Tourist visa for Saudi Arabia - all the details!

After years of increasing tourism openness, Saudi Arabia is preparing to receive more visitors from all over the world. Tourism in Saudi Arabia today embodies one of the most important axes of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, as it seeks to diversify its economy and enhance visitors’ experience with various unique cultural and natural activities and attractions.

With the start of 2024, talk about a “tourist visa for Saudi Arabia” will be a central topic on the minds of many who want to explore what this new tourist destination has to offer.

Latest updates:

1. Opening of the tourist visa lounge upon arrival at Jeddah Airport:

In an effort to facilitate entry procedures for tourists into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the tourist visa lounge was opened upon arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Thursday, November 2, 2023. This opening aims to provide better services and facilitate the process of obtaining a visa for tourists coming to the Kingdom, through... By providing multilingual services according to the highest quality standards.

2. Advantage of electronic visa exemption for Britons:

To strengthen international relations and encourage tourism, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched the electronic visa exemption feature for UK citizens. This feature allows British citizens to enter the Kingdom once for a period of up to 6 months without the need for a prior visa.

3. Cancellation of visa sticker:

Starting from May 1, 2023, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia decided to cancel the sticker of work, visit and residence visas issued by some of the Kingdom’s representations in selected countries. Instead, the sticker will be replaced with a visa printed on an A4 sheet of paper, facilitating the entry process for tourists and travelers into the Kingdom without any visa-related hassles.

Saudi Arabia entry visa for residents of the Gulf countries:

It is now approved to submit the tourist visit visa electronically for all professions in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Residents of these countries are allowed to apply for a visit visa for tourism purposes online.

Saudi e-Visa:

The e-visa is granted for one year and allows tourists to stay in the Kingdom for up to 90 days during its validity period. It includes tourism and Umrah activities and excludes other activities such as study. You can apply for an electronic visa through the attached link .

Saudi tourist visa:

The Kingdom has opened its doors to international visitors since September 2019 with an e-visa system, allowing visitors to obtain an entry visa valid for one year. This visa is issued to tourists several times and allows a maximum stay of 90 days during its validity. This visa can be used for tourism and Umrah purposes, except for the Hajj season.

Saudi Arabia Tourism Visa upon arrival:

Visitors can obtain a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia upon arrival at the airport, valid for up to 12 months. This service is available to countries eligible to obtain an electronic visa, in addition to holders of permanent residency in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, or European Union countries, in addition to holders of visas from these countries if the required conditions are met.

Visa through the embassy:

If the previous conditions are not met, you can apply for a visa through the relevant Saudi embassy. This requires submitting necessary documents such as proof of residence, return ticket, proof of employment, bank statement, travel itinerary, as well as complete personal information and residential address.

Cost of e-tourist visa:

Price: 746.31 Saudi riyals.

Description: Includes full health insurance fees during your stay in the Kingdom.

Cost of Saudi tourist visa upon arrival:

Price: 480 Saudi riyals.

Tourist visa characteristics:

Multiple entry tourist visa:

Validity: One year from the date of issue.

Maximum length of stay: 90 days.

Single entry tourist visa:

Validity: Three months from the date of issue.

Maximum length of stay: 30 days.

payment methods:

Payment must be made in Saudi Riyals using a credit card or international bank card for e-Visa and Visa on Arrival.

Conditions for visa applications (Group A)

1. Minimum age:

- The applicant must be at least 18 years old.

2. Legal guardian:

- In the case of underage applicants, the legal guardian must be over 18 years of age.

3. Passport validity:

- The passport must be valid for a period of no less than 6 months at the time of entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

- USA citizens are allowed to obtain a tourist visa regardless of the validity of the passport as long as it is still valid.

4. Visa fees:

- All application fees are non-refundable if the application is rejected.

- Additional accommodation fees: 100 Saudi riyals for each day of stay.

5. No religious requirements:

- There are no religious requirements for the applicant.

6. Eligible Nationalities:

- Holders of nationalities that have concluded bilateral agreements with the Kingdom can apply for a visa.

Conditions for obtaining a visa (Group B)

1. Minimum age:

- The applicant must be at least 18 years old.

2. Required documents:

- Required documents include proof of accommodation reservation, round-trip airfare, proof of employment, financial capacity, travel itinerary, and complete personal data.

3. Visa fees:

- Amounts paid will not be refunded when the application is rejected, and visa fees are non-refundable.

- Additional accommodation fees: 100 Saudi riyals for each additional day of stay.

4. No religious requirements:

- There are no religious requirements for the applicant.

5. No need for a guarantor:

Obtaining a visa does not require a sponsor.

6. Visa issuance period:

The visa issuance time usually ranges between one and two business days.

The validity of the visa is checked by airlines before boarding flights to Saudi Arabia.

Documents required to obtain a Saudi tourist visa

1. Passport

2. A personal photo

3. Completed visa application form (online)

4. Gulf residency and qualified job:

- For applicants from one of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

- The residency must be valid for at least three months.

Extension of the Saudi tourist visa

The Saudi tourist visa cannot be extended.

Is a Saudi tourist visa valid for performing Hajj?

A visit visa for the purpose of tourism does not entitle its holder to perform Hajj rituals at all, as the regulations and instructions in the Kingdom prevent those who hold a tourist visa from performing Hajj while in the Kingdom, and also prevent them from performing Umrah during the Hajj season determined by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Except for the timing of Hajj, holders of a Saudi tourist visa can perform Umrah at any time of the year.