What is the Saudi tourist eVisa?
Quick answer: The Saudi Arabia tourist eVisa is an online visa - no embassy visits or paperwork queues. It is open to citizens of 66 eligible countries, and conditionally to GCC residents and holders of a valid US, UK or Schengen tourist/business visa or residence permit. It covers tourism, family visits and Umrah excluding Hajj, stays valid for 12 months with multiple entries and stays of up to 90 days, mandatory travel insurance is selected during the application, and the approved PDF usually arrives by email within about 3 business days.
The Saudi Arabia eVisa is an electronic tourist visa - the digital alternative to embassy visits, providing a faster and more convenient application. The electronic visa allows traveling to Saudi Arabia for tourism, family visits or Umrah (outside of Hajj season); no job duties are possible on a Saudi eVisa.
Eligibility is passport-specific. The eVisa platform lists 66 eligible countries - and citizens of non-listed countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Nepal may still qualify for a conditional Saudi eVisa if they hold a valid (and previously used) US, UK or Schengen tourism or business visa, permanent residency in the UK, US or any EU member state, or a GCC residence permit valid for at least 3 months. See our full eligibility guide and requirements checklist.
Some travelers need no visa at all: citizens of GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE) and legal residents of Saudi Arabia can enter without a Saudi visa. And remember the boundaries - paid work is not permitted and studying is excluded from the tourist route.
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Saudi Arabia visa pathways & travel purposes
Pick the route that matches your journey. Eligibility, validity, entry conditions, fees and supporting documents vary by nationality and purpose - each card opens the guide you need first.
Tourist eVisa
One-year multiple-entry route covering leisure, events and family visits, with up to 90 days in the country.
Permitted Umrah travel
Umrah is permitted under the tourist eVisa; Hajj is excluded. Seasonal and religious rules must be confirmed first.
Events & experiences
International events, museums, concerts and festivals, plus family and relatives visits on the tourist route.
Other visa routes
Business, employment and study use separate routes. Never describe work or study as tourism on a tourist application.
The tourist route covers tourism activities, events, family and relatives visits, leisure and Umrah excluding Hajj; studying and other activities are excluded. Issued documents always control what you can do and how long you can stay.
Saudi tourist eVisa requirements
These are the conditions and documents applicants must meet under the published visa terms - before payment and again at the border.
Before you apply
Application conditions- Valid passport with 6 months validity from the planned date of arrival in the Kingdom
- Formal applicant photo taken within the last 6 months
- A supporting document depending on nationality - a US, UK or Schengen residence permit, a valid tourism/business visa from those regions, or a GCC residence permit
- True and accurate information - false or misleading details may be rejected
- A mandatory travel insurance plan, selected during the application, plus a valid email address for the eVisa attachment
At the border
Entry conditions- Arrive with the same passport you used in the application
- Carry a copy of the eVisa on first arrival - the granted visa arrives as an email attachment
- Provide biometric details when required at entry
- Entry is not guaranteed - it remains subject to border conditions and an Immigration Officer
Approval is not guaranteed by payment. The published visa terms say payment of an application fee does not guarantee approval, and holding an eVisa does not guarantee entry. Do not book a trip assuming approval.
Common Saudi eVisa rejection reasons
Avoid the mistakes that most often cause a denial before you submit.
Incorrect or inconsistent details
Passport data mistakes and mismatched form fields are the most common reason - review every field twice.
Insufficient passport validity
A passport expiring earlier than 6 months from the planned arrival date will fail - renew it before applying.
Criminal convictions & security risks
Suspected security risks or relevant records can disqualify an application outright.
Previous overstays or visa violations
A history of overstays or rule violations in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere can trigger rejection.
How to apply: the three-step online flow
The eVisa platform presents the application as three simple steps. Keep every confirmation - a submitted application cannot be canceled or refunded.
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1
Fill Out the Form
Enter your travel, passport and personal details exactly as they appear in your documents - inconsistent passport data is the leading cause of rejection.
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2
Submit the Documentation
Upload a passport copy valid 6 months from arrival, a formal photo taken within 6 months, and the supporting document your nationality requires (US/UK/Schengen visa or residence, or GCC residence permit).
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3
Add Insurance & Pay the Fee
Insurance is a mandatory condition for entering the Kingdom - choose a plan during the application, then pay by one of the available online methods. The price is shown before you confirm, and a submitted application cannot be canceled or refunded.
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4
Receive the eVisa PDF by Email
Processing usually takes about 3 business days, plus additional time for the expert check. Print a paper copy of the PDF and present it to immigration officers on arrival.
Application flow: the eVisa platform describes the application as fill the application, pay the visa fee and get the online visa - insurance selection and document upload are part of the same online flow. Apply in advance of your trip so routine delays don't affect your travel dates.
Sample Image of the Saudi tourist eVisa
Review a sample specimen of the eVisa. Tap or click to zoom, and drag to inspect details. It also shows the details you will need to provide in the form.
Saudi eVisa fees, payment & refunds
The published visa terms do not publish a universal fee - the price is displayed on the portal and at the time of payment and may be amended. Here is exactly what the terms promise.
Processing time note: the eVisa is usually processed within about 3 business days, with additional time for the expert application check - the mandatory insurance plan is selected during the application before you pay.
| Route | Published amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist eVisa | USD 80 + USD 10.50 + USD 10.50 + insurance | One-year, multiple-entry — the checkout total is the exact figure |
| ETA (UK passports) | SAR 50 | Live since 1 July 2026; no insurance requirement |
| Package visa | SAR 402.21 incl. insurance | Single entry; via approved agents with a hotel + flight package |
| 96h stopover | Free visa (~SAR 39.50 fee reported) | Saudia & flynas stopover programmes, added at booking |
Verified against published visa-authority listings 31 October 2026 · the amount displayed at payment is always the authoritative one.
What this means for you
- Review the live fee before confirming payment - do not rely on figures quoted elsewhere.
- Check every application detail before paying - a submitted application cannot be canceled or refunded.
- Unsuccessful applications are not entitled to a refund - payment never guarantees approval.
- Keep the invoice and issued eVisa attachment together in your travel file.
Who Can Apply for the Saudi Arabia eVisa?
The Saudi Arabia eVisa is available to citizens of certain eligible countries. Additionally, a visitor may apply online if they are a US, UK or Schengen resident, a holder of a valid US, UK or Schengen tourism or business visa, or a GCC resident. Citizens of GCC countries do not need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia at all.
Route 1 - Direct eligibility
Your passport is on the current eligible-country list of 66 eligible countries below. You can apply for the tourist eVisa straight away - the passport you apply with decides everything, not your country of residence.
Route 2 - Conditional eligibility
Not on the list? You may still qualify if you hold a valid tourist or business visa from the US, UK or a Schengen country that you have previously used to enter, or permanent residency in the UK, US or any EU member state.
Route 3 - GCC residents
A residence permit in a GCC country (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE) valid for at least 3 months opens the conditional eVisa route. GCC citizens themselves are visa-exempt, as are legal residents of Saudi Arabia.
List of eligible countries - Saudi Arabia eVisa
Direct routeThe list spans Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Oceania. Confirm the current country list on the live source before applying - the portal maintains the list and directs applicants whose country is unlisted to the nearest Saudi Arabia Embassy.
Conditional eligibility - unlisted passports
Documents open the door- A valid tourist or business visa from the UK, US or a Schengen country that you have already used to enter the issuing country
- A permanent residence permit from the UK, US or any EU member state
- A residence permit in a GCC country valid for at least 3 months (US/UK/Schengen residency permits also qualify)
View the full conditional-eligibility country list (100+ nationalities)
British Overseas Territories Citizens, British National Overseas and British Overseas Citizens also travel on the conditional route. Remember: a Saudi visa is not required for legal residents of Saudi Arabia or for GCC member-country citizens.
Saudi Arabia Visa Guides
Open the guide written for your question. Each guide covers rules, documents and application details specific to that route or situation.
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Our specialists review your passport data, flag avoidable errors before submission and keep your application consistent with the published visa terms - so you can submit with confidence.
Saudi Arabia eVisa FAQs
Quick answers to the questions travelers ask most before they apply.
Do I need a Saudi tourist eVisa?
Citizens of 66 eligible countries can apply online directly. Not on the list? Travelers from unlisted countries - including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh - can still qualify for a conditional Saudi eVisa with a valid (and previously used) US, UK or Schengen tourism/business visa, UK/US/EU permanent residency, or a GCC residence permit valid 3+ months. GCC citizens and legal residents of Saudi Arabia need no visa at all. See our Saudi tourist eVisa eligibility guide.
How long is the Saudi tourist eVisa valid, and how long can I stay?
The published visa terms state the eVisa is valid for one year from the date of issuance and is valid for multiple entries unless the specific eVisa states otherwise. Stay cannot exceed 90 days (3 months) in total. The published visa terms say the eVisa cannot be extended - some guidance mentions extensions available online or via other channels, so it is best to contact the embassy for confirmation. If the eVisa expires before entry, you must apply again and pay another fee.
How much passport validity do I need?
The application will not be successful unless the passport has at least six months remaining from the date of entry to Saudi Arabia. You must also arrive with the same passport used in the application.
What are the steps to apply for the Saudi tourist eVisa?
The application has four stages: fill the form with travel, passport and personal details, submit the required documentation, add the mandatory insurance plan, and pay the fee by an available online method. The eVisa platform summarises the same flow as three steps: fill the application, pay the visa fee and get the online visa. The approved PDF arrives by email - print a paper copy to present at immigration.
Can I get a refund after submitting?
No. The published visa terms say a submitted application cannot be canceled or refunded, and unsuccessful applications are not entitled to a refund. Payment also never guarantees approval, so check every detail before paying.
Does the eVisa guarantee entry into Saudi Arabia?
No. Holding an eVisa does not guarantee entry - entry remains subject to border conditions and the discretion of an Immigration Officer. Arrive with the same passport, carry an eVisa copy on first arrival and provide biometric details when required.
Can I perform Umrah or Hajj on a tourist eVisa?
Umrah is permitted; Hajj is excluded from the tourist route. The terms also contain season-specific restrictions on visit-visa holders entering or staying in Makkah during the Hajj season, and non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the Holy Mosque in Makkah or the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. Check the current Hajj-season notice, because dates and operational rules can change. See our Umrah guide.
Can I work or study on the Saudi tourist eVisa?
No. The published visa terms say the tourist eVisa is not a visa for work and studying is excluded from the tourist route. Business, employment, study and medical treatment should use the relevant Saudi service, authority or mission instead.
Can someone apply on my behalf, or for my child?
The terms state that a person must be at least 18 to use the service. An adult using the service on behalf of a minor must accept the terms for the minor and represent that they have authority. A person applying for another adult must also be entitled to do so.
Is there a separate transit option for a short stop in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The Saudi National Portal describes a Ministry of Foreign Affairs electronic transit-visa service through the Enjaz E-Service Visa Platform, available to applicants of any nationality, listing 48-hour and 96-hour periods. It is separate from the tourist eVisa - our transit visa guide explains the difference.
Do GCC citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
No. Citizens of GCC countries - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates - do not need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, and legal residents of Saudi Arabia are also exempt. GCC residents who are not GCC citizens can use the conditional eVisa route with a residence permit valid for at least 3 months.
How long does the Saudi eVisa take to process?
Processing typically lasts about 3 business days, and the approved PDF arrives by email. Our specialists take additional time to check the application before it is submitted to the authorities, so it is highly recommended to apply in advance of the trip to receive the document on time even in case of delays.
Is travel insurance mandatory for the Saudi eVisa?
Yes. Insurance is a mandatory condition for entering the Kingdom - applicants select an insurance plan during the online application before payment. The plan and fee are part of the same submission.
Why would a Saudi eVisa be rejected?
The most common reasons are incorrect or inconsistent details (especially passport data), a passport expiring earlier than 6 months from the planned arrival, criminal convictions or suspected security risks, and previous overstays or visa-rule violations. Remember that a submitted application cannot be canceled or refunded - check everything before paying. Our requirements guide shows how to avoid these mistakes.
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