Pakistani applicants · Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Student Visa for Pakistani citizens
Visa for international students at Saudi universities — the King Abdullah Scholarship Program and institutional scholarships fund many international students.
This page covers the Student Visa specifically for Pakistani applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Pakistan. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 2–6 weeks.
- Government fees
- Visa fee varies by nationality; many scholarship students have fees waived.
- Typical duration
- Duration of the programme; renewed annually.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: a Kingdom of Saudi Arabia consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Tourist-entry rules for Pakistani nationals are set by Ministry of Education and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Student Visa is a separate application from any tourist entry.
Visa overview
Saudi Arabia issues student visas for international students accepted at Saudi universities. The country has invested heavily in higher education under Vision 2030 — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), King Saud University (KSU), and others are internationally ranked. Many international students attend on fully funded scholarships (tuition, accommodation, stipend, and health insurance). The student visa is tied to the institution. After graduation, students must either secure employment (and transition to a work visa/iqama) or leave the country — there is no formal post-study job-seeking visa in Saudi Arabia.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Acceptance at a Saudi higher-education institution.Ministry of Education (Saudi Arabia) ↗
- ✓Scholarship confirmation or evidence of financial resources to cover living costs.
- ✓Medical fitness.Ministry of Education (Saudi Arabia) ↗
Common blockers
- !No acceptance or scholarship.
- !Medical unfitness.
Typical evidence
- ·Acceptance letter from the institution.
- ·Scholarship confirmation or financial evidence.
- ·Medical certificate.
- ·Passport.
Application pathway
Secure admission and scholarship
Apply through the institution. KAUST, KFUPM, and KSU have dedicated international-admissions offices. Many programmes are fully funded — apply for institutional scholarships.
Apply for student visa
Submit the visa application at the Saudi embassy/consulate with acceptance and scholarship documentation.
Study in Saudi Arabia
Attend the programme. Student-visa holders cannot work outside the institution (some institutions allow research-assistant and teaching-assistant roles for funded students).
Post-graduation: employment or departure
After graduation, you must either secure employment (employer applies for a work visa/iqama) or leave. There is no post-study job-seeking visa in Saudi Arabia.
Other Kingdom of Saudi Arabia routes covered for Pakistani applicants
Premium Residency
Saudi Arabia's permanent residence programme — available for a lump-sum fee or annual fee, with property ownership and employer-independent work rights.
Work Visa and Iqama (Employer-Sponsored Residence)
Standard employer-sponsored work visa and residence permit (iqama) — the primary route for most foreign workers in Saudi Arabia.
Not sure Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer study routes that Pakistani nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Pakistani citizens eligible for the Student Visa?+
Eligibility for the Student Visa is set by Ministry of Education and is not nationality-restricted. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Pakistani applicants typically file the Student Visa?+
a Kingdom of Saudi Arabia consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Ministry of Education — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Pakistani applicants need a tourist visa for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well?+
Tourist-entry rules for Pakistani nationals are set by Ministry of Education and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Student Visa is a separate application from any tourist entry.
Are scholarships available for international students in Saudi Arabia?+
Yes, and many are fully funded. KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) funds all admitted graduate students — tuition, accommodation, stipend, and health insurance. KFUPM offers scholarships for graduate students. King Saud University and other major institutions offer institutional scholarships. Saudi Arabia has historically been one of the most generous scholarship providers in the Middle East.
Can I work while studying in Saudi Arabia?+
Generally no — student-visa holders cannot take external employment. However, funded research students at institutions like KAUST and KFUPM can work as research assistants or teaching assistants within the institution as part of their scholarship package.