Planning a trip from Qatar to Saudi Arabia via Road? Abu Samra’s border crossing streamlines your journey, providing you with a convenient land passage between the two countries.
Documents required to travel from Qatar to Saudi Arabia via Road
A seamless and smooth road trip to Saudi Arabia begins with gathering the necessary documents. You’ll need the following while travelling from Qatar To Saudi Arabia via Road:
Qatar ID (QID): Your Qatar ID serves as a vital form of identification and must be carried with you at all times. You can check your Qatar ID Status at Qatar ID Check.
Driving License: Take your valid license with you if you plan to drive during your road trip. Qatar and Saudi Arabia both require you to have a driver’s license before you can operate a vehicle.
Valid Vehicle Documents: Make sure that you have all the necessary vehicle documents, including registration and Qatar Travel Health Insurance, whether you’re driving your own car or renting one.
Passport: In order to travel, you must have a valid passport with at least six months left on its validity date. Keep your passport up-to-date and easily accessible.
Valid Visa: Saudi Arabia requires a valid visa as a condition of entry.
The following sections will explore the visa application process in more detail.
How to Apply for a Tourist Visa to Travel to Saudi Arabia?
In case you are a resident of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), you are eligible for the convenient Qatar Tourist Visa (e-visa), which can be obtained online or through the Tasheer Visa Center in Doha. You can also visit Qatar Visa for GCC Residents. Follow these steps to get started with your journey from Qatar To Saudi Arabia via Road:
Online Visa Application
To apply for your e-visa, visit the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Visit Saudi’s website to verify your eligibility for a visa.
It is important to note that the e-visa can be used for tourism, events, and Umrah but cannot be used for Hajj.
There is an e-visa fee of QR 290.59 (SAR 300), excluding the medical insurance fee, which starts at QR 36.5 ($10) depending on the insurer.
Please provide the following documents: your original passport (valid for at least six months, except for American citizens), a recent photograph with a white background, and a copy of your Qatar ID (valid for at least three months).
If you wish to schedule an appointment, you can do so online or by visiting the center directly.
Visit the center on the date of your appointment to submit your documents and complete the biometric process.
You can collect your passport from the visa center after completing the application process, which usually takes one day.
At the Tasheer Visa Center, visa fees, service fees, medical fees, and Enjaz fees total approximately QR 522. Lounge services may be subject to additional charges.
Visa center only accepts cash payments.
What Vehicle Documents are Required When Traveling from Qatar To Saudi Arabia via Road?
Vehicle Registration
Make sure you have your Vehicle Registration (Istimara) with you if you’re traveling in a vehicle registered under your name.
While on your journey from Qatar To Saudi Arabia via Road, the owner of the vehicle must provide you with an authorization letter if the vehicle is not your own.
Pre-registration is intended to streamline the process, however, it is not mandatory. If you prefer, you can complete the registration directly at the Abu Samra Border.
Exiting Qatar
As soon as you arrive at the Abu Samra Border, approach the first booth, which is Qatar’s immigration checkpoint. You will be required to provide personal documents for validation here.
After completing the biometric procedure (fingerprints, eye scans, and a photo capture), proceed to the Saudi Arabian immigration/customs building. There are separate buildings and queues for GCC citizens and residents, as well as for men and women.
It is not necessary to complete the biometric procedure again if you have applied for your visa through Tasheer Visa Center.
A customs officer will check your personal documents and visa once your biometrics have been completed.
Continue to the next checkpoint, where your vehicle documents will be examined and validated. At this point, you can purchase vehicle insurance if you haven’t already. Hold onto your insurance receipt, as you will need to present it upon returning to Qatar.
Note: Consider traveling to the Abu Samra Border a day or two in advance if you’re entering Saudi Arabia for the first time. By doing so, you’ll be able to avoid long lines and crowds during peak travel times.
Re-Entering Qatar
Depending on your point of departure, it is possible to take multiple routes from Saudi Arabia to Qatar.
Dammam can be reached from the Qatar border in approximately 2 hours via the newly opened Al Uqayr-Salwa coastal road.
You only need to scan your QID and passport when re-entering Qatar via Abu Samra Border if you are a Qatari resident or citizen.
You must pass through immigration at the Abu Samra Border if you’re visiting Qatar on a visitor visa.
If you follow these guidelines and adhere to the necessary requirements, you can embark on an unforgettable road trip from Qatar to Saudi Arabia, immersing yourself in the breathtaking scenery and cultural wonders of the Arabian Peninsula.
FAQs
The driving distance between Qatar and Saudi Arabia is 630 km. The drive from Qatar to Saudi Arabia takes approximately 6h 45m.
You can drive from Doha to Saudi Arabia for $35 – $55 and it takes 6h 45m. From Doha to Saudi Arabia, the fastest way to get there is by plane, which takes 3h 39m and costs between $130 and $300.
Saudi Arabia requires only a few basic documents to travel by road from Qatar. The following documents are required: QID (Qatar Identification Document) Passport.
Wrapping Up
Exploring the wonders of the Arabian Peninsula from Qatar to Saudi Arabia via Road is an exciting experience. With reopened borders and lowered travel restrictions, adventurers can now explore the diverse landscapes, rich heritage, and warm hospitality of Saudi Arabia on this cross-border expedition. Preparing the necessary documents, understanding the requirements, and following practical tips will enable you to embark on a seamless and memorable journey.
