The Mediterranean Island of Malta is located in between Sicily and Libya. Due to its location, it has long been viewed as a place of great strategic relevance. In accordance, Malta has seen its shores invaded numerous times by an array of different cultures.

The English, French, Romans and Arabs are a few of many that have tried to claim this land as their own. It is this mix of cultural influences that has helped shape the Maltese culture seen today. This is evident in their architecture, language and cuisine.

Now known for its beautiful beaches and sunny weather, Malta’s mix of the Mediterranean lifestyle and nightlife make this a favourite with tourists.

Here are 10 reasons why Malta should be your next holiday destination.

The Weather

Like most Mediterranean Countries, Malta is rarely cold. The yearly climate on average is 22-23 C (72-73F). The summer season starts around mid April time, with tourists still spotted sunbathing in November. Malta can total an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, which is one the highest in Europe.

The Locals

Not only are the Maltese famous for their hospitality but many of Malta’s residents are multilingual.

Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English. Until September 1964 Malta was under British rule. It is still common to find many English who have emigrated here, either for work or retirement.

Although the majority of locals speak English it is common for them to speak another language such as Italian, french or Arabic. If you hear the Maltese language, you’ll find a mix of all four of these influences.

The Culture

Religion is very important in Malta, with over 90% of the population practicing Catholicism. Every town has its own church and you’ll often see religious statues in gardens, cars and homes. There are many festivals and carnivals throughout the year bringing the streets to life and communities together.

The Maltese also love their music. Traditional Maltese music is known as ghana. This is where the Maltese locals take turns to argue points in song over a folk guitar. Ghana has been used throughout history as an impromptu way to highlight current events.

In more recent years Jazz has become a popular source of entertainment. Sliema in Malta hosts a an annual jazz festival during the summer. St Julian’s has a large range of Jazz bars that see both local and foreign artists perform at.

The Nightlife

There are two types of nightlife in Malta. Paceville located near St Julian’s is well-known for its many clubs and residence that never sleep. The location is bustling with a mixture of locals and tourists, all looking for good night out.

For a slightly more subdued evening, there is Valletta or Sliema. Not far from the party town of Paceville. Many of the locals go to these coastal towns to eat drink and socialise.

Eating at one of Malta’s many restaurants is a must when holidaying in Malta.

The Food

Like the language, Malta’s cuisine draws influence from many different cultures. You’ll find an Arabic and English but you’ll find Italian food being most prominent (with a Maltese twist of course).

Some specialties include Fenek (rabbit), Aranchini (a deep fried risotto ball with filling), Maltese sausage, Timpana (macaroni in pastry), Ross il-forn (baked rice), Bigilla (bean dip) and the local bread Ftira.

The Accommodation

There’s definitely no shortage of places to stay in Malta. With new accommodation being built everyday in Malta, what ever your budget, there’s bound to be a place to suit you.

Accommodation in Malta ranges from lavish hotels to penthouses, self catering apartments and budget rooms.

Locations range from central hot spots, resorts to seaside views and residential areas. Due to Malta’s size, you are never far from the sea and local attractions.

The Location

Malta is located right in the centre of the Mediterranean. Just South of Sicily, East of Tunisia, North of Libya and North East of Egypt, making Malta equally close to the Middle East and North Africa.

This central location makes it a convenient place to travel to and from.

Cheap Flights

Since the introduction of budget airlines, there is a long list of airlines that fly to Malta from all over the world.

Air Berlin, Air Malta, Alitalia, BMI Baby, Easyjet, Egyptair, Emirates, Finnair, Jat, Jet Time, Lufthansa, Luxair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, Scandinavian SAS, Thomas Cook Thomson Airways, Tunisair Express

all fly to Malta. The amount of airlines that fly there means not only is Malta easy to get to but cheap.

Malta can also be reached by sea. Ferries and cruise ships frequent its shores.

The Transport

Malta is a small Island, so getting to places is never a hassle. Malta’s regular bus service means getting around couldn’t be easier. Since the public bus company was taken over by British company Arriva, more bus routes have been added. The new buses also include air conditioning, which is a must in summer.

Some of Malta’s iconic yellow buses can still be seen today, offering tours of the island in the summer months.

The Entertainment

Malta has a variety of attractions, museums and events to keep even the most active of you busy.

For some family fun there is Popeye village. This old film set was from the film Popeye starring Robin Williams. It has since been turned into a theme park which offers a range of activities for kids and adults alike.

Malta is full of historical artifacts and destinations. The capital of Valletta not only hosts a number of museums and galleries but it has been classed as a national heritage site by UNESCO since 1980.

A large number of casinos, water sports plus a whole range of other activities are also available on the island.

Waikiki in Honolulu is on the south-east coast and now has several hostel accommodations where you can stay for a very humble payment from $25 per night. Private rooms are available so if you are on your honeymoon you need not be despair or be concerned that you have chosen hostel accommodation!

Hostels are now thankfully losing the poor image they have suffered for many years of scratchy sheets, no sheets, and dark and dismal rooms occupied by pot smoking hippies. That scenario disappeared long ago, and now hostels are bright, cheery, welcoming, comfortable and clean establishments. The huge benefit of choosing a hostel, apart from all the cash you save is that you will meet friendly and down-to-earth people who are more than likely experienced travelers willing to share their knowledge with you, perhaps making lasting friendships. This gives you the best local information from day one of your vacation so that you will not miss out on the best restaurants, attractions, best value shopping and of course the beaches.

If you are travelling solo, hostels are definitely the best option, and not just to save money. Hotels can be very lonely places for single travelers, and the facilities they offer are usually aimed at couples and families. Apart from that, you really get stung on your room charges for solo occupancy. In any hostel you will make friends very quickly, and evenings often have a social gathering arranged for residents.

Oahu offers pristine beaches where you can snorkel as much as you like for the cost of a snorkel kit! The corals and colorful tropical fish will keep you occupied or hours and days on end. Water sports are of course offered, surfing being a very popular sport on the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian climate is glorious, with little difference between seasons.

Hiking and walking are not to be overlooked and this is another free of charge activity. Oahu has an amazing and diverse landscape – Jurassic Park was filmed on the Hawaiian Islands and now you can experience that beauty and diversity without looking over your shoulder for veloceraptors!

Waikiki has many nightclubs and bars to party the night away, giving a total contrast to the peace and tranquility you can also experience on this island. The center of Honolulu is teeming with designer stores, shopping malls and restaurants to satisfy all tastes. Hawaii has a beautiful culture and you should not miss going to a Luau which is a Hawaiian feast, and perhaps a slack key concert where traditional Hawaiian song and music is performed

Hawaii’s number one attraction is the Pearl Harbor Memorial. The first United States battle of World War II in the Pacific was the surprise attack from the Imperial Japanese Navy on Pearl Harbor, Oahu on the morning of December 7th 1941 and was aimed at the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy and its defending Army Air Corps and Marine Air Forces. 353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes were launched in two waves from six aircraft carriers and attacked, damaged or destroyed twelve American warships, 188 aircraft, and killed 2,403 American servicemen and 68 civilians.

At the memorial you watch a film of the attack and see memorabilia in the museum. You can almost hear the aircraft as you look over Oahu bay and imagine what that terrible day must have been like for those people who died and for those who lived to tell of their experience. The memorial is named Arizona after the tragic sinking of the Navy vessel Arizona on which so many perished.

The Arizona memorial is a privilege to visit, and Oahu is a blessing that everyone can now take advantage of with cheap flights readily available and friendly hostel accommodations waiting. These islands used to be an exclusively rich man’s paradise, but not any more, Oahu and the Hawaiian Islands is now a paradise available to everyone.

The spring months are also a very practical time of the year to travel as you can easily get away with taking only hand luggage onboard, saving you money and time at the airport, port or station. Again, travelling light means you’ll get to fit more into your few day trip as you won’t take ages to get to your hotel dragging heavy cases, you won’t have much to unpack and you’ll know exactly what to wear every day, provided you’ve packed your outfits wisely.

Spring breaks are unlikely to require any formal clothing, which is great because you don’t have to worry about clothing getting a bit creased. Creased is just casual, right? In most modern cities you definitely won’t be alone with that approach.

Outfit Ideas

Although it may not be warm enough to walk around barelegged, this is no reason for ladies not to wear a skirt or a dress. In fact, this is one of the most practical pieces you could pack. Tights or leggings take up much less space than trousers so throw in a few pairs and just match them up with some light dresses in natural fibres that will see you through the day without getting too hot and bothered. Mid-length or ¾ length sleeves are the perfect choice for March through to May. Jersey material is stretchy and won’t crease much. Ever fashionable shapes are the wrap dress or tight-fitted bodycon. For added warmth in the chilly morning and evening hours, bring along two cardigans in different colours so you feel like you’re wearing something different every day. It might be a bit windy so grab a shawl or scarf that works to nicely jazz up an outfit too. A big shawl can double up as a ‘cardigan’ or wrap if you think it’s really too warm to bring that extra layer with you during the day.

Northern destinations might require a few extra items. Spring arrives later to Scandinavia and the Baltics, for example, so a jacket is likely to be a much appreciated addition to your travel wardrobe. Bring along something light, such as a thin anorak, or pack a leather jacket that’s thick enough to let you throw it on straight over a dress, skipping the cardigan layer. Women’s leather jackets come in shapes and sizes to suit every personal style, be it classically feminine or 90s-inspired grunge.

In terms of shoes, comfy trainers or leather brogues should cut in no matter your destination. For chillier destinations, just pack a few pair of sports or cashmere socks that are light and thin but provide great warmth.

The last thing you need to worry about is budgeting your money during your vacation. This is where an all inclusive vacation package at a Mayan resort makes so much sense. For one flat rate you get everything you need to make a truly memorable vacation. Let’s face it, when you’re on vacation you deserve the best your hard earned money can buy.

Going on a Mayan Riviera all inclusive resort vacation is a great way to make sure your vacation dollars give you the most bang for your buck. Many of the resorts along the Riviera Maya offer a variety of all inclusive packages that are meant to appeal to different demographics of vacationers. Carefully comparing resorts and what they have to offer is the first step to deciding which Mayan resort offers everything you need for that perfect vacation.

This is important because there are a wide variety of all inclusive Mayan resorts to choose from. Some cater to specific types of vacationers so it’s important to choose one that fits your vacation plans. You will find that there are resorts that are for singles, for couples only, and for gays and lesbians. There are also resorts that cater specifically to families or are adults only. Just be sure to pick the resort that matches your vacationing needs.

Mayan Resort – Understanding the Different All Inclusive Packages

Just as there are a multitude of all inclusive Mayan resorts there are that many more vacation packages to choose from. Digging through all they have to offer can be a daunting task because every resorts definition of “all inclusive” is a little different. One resort destination may offer certain things under that moniker that other resorts do not.

Here’s a little sample of what you might find when researching all inclusive Mayan Resort vacation packages: Some resorts will offer airfare, hotel accommodations and all meals. Others include airfare, room accommodations, meals, drinks and airport shuttle service. Some resorts are truly all inclusive in that they include everything offered on the property, but airfare is not included. It’s not always the case but it is usually cheaper to book airfare as part of the all inclusive package then booking the flight on your own.

If you like to imbibe in a few cocktails when on vacation it is important to check into the alcoholic beverage rules of each resort. Some include all beverages no matter the type. Other resorts have certain rules as to what type and when drinks are included in the all inclusive price. This is one perk that needs to be looked at closely as the cost alcoholic drinks can add up quickly if they are not part of the price package.

Mayan Resort – Finding the Best Deal

Just like anything else in life finding the best deal on your all inclusive vacation at a Mayan resort is about shopping around. And even before you start looking at vacation packages it is a good idea to stop and think about what you are looking for. Is this a family vacation with all the kids or a couple looking for a romantic getaway?

Once you’ve got the type of vacation narrowed down you can start to compare the different all inclusive packages that fit your criteria. Two of the best places to find out about what the different Mayan resorts have to offer is through travel agencies and on the internet.

The best part of booking an all inclusive Mayan resort vacation is knowing that you’ll have everything you need for a great vacation and it will already be paid for. This will make your vacation that much more relaxing because there won’t be any budget busting surprises waiting at you resort destination. The biggest thing you’ll have to worry about is deciding what to do with your day.

When a malaria-carrying mosquito bites a person, the malar­ia parasites travel to the liver via the blood stream and develop there without causing any signs of illness. Once the parasite is ready, it leaves the liver and attacks the red blood cells. This is the stage at which anti-malarial drugs act, by preventing the parasite from infecting blood cells and thereby preventing the symptoms of malaria from developing. It is important to keep taking anti malarial regularly while abroad, so that drug levels in the blood are sufficient to prevent disease, and to continue taking the drugs for four weeks after leaving the malaria area, so that the incubation period after any potential bites is covered by the drugs.

The malaria-carrying mosquitoes bite from dusk to dawn and bites can be prevented by using a combination of methods:

The first is your clothing and the recommendation is you wear shirts and trousers after dusk. Clothing can also be soaked in repellent, 30 millilitres of repellent dissolved in 250 millilitres of water is an effective mixture, or sprayed with 100 per cent DEET but you must use only on cotton not synthetic clothes.

Secondly is the use of barriers, and you must if you can sleep in an air-conditioned or a screened room, or under a mosquito net preferably one impregnated with perme-thrin, in the ratio of 0.2 grams of permethrin per metre of material. A small but very valid point is to ensure the net is complete with no tears, and especially if you are in non airconditioning, that you ensure the net is empty after you get in, and sealed by tucking into the mattress.

Thirdly repel or kill any mosquitoes which have en­tered the bedroom with pyrethrum sprays, mosquito coils or electrical insecticide dispensers. Electronic buzzers are not effective. Using repellents containing diethyltoluamide, DEET, 50 per cent DEET is more effective, and recommended for malaria areas. Children, pregnant women and travellers with skin conditions may prefer to use eucalyptus-based repellent Mosiguard Natural.

Anti-malarial drug therapy is an area fraught with difficulty. The changing pattern of drug resistance, together with possible side-effects of the drugs, have made it increasingly difficult to choose the correct regimens. With this in mind, it is advisable for all travellers to obtain specialist advice prior to their trip.

Finding an Agent

Finding a reputable overseas shipping agent is very important as they will provide you with the necessary information and paper work for the particular country you are moving your possessions to. It is advisable to get prices from two or three shipping agents to make sure you get value for your dollar as shipping costs and agent’s fees can differ from agent to agent.

What to Freight?

You will need to find out whether it is cheaper for you to sell any of your possessions that can be repurchased in your new country or pay to have them shipped.

Air or Sea Freight?

As air freight is too expensive under normal circumstances for non-urgent items the cheaper freight option for shipping your possessions would be by sea. If you have any items that you will need upon your arrival then you should use air freight. Declare the full value and pay any additional insurance to cover the items in case they get damaged.

Total Volume to be Shipped

You will need to have a close estimate of the total cubic feet/meter of what possessions you are relocating so you can calculate and budget for freight expenses from the cost per cubic feet/meter the shipping agent provided. Be aware that your cubic volume calculation may differ considerably from the shipping agents final tally, so budget for more to be on the safe side.

The reason for this is that when your belongings are re-stacked onto pallets or into holding bays in the shipping container they do not stack them as tightly as they could be and so extra space is used up of which you have to pay for.

Planning Ahead

Booking your shipping container well in advance so you can work towards a date to have all your belongings packed and ready to be picked by the freight company is very important.

If you leave the container booking too late you run the risk of missing a rescheduled cut-off date and you will have to wait for the next one to ship causing you to be without your possessions in your new country for longer than you had planned. This can cause all sorts of headaches that you do not need when you have just moved to a different country.

Packing and Insurance

If you plan to have your belongings that are to be shipped insured, then you may have to have them packed by a professional packing company who is approved by your chosen travel insurance company rather than pack them yourself.

If you can find an insurance company that will allow you to pack your own belongings all well and good, otherwise this is another cost that you will have to allow for. If you pack your own belongings you will need to number your boxes on at least two sides with a thick marker pen for clear identification.

Create a detailed list called a manifest of what is in each box or container and then make four copies. One may be required by the freight company driver who will take your packages to the port container, one for your shipping agent and two copies for yourself.

If you are intending to hire a professional packing company check out their background, website, testimonials and third-party recommendations before you engage their services because you do not want anything going wrong with the shipping of your belongings.

Check out a couple of packing companies and compare what they offer as in the way of a guarantee, overseas contact number for any issues, service manner and lastly pricing.

If you do not feel comfortable with a particular company for any reason, though they may be cheaper, go with the company that you do feel comfortable with even if you have to pay a little bit extra. In the long run it will be worth it.

Uplifting Your Possessions

You will need to coincide your arrival in your new country with the arrival of your container within a week or so of one another, as you will want to be ready to uplift your belongings or have them picked up by a freight company as soon as the container arrives and has cleared customs, so you will not incur any additional holding costs at the shipping port.

Once you have arrived in your new country make it your first priority to contact the port authorities or call into see them to check that the paperwork is in order and to sort out any issues well in advance of your containers arrival.

You will also need to find out the grace period that your belongings are allowed to be held at the port without incurring a daily holding fee. This will give you additional time to sort out any anomalies that you had not foreseen that may occur with you belongings.

Q&A

Asking the right questions and doing the necessary research before you move overseas will help prevent delays such as some or all of your belongings not being released from customs or from the shipping company.

This can arise from not having the right paper work completed or having some item in your belongings that customs deem as dangerous or illegal such as a collection of antique pistols or an ornamental samurai sword. Delays of this nature, which can be avoided can cause a great inconvenience and can lead to high holding cost until the matter is resolved.

You may have to ring the port authorities or customs of the country you are moving to prior to your departure and discuss any matters that you cannot find out from your shipping or travel agent or the countries customs website.

Packing too much or too little are mishaps that you need to avoid because they will create numerous issues. Here are a few suggestions designed to help you pack if you are traveling abroad.

Ensure That You Are Not too Ostentatious

It is extremely important that you avoid packing showy items if you are planning to go to another country. Just by wearing showy items, you can end up becoming a target for bad elements in the strange country. In other words, you should stay away from loud things of clothes and accessories because everyone would be able to see that you are a tourist.

Instead, you should focus on ordinary items of clothing and understated jewelry. Even in terms of color, you should try to stick to dull and neutral shades. These include the blacks, the whites and the grays. The reason, as is obvious, is that they do not attract a lot of attention.

Ensure You Pack Lightly

Sticking to basic items of clothes and jewelry also has other advantages. Your luggage would be light because of these types of items. The reason for this is that these kinds of clothing and jewelry can be combined in multiple ways.

As a matter of fact, you should consciously make sure you choose items with numerous uses. Resultantly, these types of clothes and jewelry would mean more variety for less weight.

Pack Twice The Amount Of Personal Items

Specific needs vary from one individual to another. Personal items include things like spectacles, contact lenses and even medicines. Personal items cannot be left behind in any scenario. The most common mistake made by different individuals is that they just pack as much of these things as is required.

You should not make this mistake because misplacing these things will affect you badly on a trip. Therefore, you should carry two pairs of spectacles and contact lenses depending upon which one you use. With regard to medicines, it is good to pack twice the required dosage. In this way you can be relaxed on your trip.

Do Not Pack Too Much but Pack Just Enough

Even though this is common sense, a lot of individuals make mistakes with it as well. You should, ideally, just carry as much money as you think you will need. If you think you are going to need a lot of money then it is better to pack demand drafts and traveler’s checks as against hard, cold cash.

Too much money will make you a target for thieves while too little will limit you severely. It is advisable to use the hotel’s safety box if you just cannot avoid carrying a lot of cash.

There should be A lot of Copies of the Paperwork

Losing your passport overseas can be a nightmare. Hence, you should pack numerous copies of your passport. Keeping these copies in various locations would also help you significantly.

Tourism business management teams around the world are finding innovative ways to make their products more accessible, and some hotels have been working hard towards this goal.

The tourism business management team of one particular hotel, which has facilities in the Nordic countries as well as elsewhere in Europe, has a disability ambassador who walks with a cane and uses a service dog. When his company acquires a hotel, they provide staff with accessibility training, teaching them to:

• look for opportunities to offer guests with crutches or a cane a seat
• make eye contact with guests who use interpreters

One wonders whether the design features that make this hotel chain remarkable in the travel & tourism industry will one day be commonplace – on the curriculum in most tourism courses, common knowledge for any tourism business management team.

Accessible features that have become popular in some hotels include:

• elevators that can be used by people in wheelchairs in case of fire
• keyholes at wheelchair height
• breakfast buffet tables that are accessible from a wheelchair
• service dog welcome policy
• a holder for canes in the reception
• lowered reception desks to accommodates guests in wheelchairs
• hearing loops for the hearing impaired at the reception and in meeting rooms (this feature, which is indeed becoming more common in the travel & tourism industry, broadcasts sound through waves and coils rather than simply depending on aids to amplify sound)
• mirrors placed lower
• wheelchair accessible hooks to hang things on
• vibrating alarm clocks that also double as a fire alarm for the hearing impaired
• information available in Braille
• space around the bed for easier wheelchair navigation

The Nordic countries are not the only place taking action to make the travel & tourism industry more accessible:

• tourism business management teams in Africa are now hosting safaris specifically for people with disabilities
• the Barbados has accredited accessibility standards for travel & tourism facilities (including categories for wheelchair access, mobility challenge and the seeing impaired)
• travel & tourism professionals on the island of Alcatraz brought in non-polluting electric tug tractors from airports to help visitors with low mobility access the site in a dignified, energy-efficient manner
• the cruise ship market is catering to people with special needs (retrofitting, visual smoke detectors, accessibility brochures)
• many travel & tourism destinations publish disability guides (in large font) for visitors, highlighting accessible bathrooms, nearby parking, etc.

The ageing population is forcing the travel & tourism industry to rethink accessibility. And tourism business management teams from around the world seem to be rising to the challenge.

Visiting the cities of Cuenca, Guayaquil, and Quito is an excellent way to get a sense of Ecuador’s fascinating past and vibrant present, and also to see the country’s diverse and amazing landscapes.

Begin in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s most modern and populous city and its economic center. The city is set on the banks of the Guayas River, which leads to the Gulf of Guayaquil. Much of Guayaquil’s historic center was destroyed by fires or damaged in pirate attacks in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, some remainders of architecture from this era can be found in the neighborhood of Las Penas, which has been rehabilitated and restored by artists who live here and also have studios and art galleries. Don’t miss the Malecon, a river boardwalk which functions as the social center of Guayaquil, and where you will find shopping, restaurants, and gardens in which to relax and enjoy the tropical sun. Guayaquil also has some of the best cuisine in the country with typical dishes that take advantage of local products.

Next is Cuenca – an excellent contrast to Guayaquil – which has one of the most well-preserved historical centers, streets paved with cobblestone, and filled with colonial and republican-era churches, government buildings, and elegant casonas. A little known fact – Cuenca is the primary producer of the iconic Panama hat, and this is the place to buy one. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the nearby Cajas National Park for some adventure exploration through a truly lovely landscape.

Finally, Quito, the capital of Ecuador, will impress you with the majestic landscape of volcanoes that surround the city. Like Cuenca, Quito has an impressive historical center with some of the most exquisite buildings in the country. From Quito, the equator, known as La Mitad del Mundo is a short 45 minute ride away.

A tour of these cities can be an excellent complement to a Galapagos Islands tour or to a Machu Picchu vacation.

First and foremost a tourist visa does not exist for Saudi Arabia. Let me say this again, there are no tourist visas for any visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Many people would like to visit the Kingdom as a tourist, but currently this cannot happen.

The most common visa gleaned from Saudi Arabia is a business visa. This entitles the individual to travel to Saudi Arabia to consult and conduct business on behalf of his/her company. Generally, the client in Saudi Arabia, also known as a host, will meet with the client to discuss joint business ventures. This is a relatively simple, straight forward visa to apply for. The host in Saudi Arabia will ask the client for a scan of his/her passport and will then proceed to apply for an invitation letter. This is accomplished by submitting the scan to the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once the Ministry has approved the invitation, it will be reverted back to the host company. They will in turn stamp the invitation with their company seal. Once all these steps have been completed, the invitation letter will be made available to the client. The client will then need to contact a registered agent to facilitate the stamping of the visa at the Embassy.

Instead of a business visa, your host company in Saudi Arabia may offer you a visiting work visa. Quintessentially this is same as a business visa, but instead of just meeting with your host contact in Saudi Arabia, you will perform special tasks while in the country. You will still be paid by your direct employer and will not receive any compensation directly from the Saudi host.

A government visa will be issued to those who are meeting directly with Saudi Arabian government employees. This is a gratis visa and the invitation letter will list that you are authorized for a government visa. This visa is arranged the same way as a business visa.

A family visit visa is a visa which allows an individual to travel to Saudi Arabia to see as you can imagine a family member! This can be a wife, husband, brother, sister, cousin, aunt, uncle, or whoever is related to you as long as they can prove the relation. This can be established through a marriage decree, birth certificate, family tree, or any other official document. Once the familial chain has been established a family visit will be granted. The family member in Saudi Arabia will have to appear in person at the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They will furnish a copy of the guest’s passport and apply for a familial invitation. The family member who applied for the invitation letter will now become the sponsor for the intended guest. A familial invite will be provided and this in turn will be sent to the guest. They will need to show this at the Embassy in order to apply for the visa. Generally, a family visa will be a single entry visa, valid for 30 days. If you intend to stay longer than 30 days, it is imperative that you inform your host about the length of stay you require.

A residence visa will be needed if you intend to live or relocate to Saudi Arabia. This is probably one of the most uncommon visas as not many individuals are invited to live in Saudi Arabia for a length of time. This is a special invitation which will come from the Ministry of Interior and is usually associated with work or those relocating to be with ones who work in Saudi Arabia. Many call the invitation the long yellow form, as it will always be yellow and is twice as long as a normal piece of paper. This invitation will allow the individual to travel to Saudi Arabia and once you enter the E gate immigration, you will be given an Iqama card. This card serves as your identification in Saudi Arabia and shows that you are a valid resident. It is recommended to keep this card on your person at all times.

By far the most difficult and complicated visa for Saudi Arabia is a work visa. This visa is presented to those who have been offered a work contract with a Saudi company. This is entirely different then a business visa, as a work visa means you will be paid directly by a Saudi firm. Getting a work visa is very lengthy process and will start with an individual having an interview with a Saudi recruiting firm, who will then refer your resume to a Saudi company. If the company deems the candidate suitable for their needs, they will furnish an employment contract. Once the employment contract has been accepted, the company in Saudi will provide the candidate with a visa block invitation letter, which will have the job title, type of passport held, and the corresponding visa number. Once the invitation letter has been received, the candidate will now need to complete the rest of the steps to apply for a Saudi visa. This will include a comprehensive medical exam, a police report, gathering the necessary certifications/degrees, and many other pertinent documents.

You can be offered a temporary work visa instead of an actual work visa. This is very similar to a work visa, but your contract is limited and will generally expire in 3-6 months. A temporary work visa will require an invitation letter from Saudi Arabia authorizing you for this visa. Once the contract has expired, you will return back to your host country.

Saudi Arabia offers two types of religious visas. Hajj and Umrah visas are available at their respective times throughout the year. There is no invitation associated with this type of visa, but only those who adhere to the Muslim faith may apply. In certain instances the Consulate may ask to see a copy of your Islamic decree from you local mosque. These visas can be obtained either by themselves or with an all inclusive package, which will have hotels, airline tickets, and transportation.

There are many types of visas categories for Saudi Arabia and it is important to consult with your host to make sure all of your demands are met. Equally it is as important to work with a registered visa agent of the Embassy and to make sure such agent understands the visa process.