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Visa & Entry

Saudi Arabia Visa Types

Saudi Arabia opened for tourism in 2019. Today, most nationalities can obtain a visa online in minutes. Choose the visa type that fits your travel purpose and nationality.

Tourist e-Visa

Who
60+ nationalities — apply online
Cost
SAR 535 (~$142 USD) — includes travel insurance
Validity
12 months, multiple entry, 90 days per stay
Process
Instant in most cases; max 72 hours

Visa on Arrival

Who
GCC residents & select nationalities
Cost
SAR 300 (~$80 USD)
Validity
90 days, single entry
Process
On arrival at all international airports. Return ticket and hotel confirmation required.

Hajj / Umrah Visa

Who
Muslim visitors only
Cost
Umrah: often free via Nusuk app (2024). Hajj: varies by country/operator.
Validity
Umrah: year-round. Hajj: annual quota-limited season.
Process
Umrah: instant via Nusuk app or approved operators. Hajj: apply through Saudi Embassy in home country.

Transit Visa

Who
Stopover passengers (select nationalities)
Cost
Free — 96-hour transit
Validity
96 hours from arrival
Process
Apply on arrival at King Abdulaziz (Jeddah), King Khalid (Riyadh), or King Fahd (Dammam) airports.

Visa & Entry

Nationalities & Eligibility

Eligibility rules change periodically. Always verify your specific situation at the official Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal (visa.mofa.gov.sa) before booking travel.

Full e-Visa (instant online)

USA, UK, all EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and 56+ others

Visa-free entry

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE nationals — no visa required at all

Visa on arrival (GCC residents)

Any nationality holding a valid GCC residency permit (iqama) from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar or UAE

Visa on arrival / e-Visa (conditions apply)

China, Russia, India — eligible subject to specific conditions. Verify at visa.mofa.gov.sa before travel.

Embassy visa required

Nationalities not covered above must apply at the Saudi Embassy or consulate in their home country

Step by Step

How to Apply for a Saudi e-Visa

The Saudi tourist e-Visa is one of the simplest to obtain. Most applicants complete the process in under 15 minutes and receive their visa within hours.

1

Visit the official portal

Go to visa.visitsaudi.com or the Saudi eVisa portal. Avoid third-party sites which may charge extra fees.

2

Enter your details

Input your passport details, travel dates, and accommodation information. Upload a passport photo (white background, full face, no glasses).

3

Pay the $135 fee

Pay by Visa or Mastercard credit/debit card. The fee includes mandatory travel insurance. American Express is not always accepted.

4

Receive your e-Visa

Your e-Visa arrives by email. Save it to your phone or print it. No separate passport stamp is needed — border agents scan your passport barcode on arrival.

Avoid These Mistakes

Common Visa Rejection Reasons

Most Saudi e-Visa rejections are avoidable. Check these common pitfalls before you apply.

  • Passport validity less than 6 months from your travel date
  • Passport photo not meeting specs (white background required; full face, no glasses, no dark shadows)
  • Previous Saudi visa violation (overstay, restriction breach) on record
  • Criminal record detected via Interpol database check
  • Inconsistent application data vs. passport information (names, dates of birth)
  • Payment failure — try a different card or clear your browser cache and retry

trust.sourcesReferences

  1. [1]
    Saudi eVisa Portal — Saudi Tourism Authority (trust.accessed Mar 1, 2026)
  2. [2]
    Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Ministry of Foreign Affairs (trust.accessed Mar 1, 2026)
  3. [3]
    Saudi Tourism Authority — Saudi Tourism Authority (trust.accessed Mar 1, 2026)
  4. [4]
    Nusuk Platform — Nusuk (trust.accessed Mar 1, 2026)

Saudi Arabia Visa — FAQs

Answers to the most common questions about Saudi tourist visas, e-Visas, and entry requirements.

Updated: 2026-03
8 questions

Apply online at visa.visitsaudi.com. You will need a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity), a passport-quality photo with a white background, a return flight confirmation, and a credit or debit card for payment. The process takes around 10 minutes and the visa is typically issued instantly or within 72 hours.
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trust.lastUpdated April 13, 2026
Explore Saudi Editorial Team

Explore Saudi Editorial Team

Our editorial team combines local expertise with rigorous fact-checking to deliver trusted travel guidance for Saudi Arabia.