The Saudi business visit visa starts with a registered Saudi company: it submits the request through the business portal of the visa platform with its commercial registration, its computer record number and a detailed purpose for the visit, adds your details, and certifies the request online through the chamber of commerce. Then you complete your file from Türkiye. Validity, type of entry and length of stay are set during processing, and some nationalities only receive a single entry. It's for meetings and exhibitions — not for work.
Türkiye and Saudi Arabia do a great deal of trade, and many Arab businesspeople living in Istanbul deal with partners in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. The first question before any meeting is: which visa do I need? In this guide we explain the business visit in detail and clarify when the tourist visa is enough and when you need a work visa.
What does a business visit allow?
Allowed
- Meetings with partners and clients
- Negotiating and signing agreements
- Attending trade exhibitions and conferences
- Visiting factories and sites for inspection
- Short business assignments at the company's invitation
Not allowed
- Actual work or being paid by a Saudi entity
- Taking up a job, even temporarily
- Overstaying
- Changing the purpose after arrival
- Using it instead of a work visa
Business visit, tourist or work visa?
| Business visit | Tourist e-visa | Work visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who requests it | A registered Saudi company | The traveller themselves | The employer |
| Purpose | Meetings, exhibitions and business assignments | Tourism, events, conferences and Umrah | Work under contract with an iqama |
| Nationalities | Most nationalities, by invitation | Eligible nationalities only | According to the visa issued |
| Work | No | No | Yes |
| Suits | Businesspeople dealing with a specific company | Public conferences, for those eligible | Employees moving for a job |
And if your trip really is for work, read our guide to the Saudi work visa from Türkiye.
The steps
- 1The Saudi company submits the request
Through the government and business portal of the visa platform, entering the establishment's details, the request details and a detailed purpose for the visit.
- 2Adding the visitors' details
The name as in the passport (in Latin script for non-Arabs), date of birth, profession, nationality, passport details and the port of entry.
- 3Certification through the chamber of commerce
The company certifies the request online through the chamber of commerce and follows up on the result.
- 4Completing your file from Türkiye
The visitor's file is completed with the Saudi mission through the channel in place at the time of application, where the validity, number of entries and length of stay are set.
- 5Travel
We book the flights and a hotel close to your meetings or the exhibition.
What the Saudi company needs
| Detail | Note |
|---|---|
| Establishment name, activity and address | As in its official record |
| Commercial registration number | A valid registration |
| Computer record number | A ten-digit number starting with 7 |
| Saudi mobile number | Starting with 05 |
| Detailed purpose of the visit | Meeting, negotiation, exhibition… clearly described |
| Visitors' details | Copied accurately from their passports |
What you need
Your file
- A passport valid for at least six months
- A recent photo on a white background
- The Saudi company's request number or invitation
- A letter from your company in Türkiye stating your position and the purpose of the trip (sometimes requested)
- A valid Turkish residence permit for non-Turks
- Flight and hotel bookings
Mistakes that delay the request
- A name or passport number that differs between the request and the passport
- A vague purpose of visit
- A profession that doesn't fit the business purpose
- Applying late, days before an exhibition
- A passport about to expire
Exhibitions and conferences
If your visit is for a trade exhibition, the request has extra conditions announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, notably:
The exhibition must be licensed to take place with international participation.
The request must be submitted at least a month before the exhibition starts.
A limited number of visas per exhibiting company.
Proof that visitors will leave after the exhibition ends.
If you're attending a conference or public event and your nationality is eligible for the tourist e-visa, that may be enough. We tell you which suits you based on the type of event and your role in it.
Duration and type of entry
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs service page states that the visa's validity, number of entries and length of stay are set when the request is processed by the relevant mission. Since 1 February 2025, tourist, business and family visit visas have been issued as single-entry only for citizens of 14 countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen and Sudan, and no return to multiple-entry visas for them had been announced as of this update. Plan your meetings accordingly.
How long does it take? Are the fees refundable?
It depends on how quickly the Saudi company submits and certifies the request, then on processing your file. For exhibitions, start at least a month ahead as the ministry requires; for regular meetings, two to four weeks ahead.
As a general rule, visa fees aren't refundable once submitted, so we check the details before payment and send you the current fees on WhatsApp.
No visa is guaranteed, but a correct request from a registered company greatly reduces delays and refusals.
By nationality
| Your nationality | Usually the best option | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish, or one eligible for the tourist visa | Business visit for meetings with a specific company; tourist visa for conferences and public events | Choose based on the nature of the trip |
| Egyptian, Jordanian, Iraqi, Moroccan, Tunisian, Yemeni… | Business visit at the company's invitation | Single entry since 1 February 2025 |
| Syrian | Business visit at the company's invitation | The tourist visa only covers you with a valid US, UK or Schengen visa |
| Resident of a Gulf country | Depends on your residence and profession | The tourist visa may be open to you under conditions |
Timeline
| Stage | Who does it | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Agreeing the meeting or exhibition date | You and the Saudi company | Fix the date before any booking |
| Submitting and certifying the request via the chamber of commerce | The Saudi company | Send them your details copied from your passport |
| Completing your file from Türkiye | You and us | Prepare the photo and your company's letter in advance |
| The visa is issued | The Saudi mission | Check the name, type of entry and duration |
| Flights and hotel | Us | A hotel near your meetings saves time in traffic |
What to bring to your meetings
Bring business cards in Arabic and English, a short presentation about your company and products, copies of any previous agreements or quotations, and your Turkish company's letter in case you're asked for it on entry. If you're visiting an exhibition, bring catalogues and samples according to the organiser's and customs' instructions, and ask in advance about bringing in commercial samples.
Useful terms
| Term | What it means in short |
|---|---|
| Commercial registration | The official registration of the Saudi establishment; its number is required in the request |
| Computer record number | A ten-digit number starting with 7, assigned to the establishment by the authorities |
| Chamber of commerce | The body through which the company certifies the business visit request online |
| Saudi mission | The embassy in Ankara or the consulate general in Istanbul, where the visa is completed |
| Single entry | A visa allowing one entry into the Kingdom, applied to 14 nationalities since February 2025 |
Business cities in Saudi Arabia
The capital and home to most ministries, major companies and regional headquarters, and to the biggest exhibitions and conferences.
The Red Sea gateway for trade, a centre for imports, retail and hospitality, and close to Makkah for anyone who wants Umrah after their meetings.
The Eastern Province: industry, energy and related services.
Tips for a successful business trip
Do
- Plan meetings from Sunday to Thursday — the weekend is Friday and Saturday
- Take prayer times into account when setting appointments
- Bring business cards and a short presentation in Arabic and English
- Dress formally and conservatively
- Confirm appointments by message the day before
Avoid
- Scheduling a meeting during Friday prayers
- Relying on a verbal promise without written confirmation
- Arriving late because of Riyadh traffic
- Giving culturally unsuitable gifts
- Staying beyond your allowed stay
Cases we see often
Composite examples based on questions we receive, not the stories of specific clients.
He wants to meet a distributor in Jeddah and then visit an exhibition in Riyadh. The distributor requests a business visit for him, and the exhibition request has its own conditions, so we arrange the dates so that one visa covers both if possible.
A Saudi company invites a team to install equipment and train staff. Here we ask first: is this a short assignment within a business visit, or actual work that needs a work visa? Mixing the two up is a violation.
He's attending a public conference in Riyadh. His nationality is eligible for the tourist e-visa, which allows attending conferences, so he may not need a company invitation at all.
Investors and frequent travellers
If you're planning to invest in the Kingdom or set up a business there, there are dedicated investor routes overseen by the Ministry of Investment, as well as Premium Residency with categories for entrepreneurs and investors. For frequent travellers of eligible nationalities, the multiple-entry tourist e-visa can be practical for attending events, while keeping to its purpose.
How we help
Alwan is a licensed travel agency in Istanbul (Group A, licence no. 9151). We go through the required details with the Saudi company in the correct format, follow your file in Türkiye, translate any documents needed, and book your flights and a hotel close to your meetings or exhibition in Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam.
Ask about the Saudi business visit visa on WhatsAppUseful guides: Saudi visa types · Saudi work visa · Saudi tourist visa · How to find cheap flights · Saudi and Gulf visa service
Source: the “business visit request” service page on the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa platform, reviewed on 31 October 2026. Procedures change; we check them when preparing your file.
Frequently asked questions
Who requests the business visit visa?
A registered Saudi company or establishment requests it through the business portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa platform, adding the details of the visitors it wants to invite. The visitor doesn't submit the initial request.
What does the Saudi company need to submit the request?
The establishment's details, business activity, address and a Saudi mobile number, its commercial registration number, its computer record number, and a detailed purpose for the visit; the request is then certified online through the chamber of commerce.
How long is the business visit visa valid, and how many entries?
The visa's validity, number of entries and length of stay are set when the request is processed by the relevant Saudi mission. Since 1 February 2025, business visas have been issued as single-entry only for citizens of 14 countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen.
Can I work on a business visit visa?
No. It's for meetings, negotiations, exhibitions and short business assignments. Actual work needs a work visa and an iqama.
Is the tourist visa enough to attend a conference or exhibition?
If your nationality is eligible for the tourist e-visa, it allows attending events and conferences. Business meetings, negotiations and work with a specific company are better suited to the business visit.
What are the rules for exhibition visas?
Exhibitions have extra conditions, including a licence for the exhibition with international participation, applying at least a month before the exhibition starts, a limited number of visas per exhibiting company, and proof that visitors will leave after it ends.
Is the business visit visa guaranteed?
No visa is guaranteed. But a request from a registered company with a clear purpose and details matching the passport greatly reduces delays and refusals.
Can I perform Umrah on a business visit visa?
It depends on the type of visa issued and the Saudi authorities' instructions at the time you travel, and it needs a permit through the Nusuk app outside the Hajj season. We check this for you before you travel if Umrah is part of your plans.
Does a Turkish citizen need a business visit to attend an exhibition?
If they're attending an exhibition or public conference as a visitor, the tourist e-visa may be enough, since it allows events and conferences. Exhibiting, or business meetings with a specific company, are better suited to the business visit.
Can colleagues from my company come with me?
Yes, the Saudi company adds each visitor with their details to the request. For exhibitions in particular there's a cap on the number of visas per exhibiting company, so plan the team size in advance.
Does the Saudi company need to be registered with the chamber of commerce?
Yes. The company certifies the business visit request online through the chamber of commerce, and the request needs a valid commercial registration and the establishment's computer record number.
What if the meeting date changes after the visa is issued?
If the new date falls within the visa's validity, it's usually fine. If it goes beyond it, you may need a new request. That's why we recommend fixing appointments before applying and booking changeable flights.
What are the working days in Saudi Arabia?
The working week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as the weekend, so plan your meetings accordingly.
