Written and reviewed by the VistoRoute visa research team · Facts last verified November 2026 · VistoRoute is a private visa assistance company and is not affiliated with any visa authority.
Eligibility is based on the passport country — not your residence
The eVisa platform states that citizens of 66 eligible countries can apply for the tourist eVisa and publishes the current list on its site. The list spans Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Oceania. If a country is not listed, the portal directs the applicant to the nearest Saudi Arabia Embassy for a consular visa instead.
Direct citizenship is not the only way in. A second tier of conditional eligibility opens the eVisa to travelers holding valid US, UK or Schengen visit visas — including first-degree relatives travelling with them — and to US, EU or UK permanent residents, who can use visa on arrival. GCC residents with a residency permit valid for at least three months have their own eVisa route with separate pricing. All of these were verified against published guidance on 31 October 2026.
Every route to Saudi Arabia — matched to your documents
| Route | Who qualifies | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Direct eVisa | Citizens of the 66 eligible countries | Tourist eVisa — one year, multiple entry, apply fully online |
| Conditional eVisa / visa on arrival | Holders of a valid US, UK or Schengen visit visa — including first-degree relatives travelling with them | eVisa or visa on arrival, per published guidance |
| Permanent residents | US, EU or UK permanent residents | Visa on arrival |
| GCC residents | Residency permit valid for at least three months | eVisa with GCC-resident pricing shown at application |
| Package route | Nationalities not on the eVisa list (reported for several Asian and African countries) | Single-entry package visa booked with a hotel-and-flight package via approved agents |
| Not eligible online | Countries not listed anywhere above | Consular visa via the nearest Saudi Arabia Embassy |
Per the eVisa platform's published list and travel guidance — verified 31 October 2026. Lists change; confirm the live result for your exact passport before payment.
The three eligibility mistakes that waste application fees
Checking residence instead of nationality. Living in London or New York does not make a traveler eligible — the passport does. A resident of an eligible country with an unlisted passport follows the embassy or package route, not the eVisa. The reverse also matters: a UK citizen living in India checks the UK passport, and eligibility follows.
Trusting an old list. Eligibility lists change as agreements are added or suspended. A list saved from a blog in 2024 proves nothing in 2026 — the only authoritative version is the live list on the application platform, which is also where you will see the immediate result for your exact passport.
Ignoring the conditional routes. Many unlisted-passport travelers hold a valid US, UK or Schengen visit visa and never realise it unlocks the eVisa or visa on arrival, including for accompanying first-degree relatives. Before assuming you need an embassy appointment, check the conditional-eligibility row above against documents you already hold.
Do not rely on an old list
- Use the passport nationality, not residence alone.
- Review the current eligible-country list on the live application platform before payment.
- Check whether your purpose is tourism-related — the eVisa route is tourist-only.
- Use the embassy route if your country is not listed and you hold none of the conditional documents.
Related Saudi Arabia guides
Saudi Arabia FAQs
How many countries are listed for eVisa access?
The eVisa platform says citizens of 66 eligible countries can apply; the platform maintains the current country list — verified 31 October 2026.
What if my country is not listed?
The eVisa platform directs applicants to the nearest Saudi Arabia Embassy. Check the conditional routes first — a US, UK or Schengen visa, permanent residence, or GCC residency may still open a path.
Does living in an eligible country make me eligible?
No. Eligibility is based on the passport and the current published rules, not simply the place of residence — though GCC residency is its own recognised route.
Can my family apply with me on one application?
Each traveler needs their own application and issued eVisa. Accompanying first-degree relatives of US, UK or Schengen visa holders are covered under the conditional route with their own applications.
Is the eligible-country list the same for the ETA?
No. The electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is a separate, currently UK-only route. See the hub page for how the two documents differ.
Not sure whether your passport qualifies?
See the current eligible-country list first, then use the application link for the correct Saudi route.
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