Study in Saudi: how to use the application portal

Saudi Arabia has emerged as an increasingly attractive option for international students seeking high-quality education, full scholarships and cultural immersion in the Middle East. 

To simplify the application process for foreign students, the Saudi Ministry of Education has launched the Study in Saudi portal, a centralised online system that handles university applications, scholarship management and visa facilitation for all international student programmes in the Kingdom. 

The Study in Saudi portal

The Study in Saudi portal is the official government-managed platform through which international students can: 

• Browse more than 50 public and private universities in Saudi Arabia
• Apply for undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma or language programmes
• Submit a single application for three to five universities simultaneously
• Apply for fully funded, partially funded or self-funded study programmes
• Track and manage the education visa process online. 

The portal supports multiple languages, including English, Arabic, French, Turkish, Chinese and Urdu. 

Students should start their application early because processing and selection can take several months. Ensure all documents are officially translated into Arabic where required. Students should regularly log in to the portal to track updates and respond to any university queries. They should also keep copies of all submitted documents for future reference. 

Submission deadlines

Students in Saudi Arabia

Undergraduate: from mid-June to end of July 

Postgraduate: from the beginning of May to mid-June 

Students outside Saudi Arabia 

Undergraduate: from the beginning of May to the middle of June

Postgraduate: from the beginning of May to the end of October 

How to apply

Step 1: Registration

Visit the Study in Saudi portal. Select the “Create account” option. 

Provide personal details: full name, nationality, date of birth, passport information, email and phone number. 

Verify the account via email or SMS code. 

Step 2: Complete profile 

Before applying to universities, students must complete their online profile with their personal information, educational background, passport details and contact information. 

Step 3: Start a new application

Once the profile is complete, students should choose their desired degree level (such as bachelor’s or master’s). Select the type of scholarship desired: fully funded, partially funded or self-funded. Then choose three to five preferred universities or degree programmes. 

Step 4: Submit documents

Students must upload scanned colour copies of the following documents: 

• Passport: valid for at least six months
• Academic certificates: high school diploma for undergraduates
• Academic transcripts: these need to be certified and, in many cases, translated into Arabic
• Medical report: this should show no infectious diseases
• Birth certificate: this is required by many universities
• Passport-size photos, conforming to Saudi visa photo guidelines
• Letters of recommendation: explaining study goals and reasons for choosing Saudi Arabia
• Language test results: Arabic or English proficiency (if required)
• Optional documents: may include CV and work experience letters. 

Step 5: submission and tracking

After submitting their application, students can track its status on the portal dashboard. Universities will review applications and communicate decisions via the portal. 

Scholarship and funding opportunities 

Students can apply for three main funding types through the Study in Saudi portal.

Fully funded scholarships: full tuition fees, monthly stipend (about $800 to $1,000 USD), free accommodation, health insurance, annual round-trip airfare and settlement allowance 

Partially funded scholarships: reduced tuition fee and limited financial support 

Self-funded: no financial support; student covers all expenses. 

Selection criteria for scholarships

• Academic excellence
• Language proficiency
• Health and age eligibility (generally 16+ years old)
• Strong motivation and relevant background for chosen field 

Some universities may have additional internal scholarships, awarded on academic merit or according to nationality. 

Visa guidance

After receiving an official acceptance letter from a Saudi university, students must apply for a D1 (education) visa, directly linked to the Study in Saudi system. 

Step 1: log in to the Study in Saudi portal and access the visa section. 

Step 2: Submit required visa documents – valid passport; university acceptance letter issued through the portal; medical certificate, including blood tests and chest x-ray; and proof of financial capability if self-funded. Also submit passport-sized photos, as per Saudi visa guidelines.

Step 3: The portal will automatically forward the visa request to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once approved, students will receive a visa authorisation number. 

Step 4: Students must then visit the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate to submit fingerprints and finalise visa stamping.

Visa processing time is typically seven to 15 business days but can vary depending on country of residence. 

Arrival and post-arrival requirements

Most Saudi universities offer airport pick-up services and accommodation support for new international students. Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, students must attend university orientation programmes and complete residence registration (Iqama issuance). 

Students must arrange local health insurance (usually provided by the university for scholarship students). 

They should also familiarise themselves with local laws and cultural norms.