and tell us your destination and travel dates.