Higher education in Saudi Arabia is very similar to the educational landscape in the United States of America; with two semesters from September to June, starting after high school. While historically many Saudis have chosen to study outside the country, the government invests heavily in the education sector and encourages people to study in the country at various public and private universities, colleges, and vocational training centers.

Areas of study in the Kingdom include medicine, economics, engineering, Islamic law, and veterinary science. Most programs at universities are 4-year degree programs. 

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If you want to study in Saudi Arabia, you need to apply for a student visa beforehand.

How to get a student visa?

To obtain a student visa to Saudi Arabia, you must first be enrolled in an educational institution in Saudi Arabia. 

After that, the educational institution must apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia for your student visa. 

If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs permits a visa, you can apply at one of the embassies or consulates of Saudi Arabia nearby by submitting the following documents:

1. Permission certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia or any of its branches in Jeddah or Dammam (for example, visa permit number);
2. Birth certificate of the applicant;
3. Three (3) color passport-sized photographs;
4. The original of your certificate of secondary education or other previous academic qualifications and 1 copy. The copy must be certified by the Saudi Cultural Mission.
5. A medical report issued by a certified physician indicating that you do not suffer from any infectious diseases. The report must be issued within the last three months. Applicants under the age of 16 should not submit a medical report;
6. Police admission issued within the last six months;
7. If you are under the age of 18: permission to travel from your parents or legal guardians.

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How to apply online for a student visa to Saudi Arabia?

To apply for a student visa to Saudi Arabia, you need to do the following:

• Go to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia; 
• On the main page, select eServices;
• A list of services will appear from which you can choose: click on Electronic visas;
• After that, a list of universal tourist visas will appear;
• Hover over to the Study Visa Request;
• Fill out the electronic form;
• Track the status of the request, which usually takes three days.

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For how long is a student visa valid?

Short-term visas are often granted to students who plan to take a language course or diploma certificate courses, the total duration of which is often limited to 90 days (3 months).

Long-term visas, on the other hand, are usually granted to students who intend to study for educational programs that last more than three months.

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Payment and cost of a student visa to Saudi Arabia

The visa fee for applying for a student visa to Saudi Arabia is 50 SAR, but this fee can be changed at any time. In addition, you must pay VAT at the appropriate rates.

When applying at the embassy or consulate, the fee and preferred payment method in most cases are determined by the country from which you apply.

Under the latest rules, visa fees should only be paid online if you choose to get a student visa in Saudi Arabia. Applicants cannot make offline payments.

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To study, you also need to confirm your language proficiency level: for English-language programs, it is necessary to present the results of IELTS or TOEFL, while programs in Arabic require the results of a national exam. You can take this exam in university centers and language schools in the country.

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Can I combine study and work in Saudi Arabia?

Unfortunately, as a student in Saudi Arabia, you are not allowed to work. However, during studying in the country, you can undergo an internship, which is often paid.

For international students in Saudi Arabia, there are many opportunities for employment in graduate school.

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Is it possible to get a scholarship to study?

The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia annually offers scholarships to outstanding students from around the world. This is in line with the kingdom's growing focus and support for the proliferation of knowledge and scientific research as part of its multiple contributions to scientific and cultural communication around the world, contributing to the development of human civilization. Scholarships for studying at a university in Saudi Arabia are provided by public and private universities. Thus, education in the country can be obtained for free or at a large discount.

There are three types of funding:

• Full scholarship — tuition coverage and other student expenses;
• Partial scholarship — can cover only study, or residence and study;
• Scientific grants.