How to Get a Saudi Tourist Visa

How to Get a Saudi Tourist Visa

Saudi Arabia’s tourist visa, introduced in September 2019, marked a historic opening of the Kingdom to international leisure travellers. Previously, non-business and non-religious visitors had extremely limited access to Saudi Arabia. The tourist visa programme, a cornerstone of Vision 2030’s tourism strategy, enables citizens of eligible countries to visit the Kingdom for tourism, events, leisure, and Umrah. The application process is straightforward, predominantly digital, and designed to facilitate the Kingdom’s target of attracting 150 million annual visits by 2030.

E-Visa Application

The primary method for obtaining a Saudi tourist visa is through the electronic visa (e-visa) system, accessible via the Visit Saudi website (visa.visitsaudi.com) or the Visit Saudi mobile application. The e-visa application process is entirely online and typically completed within minutes.

Applicants complete a digital form requiring personal information, passport details, travel itinerary, and accommodation details. A digital passport photograph is uploaded. Payment is made online via credit or debit card. The e-visa is issued electronically and delivered to the applicant’s email, with no embassy visit required.

Visa on Arrival

Citizens of certain countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, European Union member states, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and others, may also obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Saudi airports and land border crossings. The visa on arrival process involves biometric capture, document verification, and fee payment at immigration facilities. Processing times at major airports, including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, are typically under 30 minutes.

Eligible Nationalities

The Saudi tourist visa is available to citizens of approximately 49 countries through the e-visa system, with additional nationalities eligible through visa-on-arrival or embassy application processes. The eligible country list has been progressively expanded since the programme’s launch. Citizens of countries not on the e-visa or visa-on-arrival lists may apply through Saudi embassies and consulates in their home countries.

Holders of valid US, UK, or Schengen visas from non-eligible countries may also qualify for a Saudi tourist visa under facilitated processing arrangements, broadening access to the Kingdom for international travellers.

Visa Details

The Saudi tourist visa is a multiple-entry visa valid for one year from the date of issuance. Visitors may stay for up to 90 days per entry, with a maximum aggregate stay of 90 days within the one-year validity period. The visa fee is SAR 300 (approximately USD 80), plus mandatory health insurance of SAR 140 (approximately USD 37). The total cost is approximately SAR 440 (USD 117).

The tourist visa permits leisure travel, attendance at events and festivals, family visits, and performance of Umrah (though not Hajj, which requires a separate visa). Business meetings are also permissible under the tourist visa, though employment is not authorised.

Required Documentation

The documentation requirements for a Saudi tourist visa are minimal. Applicants need a passport valid for at least six months beyond the planned entry date, a recent digital photograph meeting specification requirements, a valid credit or debit card for payment, and basic travel information including intended dates and accommodation.

No letter of invitation, hotel booking confirmation, or return flight ticket is required for the e-visa application, though immigration officers may request travel plan details upon arrival.

Travel Considerations

Visitors to Saudi Arabia should be aware of local laws and customs. Dress codes, while relaxed compared to historical requirements, expect modest attire in public spaces. Alcohol is prohibited throughout the Kingdom. During the holy month of Ramadan, eating, drinking, and smoking in public during daylight hours is restricted. Photography of government buildings, military installations, and certain cultural sites may be restricted.

The Kingdom offers an expanding array of tourist attractions, including AlUla’s ancient Nabataean sites, the Red Sea coast, Riyadh’s modern entertainment venues, Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, and the Asir region’s mountain landscapes. The Visit Saudi platform provides comprehensive information on destinations, events, and practical travel guidance.

Umrah Visa Considerations

Visitors arriving on the tourist visa may perform Umrah at the Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah. This represents a significant change from the pre-2019 system, where separate Umrah visas were required. During the Hajj season, the tourist visa does not permit participation in Hajj rites, which require a dedicated Hajj visa allocated through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Outlook

Saudi Arabia’s tourist visa programme will continue to evolve as the Kingdom expands its tourism infrastructure and targets increased international arrivals. Visa policy liberalisation, including potential expansion of eligible nationalities and further process simplification, is anticipated as the Kingdom pursues its ambitious tourism growth objectives.