Saudi citizens seeking U.S. visas navigate a process that has evolved significantly in recent years. Saudi Arabia is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Saudi nationals require a visa for all travel to the United States. However, Saudi Arabia has a long-standing bilateral relationship with the U.S., and thousands of Saudi students, professionals, business travelers, and immigrants obtain U.S. visas annually. The primary interview location is the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, with a consulate in Jeddah.
B-1/B-2 Tourist and Business Visa for Saudi Nationals
The B-1/B-2 visa is the standard pathway for Saudi visitors — B-1 for business activities (meetings, conferences, negotiations) and B-2 for tourism, medical treatment, and family visits. The visa fee is $185 (non-refundable MRV fee).
Interview wait times at the Riyadh embassy have varied considerably — typically 30-100 days depending on the time of year. Saudi B-2 applicants often present strong financial profiles, which helps demonstrate non-immigrant intent. A well-documented application includes employment or business verification, property ownership, family ties in Saudi Arabia, bank statements, and a clear travel itinerary.
Saudi nationals who are government employees or work in defense-related sectors may experience administrative processing (Section 221(g)) — additional security clearance checks that can delay visa issuance by weeks to months. This is particularly common for applicants who have worked in Saudi government ministries, the military, or intelligence-adjacent roles. There is no way to expedite administrative processing.
E-2 Investor Visa: Saudi Arabia Is NOT Eligible
Unlike the UAE, Saudi Arabia does not have a bilateral investment treaty with the United States that qualifies for the E-2 Treaty Investor visa. Saudi nationals cannot obtain an E-2 visa. Saudi entrepreneurs and investors who want a U.S. business-linked visa must pursue other routes: the EB-5 immigrant investor green card, or employment-based nonimmigrant visas such as L-1 (for intracompany transferees) or O-1 (for extraordinary ability). Some Saudis obtain residency through a related country’s citizenship
(e.g., dual citizenship with a treaty country), but this requires genuine nationality of the treaty country.
EB-5 Investor Green Card for Saudi Nationals
High-net-worth Saudi nationals can pursue permanent U.S. residency through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. The minimum investment is $1,050,000 (or $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area), with a requirement to create or preserve at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs. Most Saudi EB-5 investors participate through Regional Center projects
— pooled investment funds that aggregate investor capital for large commercial real estate or infrastructure projects. Saudi nationals have no EB-5 visa backlog (unlike Chinese investors), meaning once the I-526E petition is approved and the Regional Center is approved, the path to a green card is relatively direct.
Saudi Students in the United States
Saudi Arabia has historically been one of the largest sources of international students in the United States, partly driven by the King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP), which funded tens of thousands of Saudi students at U.S. universities. Although the program has been scaled back from its peak, Saudi student enrollment in the U.S. remains significant. Saudi students obtain F-1 visas after admission to a SEVIS-approved institution and typically show strong financial support documentation — either from government scholarships or personal/family funds. Approved F-1 applicants typically receive 5-year visas valid for the duration of their studies.
H-1B and Professional Visas for Saudi Professionals
Saudi professionals in specialty occupations (engineering, medicine, finance, technology) can be sponsored for H-1B visas by U.S. employers. Many Saudi nationals who study in the U.S. on F-1 visas transition to OPT and then seek H-1B sponsorship from their employers. The H-1B lottery process is the same for all nationalities — registration in March, lottery selection, and USCIS petition filing. Saudi nationals already in the U.S. on valid status avoid the third-country consular processing complications that Russian or other nationals face.
Saudi government officials and Saudi Aramco employees transferring to U.S. operations may qualify for L-1 intracompany transferee visas — particularly L-1A for managers and executives. Aramco’s U.S. subsidiary operations provide concrete corporate transfer pathways for qualifying employees.
Green Card for Saudi Citizens
Saudi nationals face no employment-based green card backlog. EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 priority dates are current for Saudi citizens — no multi-year Visa Bulletin wait. Family-based immigration follows standard timelines: immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, children under 21, parents) have no cap and typically take 12-24 months. The DV Lottery (Diversity Visa Program) is not available to Saudi nationals — Saudi Arabia consistently exceeds the annual immigration cap that disqualifies countries from the DV program. Saudis must pursue family-based or employment-based green cards.
Related U.S. Immigration Guides
Use these guides to navigate the full U.S. immigration process — from your first visa to a green card and citizenship:
- How to Get a U.S. Green Card: All Pathways Explained
- Consular Processing: NVC Steps and Immigrant Visa Interview
- Form I-864 Affidavit of Support: Sponsor Income Requirements
- Visa Bulletin & Priority Dates: How to Check Your Wait
- Marriage-Based Green Card: Complete 2025 Guide
- Work Permit (EAD): Form I-765 Complete Guide
- B-1/B-2 Tourist & Business Visa: Requirements and Interview Tips
