Saudi Arabia Government Scholarship 2026-27
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education scholarship offering 700 seats across 25 universities under a Pakistan-Saudi bilateral quota. Fully funded tiers at top universities cover 100% tuition, monthly stipend (850-1,500 SAR), free dormitory accommodation, health insurance, and annual return flights. Open for Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs across Medicine, Engineering, Sciences, Business, and all major fields.
Quick Facts
Status
Applications OpenFunding
Full / PartialDeadline
Round 1: May 21, 2026 (Bachelor's & Master's/PhD) | Round 2: September 2026
Country
Saudi ArabiaAbout the Saudi Arabia Government Scholarship 2026-27
The Saudi Arabia Government Scholarship is administered by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education under the study portal studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa. Under the Pakistan-Saudi bilateral educational cooperation framework, 700 scholarship seats are allocated annually across 25 participating Saudi universities - 75% reserved for applicants based in Pakistan and 25% for Pakistani nationals residing in Saudi Arabia as expatriates. This bilateral arrangement is one of the largest country-specific scholarship allocations in the region and reflects the deep educational and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Funding is structured in tiers based on the university. Fully funded universities - including King Saud University (KSU), King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Islamic University of Madinah, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) - provide a complete package: 100% tuition waiver, monthly stipend of 850-1,500 SAR (approximately USD 225-400 depending on degree level), free hostel accommodation, comprehensive health insurance and medical care, annual round-trip flight tickets, and coverage for books and study materials. Partially funded universities cover only selected components. Self-funded options at additional institutions provide enrollment access but limited financial support.
The program spans virtually all major academic fields. Medicine (MBBS), Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and allied health sciences are among the most accessible and sought-after programs. Saudi medical universities - particularly King Saud University and King Abdulaziz University - operate world-class hospital facilities that provide clinical training of the highest standard. For postgraduate study, KAUST (ranked among the world's top research universities for engineering and sciences) and KFUPM offer exceptional Master's and PhD programs in Engineering, Computer Science, and Petroleum Engineering. Business, Islamic Studies, Social Sciences, and Education programs are available across multiple universities.
The 2026-27 application cycle has two rounds: Round 1 closes May 21, 2026 (for both Bachelor's and Master's/PhD levels), and Round 2 opens in September 2026. A Police Clearance Certificate became mandatory for the 2026 cycle and must be obtained before application submission. Importantly, no Arabic translation of academic certificates or mark sheets is required for the 2026 cycle - documents can be submitted in English or their original language.
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 national transformation program has driven substantial investment in higher education quality, research infrastructure, and international faculty recruitment. Saudi public universities have risen significantly in global rankings over the past decade. For students in medicine and engineering in particular, studying in Saudi Arabia provides access to some of the most well-resourced academic and clinical environments in the developing world. The large, well-established Pakistani student and expatriate community across Saudi cities provides a ready-made support network for new arrivals.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
700 seats with generous bilateral quota
one of the largest country-specific scholarship allocations globally, with two application rounds per year
MBBS available at multiple Saudi universities, including world-class facilities at King Saud University and King Abdulaziz University
Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country
applicants who prioritize halal food, prayer facilities, and an Islamic social environment will find Saudi campuses deeply accommodating
Annual return flight tickets included in the fully funded package
ensures scholars can return home each year at no cost
KAUST is ranked among the world's top 100 universities for engineering and sciences - offering a genuinely world-class postgraduate research environment
No document translation requirement for 2026
the application process is simpler and more accessible than many comparable scholarships
Two application rounds (May and September) provide a second opportunity for applicants who miss the first deadline
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 investments have dramatically upgraded university facilities, faculty, and research infrastructure across all major institutions
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the Arab world's largest economy and is undergoing one of the most ambitious national transformation programs in history under Vision 2030. Higher education investment has been a centerpiece of this transformation: Saudi universities have added thousands of international faculty members, built state-of-the-art research labs, and partnered with leading global institutions. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is now ranked among the world's top research institutions for engineering, computer science, and environmental sciences. King Saud University and King Abdulaziz University offer internationally accredited programs across medicine, engineering, and sciences recognized by WHO and other global bodies. Major university cities - Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Dammam, and Dhahran - offer modern, well-serviced campuses in a country with zero income tax, very low cost of living, and a strong, stable social environment. For students in medicine and engineering, Saudi Arabia's clinical and industrial infrastructure provides training exposure that is exceptionally difficult to match at this cost level anywhere else in the world.
Eligibility Requirements
6 requirements
Documents Checklist
6 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Step 1 - Create account: Go to studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa. Enter full name (as per passport), nationality, date of birth, passport number. Verify via email/SMS.
Step 2 - Complete profile: Add educational background (FSC/A-Levels), passport details, contact info.
Step 3 - Start application: Choose degree level (Bachelor's / Master's / PhD) and select scholarship type 'Fully Funded'. Select 5-7 universities and programs (up to 25 allowed).
Step 4 - Upload documents: Use scanned PDFs only (not phone photos). Ensure all documents are clear and readable.
Step 5 - Submit: Review every section. Submit and save your Application ID. Check email daily for updates.
Step 6 - After acceptance: Upload acceptance letter to portal, receive Visa Authorization Number, visit nearest Etimad Center for visa processing (7-15 business days). Register at https://etimad.sa/
Application Timeline
Mid-May 2025
Portal Opens
May 21, 2026
Round 1 Deadline (Bachelor's & Master's/PhD)
May-August 2026
University Reviews
June-September 2026
Acceptance Notifications
August-September 2026
Visa Processing
7-15 business days via Etimad only
September 2026
Classes Start
September 2026
Round 2 Deadline (Bachelor's & Master's/PhD)
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Select 6-7 universities in your application, mixing fully funded and partially funded tiers - you can apply to up to 25, and more selections mean more opportunities for acceptance
Prioritize fully funded universities (KSU, KAU, Islamic University of Madinah, KFUPM, KAUST) - these provide the complete package with tuition, stipend, accommodation, insurance, and flights
Submit your application at least 2-3 weeks before the May 21 deadline - last-minute portal congestion and technical issues are common at major scholarship portals
Upload only professionally scanned PDFs - documents photographed on a phone are frequently rejected for poor legibility
Obtain your Police Clearance Certificate well in advance - it is a mandatory 2026 requirement and processing at local authorities typically takes 3-7 days
MBBS strategy: apply to KSU + KAU + Islamic University of Madinah + Umm Al-Qura simultaneously to maximize acceptance probability
Verify that your chosen medical university appears on your home country's licensing authority recognition list before selecting it as a program preference
Important Links & Contacts
▶️ Video Guide
Video Guide: How to Apply for Saudi Government Scholarship
🔗 Official Links
Saudi Government Scholarship Portal: Primary application portal for the Saudi Government Scholarship for international students. Create an account, complete the form, and upload all required documents here.
HEC Pakistan Scholarship Portal: For Pakistani applicants - Pakistan has a bilateral quota with Saudi Arabia. Apply via HEC for nomination, then complete the Saudi portal application.
For Pakistani Students
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan (Islamabad)
📍 Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 4, Islamabad
📞 +92-51-9216800
🌐 mofa.gov.sa/ar/missions/EmbassyIslamabad →For Saudi student visa enquiries, scholarship coordination, and visa documentation. The Cultural Attaché section handles scholarship applications for Pakistan.
Pakistani Consulate in Jeddah
📍 Al Sharafiya District, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
📞 +966-12-6824250
🌐 mofa.gov.pk/saudi-arabia/ →Consular services for Pakistani students in the Western Province (Jeddah/Madinah).
Embassy of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)
📍 Pakistani House, Batha, Riyadh 11442
📞 +966-11-4880830
🌐 mofa.gov.pk/saudi-arabia/ →Consular services for Pakistani students in Riyadh and surrounding regions.
Students from Other Countries
The Saudi Government Scholarship has bilateral quotas for many countries. Contact the Saudi Embassy in your home country for your country's quota, application timeline, and nomination procedure.
Find Saudi Arabia Embassies Worldwide →Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions - click any to expand
The stipend ranges from 850 to 1,500 SAR per month depending on the degree level - approximately USD 200-250 for Bachelor's, USD 300 for Master's, and USD 400 for PhD. This applies to fully funded universities only.
High-priority and accessible programs include MBBS/Medicine, Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Petroleum), Computer Science & IT, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Islamic Studies. Applying to 6-7 universities with the same program significantly improves your chances.
Yes. Police Clearance Certificate is mandatory for the 2026 cycle. Apply at your nearest Police Khidmat Markaz (Punjab) or local police station. You'll need your CNIC, passport, and an application form. Processing typically takes 3-7 days and costs under PKR 500.
No. Translation of FSC certificates and mark sheets is NOT required for the 2026 cycle. Submit documents in their original format.
Fully funded universities (KSU, KAU, Islamic Univ of Madinah, KFUPM, KAUST) cover tuition, stipend, accommodation, health insurance, and flights. Partially funded (PSU, Al Faisal, King Faisal, Taibah, Imam Abdulrahman) cover only some of these. Self-funded options (Umm Al-Qura, Qassim, Jazan, King Khalid) require you to cover most expenses yourself.
Yes. A Round 2 deadline opens in September 2026 for both Bachelor's and Master's/PhD programs. Applying in Round 1 is strongly preferred as it gives more time for university review and a statistically better chance of selection before seats fill.
Not necessarily. Many programs - including MBBS, Engineering, Computer Science, and Business - are offered in English at major Saudi universities like King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, and KFUPM. For programs taught in Arabic, some universities require an Arabic language test or offer a preparatory Arabic language year. Confirm the medium of instruction for your specific program on the studyinsaudi portal before selecting it.
After receiving an acceptance letter, you must upload it to the studyinsaudi portal. The university will then issue a Visa Authorization Number. Take this number to the nearest Etimad Center (not the embassy or visa office) within the specified window. Eta centers are located in major Pakistani cities. Processing typically takes 7-15 business days. Register your Etimad account at etimad.sa before visiting. Do not use any other channel - Saudi student visas for scholarship holders must be processed through Etimad only.
Students on the Saudi government scholarship are on a student visa, not a family residence visa. Bringing family members to Saudi Arabia on a student visa is not normally permitted. Students who wish to have family nearby must explore separate family residence visa arrangements, which have different conditions and fall entirely outside the scope of the scholarship program.
Ready to Apply?
Head to the official portal and start your application today.
Apply on Official Website →Accuracy notice: Information on this page was verified as of May 2026. Scholarship details - including deadlines, eligibility criteria, and required documents - can change without notice. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official website before submitting your application.
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