Maybe someone has been in a similiar situitation. Family is traveling through Riyadh on Pakistani passports. Layover is 15 hours but there is no hotel at the airport and they cannot leave since they do not have Visas. I have heard about a transit visa issued for 48 hours only, does anyone have experience with this or have any other suggestions? Thank you.
My father had to transit thorugh Saudi back in 2000. He applied for a transit visa at the Saudi embassy and I think it took 2--3 days to get it. If I remember correctly the airline has to send a telex to the embassy and to you about the layover and then you take your copy of the telex to the visa people and show it to them and then those lazy bums if they feel like it they will give you the visa. My advice would be to avoid Saudi especially for transit if you can...they are terrible, UAE or other gulf countries would be better.
^ you are right. talex alongwith faxed copy of ticket would do the trick.
My advice,
Avoid Saudi Arabian transit if possible. It really can be horrible.