Embarking on a road journey from Qatar to Saudi Arabia involves specific procedures and documentations. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure you’re prepared for your trip.
Essential Documents
To travel to Saudi Arabia by road from Qatar, you must have:
- QID (Qatar Identification Document)
- Passport
- Driving license
- Valid visa for Saudi Arabia
- Vehicle registration documents
Visa Application Process
For Tourist Visa:
- Online Application: Apply via the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Check e-visa eligibility at the ‘Visa Requirements’ page on the Visit Saudi website.
- Visa Center Application: Tasheer Visa Center in Doha offers manual processing.
- Location: 2nd Floor, Ezdan Mall, Al Gharaffa
- Contact: www.vc.tasheer.com
- Operating Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Passport collection from 3 pm to 5 pm
Visa Fees:
- Online e-visa: QR 290.59 (excluding medical insurance)
- Tasheer Visa Center: Approx. QR 522 for a tourist visa, additional QR 335 for lounge service (cash payments only)
Vehicle Documentation
- Vehicle Registration (Istimara): If the vehicle is not in your name, an authorization letter from the owner is needed.
- Vehicle Insurance: Mandatory for entering Saudi Arabia, available at the Abu Samra Border or via the ‘Najm Manafith’ app.
Abu Samra Border Crossing
- Exiting Qatar: Complete exit procedures at Qatar’s immigration booth, then proceed to Saudi immigration for document verification and biometrics.
- Entering Saudi Arabia: After biometrics, validate vehicle documents and purchase insurance if not done earlier.
Re-entering Qatar
- The return route can include the Al Uqayr-Salwa coastal road, set to officially open on 25 February 2024.
- Procedures at the Abu Samra border depend on your visa type, with Qatari residents and citizens undergoing a quicker process.
Travel Tips
- Consider completing biometrics at the Abu Samra border ahead of your travel date to avoid delays.
- Travel time from Doha to the Abu Samra border is approximately 40 minutes to 1 hour, with border crossing times varying based on traffic and time of day.
Other Information
- Payments at the Abu Samra border can be made with Qatari credit/debit cards or in Riyals.
- Fuel costs for the journey range from QR 150 to QR 200, with the last petrol station before the border located approximately 1 km from Abu Samra.
This guide aims to simplify your road travel preparations from Qatar to Saudi Arabia, ensuring you have all necessary documentation and knowledge for a smooth journey.
