Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Saudi Arabia
Planning a trip to Saudi Arabia? While it’s a fantastic destination, there are a few key things you need to know before you go. Watch this video to discover essential travel tips that will help you make the most of your adventure!
What is a Saudi Arabia visa on arrival?
In September 2019, Saudi Arabia started providing citizens of 49 nations with Saudi Arabia tourist e-visa and visas on arrival. This modification enables travellers from these nations to get a multiple-entry or single-entry visa on arrival with different validity.
Who is eligible for the Saudi Arabia Visa on Arrival?
- Some countries are free from any requirement and are still eligible for the Saudi Arabia Visa-on-Arrival.
- USA, U.K., and Schengen tourist or business visa holders or holders of permanent residency in the US, UK and Schengen are also eligible for a Saudi tourist visa on arrival. They can apply for the visa anytime at the country's entry points instead of waiting in line at a Saudi consulate.
Conditions for Saudi Arabia Visa on Arrival
For applicants with USA, U.K., and Schengen tourist or business visas or holders of permanent residency in the US, UK and Schengen, thefollowing conditions need to be fulfilled:
- First-time Visitors
- Ensure your Schengen, UK, or US visa/residency permit is still valid.
- The visa must be either a tourist visa or a business visa.
- Your visa must have an entry stamp from the issuing country (digital entry stamps are not accepted).
- Returning Visitors
- If you are going to Saudi Arabia and you already have a valid Saudi visit visa that you've used before, you don't have to worry about whether your Schengen, UK, or US visa/residency permit is also valid. Your Saudi visa is enough.
- All Visitors
- The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you enter Saudi Arabia.
- For Applicants from countries with no Specific Requirements
Make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of your arrival in Saudi Arabia.
For US Citizens: Applicants with US citizenship are allowed to enter Saudi Arabia as long as their passport is valid (not expired), even if it is going to expire soon.
What is the validity of a Saudi Arabia visa on arrival?
The kind of visa determines how long it is valid. Multiple-entry access permits you to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 3 months, whereas a single-entry visa only allows you to stay for one month. Whether you visit or exit the nation during that time, a multiple-entry visa's maximum stay is 3 months.
Travellers should know that the visa on arrival is only suitable for tourism, business, or Umrah.
Process of obtaining a Saudi Arabia Visa on Arrival
You can obtain your visa at any entry point while entering Saudi Arabia. This entry can be through air, sea, or land routes. Depending on your case, the process does not take more than 10-30 minutes. If you have the required documents and meet the eligibility requirements for a visa, the process can go smoothly for you.
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Note: Underage applicants can only apply for the visa upon arrival if their parents or guardians accompany them. |
Cost of Saudi Arabia Visa on Arrival
The cost of an arrival tourist visa is SAR480. The cost of the Saudi Visa on Arrival is subject to change; thus, it is advised to refer to the Saudi Immigration website.
You might have heard about the Saudi eVisa, but what’s the difference between an eVisa and a visa on arrival?
What is the Saudi Arabia eVisa?
A Saudi Arabia eVisa is a travel document that can be applied for online on the Saudi Arabia eVisa website. The applicant/traveller is required to provide all the information and documents needed to obtain permission to enter the country.
What is the difference between the Saudi Arabia eVisa and Visa-on Arrival?
Both sound like travel documents, so which one is best for you? Well, in the table below we have explained exactly that.
Saudi Arabia eVisa
The application process is completely online
No need to wait at the airport once you reach the country
Pre-approved travel authorisation
Require digital documents to be uploaded
Saudi Arabia Visa on Arrival
The application process starts after arrival in the country.
The applicant needs to wait at the airport after arrival
Not a pre-approved travel authorisation
May require hard copy of the documents
What is the validity of the Saudi Arabia electronic visa?
The validity of the Saudi Arabia tourist e-visa is one year. The visa's validity period begins on the day it was issued. The authorized e-visa specifies the validity duration. The following are some of the points which must be noted:
- A multiple-entry travel permit is available with the e-visa.
- The duration of the visa stay is distinct from the duration of the visa. Even though the e-visa is valid for a year, travelers can only remain for 90 days in a single visit.
- An e-visa cannot be extended. You will have to reapply for it and pay the visa fees if it expires before you reach the kingdom.
What is the fee for the Saudi Arabia eVisa?
The Saudi Arabia e-visa cost varies according to the selected processing time. A charge for complete health insurance during your visit to Saudi Arabia is included in the visa cost.
Steps to Apply for the Saudi Arabia eVisa
The applicant must go through various steps to apply for the visa. The following are the main steps for applying:
Check whether you need a visa: Saudi Arabia welcomes visitors from many countries. There are categories of countries that require visas to go there, and some do not. The GCC countries do not require visas to travel to Saudi Arabia. Only a passport is needed for these citizens.
Fill in the application: The Saudi authorities want you to fill out the Saudi Arabia eVisa Application form before applying. It takes a total of 12—14 minutes to fill out the form. The form is available on the Saudi online visa application website. You must complete all of your passport information, submit digital photographs, and provide travel and contact information.
Please refer to Documents Required for the Saudia Arabia e-visa.
Payment of the eVisa: You will be asked to make payment for the visa. The fee for Saudi Arabia e-Visa is to be paid through electronic modes such as credit card or internet banking. This process is entirely online for the ease of the applicants. After you proceed with the payment, you will receive an automatic confirmation version of the application.
Your Saudi eVisa will be delivered: Once all the steps are completed, your application will be processed, and when the request is approved, you will get your eVisa delivered to your email address.
Important points to note for Saudi Arabia eVisa:
Here are some of the essential points that you must note before and while applying for the electronic visa to get into Saudi Arabia:
- The approved e-Visa is sent as an email attachment, often a PDF file.
- Whatever the circumstances after your application submission, you cannot cancel or request a refund once you have submitted an eVisa application.
- Refunds are available in case of unapproved visas.
- Everyone who applies will get an electronic invoice for their transaction.
- In your e-visa application, always give accurate and precise information. Applications with inaccurate or misleading information will be disregarded.
- The decision to approve an e-visa application will be made by the ministry of tourism and the relevant regulators.
- Entry into KSA is not guaranteed even with a granted e-visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Saudi Arabia provides electronic visas tourism purposes. The duration of the tourist e-Visa is one year. Depending on the region where you apply, you can use it for several entries throughout the year.
Saudi e-visas are short-term travel permits. The duration of each visit for an e-Visa is up to 90 days; however, it cannot be used to enter Saudi Arabia to work or study. There are separate visas for work and study in KSA issued by the Saudi Arabian embassy or consulate.
The following are the primary conditions for eVisa:
- The minimum age requirement to apply for an e-visa is 18. Since minors cannot apply independently, an adult must do it on their behalf.
- Those who apply on behalf of a minor must be authorized by law; otherwise, the application will be turned down.
- In addition, you need a genuine, current passport to apply for a visa. If you plan to enter Saudi Arabia using an e-visa, make sure your passport is valid for six months. If not, it is preferable to get it renewed before applying.
Yes, travellers from countries eligible for the evisa program can get the visa on arrival with the exact requirements. However, they should still check their eligibility and confirm once before applying.
Content Disclaimer: This information is accurate as of May 2025. Travelers should verify all entry requirements with relevant embassies, government authorities, or airlines before finalizing any travel plans.
