Embassy of the United States Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The U.S. now offers 5 year, multiple entry visas to Saudi students studying in the U.S. Please apply early to avoid missing the beginning of classes! While obtaining a visa can be a lengthy process, the U.S. Mission in Saudi Arabia currently approves the vast majority of completed student applications submitted by Saudi Arabian nationals, and is working hard to make sure that students can make it on time to their programs. 

Application Process

1. Get a visa photo

• Photos must be a .jpg between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels
• Photos must be less than 240kb
• Photos must not be digitally altered
• You must bring a 5x5cm photo to the embassy

More Information

2. Complete the online application 

• Instructions for student applicants (Men)
• Instructions for student applicants (Women)
• DS-160 visa application form

3. Schedule an appointment with Visapoint

• To schedule an appointment
• For typical appointment wait times

4. Obtain your I-20

When you obtain admission to a school in the U.S. you will also get a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (I-20) form. 

The date circled in red is the start date of your program.  You must enter the United States within 30 days before this date. You may not enter before the date was passed.  We do not print visas for entry earlier than 120 days before this date.  If your visa is not ready in time to travel before this date, you will need a new I-20 or an extension letter from your school.

Spouses and children under 21 are eligible to apply for F2 visas. Each individual will need an I-20 with their name on it. 

5. Pay application fees

The visa application fee for F1 and F2 visas is SR608. This nonrefundable fee must be paid BEFORE you come to your interview.

You may pay the application fee at any branch of SAMBA bank in Saudi Arabia. If you have a SAMBA account, you can pay online. You must bring the receipt with you to the visa interview.

Students must also pay the $200 SEVIS receipt. This can be paid online at www.fmjfee.com.

All visas are returned via FedEx. You must bring cash to pay for a FedEx envelope, regardless of where you live.

Address in Riyadh   SR65
Address outside Riyadh  SR125

6. Go for the interview

On the day of the interview, only applicants with valid appointments are allowed to enter.  You may enter up to thirty minutes before the time listed on your confirmation sheet.  Only a legal guardian may accompany you into the waiting room, other friends and relatives will not be able to enter.

What to bring:

Application:

• Photo(s)
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Confirmation page(s) from the DS-160
• I20 front page copy
• SAMBA receipt(s)

Supporting Documents:

• Old passports
• Scholarship letter or bank documents
• Transcripts from previous school
• SEVIS Receipt

What not to bring:

More information on prohibited items

7. Visa Processing

After your interview, you will be told approximately how long it will take to process and print your visa.  Please remember that this is only an estimate and wait times vary, with many visas taking up to three months to process.

If you need your passport for travel in the near future, we recommend that you take back your passport at the end of the interview.