Saudi Arabia Embassy in India

The world knows Saudi Arabia as a spiritual haven for Muslims. Unarguably, it is, with Mecca and Medinah being the two holiest cities in Islam, and people from the faith take it into the highest regard. However, since the launch of Vision 2023 by the Saudi government in 2016, the country has increasingly become welcoming to people from all corners of the world.

This Arab superpower was always rich in natural and historical wonders, but until recently, not much emphasis had been given to these aspects. The government has started promoting the country as a tourist destination by focusing on the country's rich cultural and archaeological bounties, immense natural wonders and luxurious getaways.

Be it attending the Red Sea International Film Festival or the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, experiencing endless beaches or taking a shot at scuba diving, spotting the rare Arabian leopard at the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Wildlife Research Center or exploring the majestic cultural treasures of AlUla, the list is endless in Saudi Arabia.

Read More: What is Saudi Arabia Famous for?

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia is located in New Delhi. Moreover, Saudi Arabia has another consulate office in Mumbai.

Below is a quick glance at the contact details of the Saudi Arabia embassy and Saudi Consulate in India.

Note: There is no Saudi embassy in Mumbai, rather only one Saudi consulate in India which operates from Mumbai.

One may get confused between an embassy and a consulate. Although both aim to promote diplomatic ties between the host and the home country, the embassy typically has a broader function area and jurisdiction. A consulate is a representative of the embassy.

Let us understand the main points of difference between the two.

It is important to understand that there is no Saudi embassy in Hyderabad, a Saudi embassy in Kolkata or a Saudi embassy in Chennai. The embassy located in New Delhi extends its jurisdiction to almost all parts of the country.

Similar to any other embassy, The Saudi embassy in India performs five key functions. Let us learn about them in detail.

Representation: Embassies serve as diplomatic outposts, representing the home country on foreign soil. The Saudi embassy facilitates communication between the governments and represents the home country in diplomatic matters relating to political, economic, commercial and other cultural aspects.

Promotion: The Saudi embassy in India promotes its country by organising various diplomatic events, cultural exchanges, facilitating investment and trade, etc. This helps the country enhance international collaboration and attract better opportunities for trade and growth.

Protection: In case of emergencies (manmade or natural disasters), embassies act as a place of rescue. Moreover, the embassy also aims to protect the interests of the citizens of both countries.

Negotiation: Since embassies usually act as a base of communication, they offer a secure platform for discussion, resolving conflicts, and promoting agreements which are beneficial for both countries.

Information: The Saudi Arabia embassy in India plays an important role in providing quality information about the host country to the home country. The embassy gathers, analyses and reports relevant political, economical and cultural information and shares them with their home country for more effective communication and development.

The Saudi embassy in Delhi offers numerous services. Let us have a look at these:

Consular services: The embassy extends consular services like visa processing and issuance, issuance of passport, attestations and other services. Usually, there is a designated consular department which undertakes these functions. Citizens of their home and host country can avail of these services.

Diplomatic relations: The Saudi embassy is known to facilitate communication and negotiations between the countries to strengthen diplomatic ties.

Cultural exchange: The embassy organises various cultural events, exhibitions, and academic programmes to enhance person-to-person ties. Such events also help in promoting the home country's culture and awareness.

Investment promotion and trade: The Saudi embassy promotes trade and business opportunities, attracts investment towards the home country and aims to improve economic growth.

Emergency and legal assistance: At times of manmade or natural emergency, the embassy conducts rescue operations and other support operations for safeguarding the citizens. The Saudi embassy also offers legal assistance to citizens facing legal issues.

The jurisdiction of the embassy is the area within which the embassy or consulate can stay operational. The Saudi Arabia embassy is located in Delhi (there is no Saudi embassy in Kerala or any other part of the country), and the areas of jurisdiction cover almost all the states of India. Hence, the Saudi embassy's jurisdiction extends to almost all Indian states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Goa, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, etc.

Yes, Indian citizens must have a valid Saudi visa to enter the country. Saudi visa is a mandatory document for all individuals belonging to non-visa-exempt countries. India does not qualify as a visa-exempt country for Saudi Arabia.

There are several types of visa categories available; ensure you opt for the right visa type to get your visa approved without hassles. Moreover, every visa type may require a different set of documentation; hence, take care of the requirements before applying at the Saudi Arabia embassy in India.

Also read: Saudi Arabia Visa for Indians

The procedure to apply for a Saudi Arabia visa is simple. The country started an E-visa facility that helped tremendously in the growth of the nation's tourism industry. There are 63 countries eligible for e-visa, unfortunately, India does not qualify for e-visa facility. However, according to a recent development, Indian passport holders who have valid US, UK or Schengen visas can now apply for Saudi e-visa online.

Process to Apply for Visa at Saudi Arabia Embassy in India

Step 1: Confirm your purpose for visiting Saudi Arabia and then select the correct visa type. Documentations required may differ from one visa type to another. Hence, ensure you gather all the required documents before visiting the embassy or consulate for a visa application.

Step 2: Visit the embassy or the Saudi consulate in India (Mumbai) during their operating hours.

Step 3: Get the correct visa form. Read the application form and enter all the required details carefully. Ensure the form is completely filled and duly signed.

Step 4: Attach copies of the required documents along with the form.

Step 5: Submit the application and documents and pay the relevant fees.

Saudi Arabia offers unique offerings to its travellers in terms of rich heritage, breathtaking natural beauty, remarkable archaeology, majestic architecture and delectable cuisine. In recent years, the country has undergone significant cultural transformations in order to attract more tourists and place itself as a popular tourist destination within the region. Many age-old customs have been relaxed to fit in the contemporary world we live in today.

So, if you plan to explore this exciting destination, ensure you opt for a proper visa, adhere to rules and regulations and get yourself adequately covered by purchasing international travel insurance online. When you buy a travel insurance policy for a trusted brand like Tata AIG, you not only get yourself covered for medical emergencies during the trip but also get covered for delayed or cancelled flights, loss of baggage and passports, etc.

For instance, if your flight gets cancelled, the flight cancellation insurance helps you reimburse the unused and non-refundable flight cancellation and accommodation charges. Moreover, our comprehensive coverage also includes personal liability and hijack cover, automatic extensions, and travel assistance - everything at affordable prices.

So, remember to get overseas travelling insurance for your next trip to Saudi Arabia.