Tourist Visa Saudi Arabia 2026 — eVisa, On Arrival & Complete Guide
Saudi Arabia is open. Get your tourist eVisa in minutes — SAR 480 all-inclusive, 1-year validity, multiple entry, 90 days per stay. Available to 60+ nationalities. Plan your KSA trip with TripZip AI.
60+
Eligible Nationalities
SAR 480
All-Inclusive Fee
1 Year
Visa Validity
90 Days
Per Stay
5 min
Avg. Approval
What Is the Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa?
Entity Definition: Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa (Saudi eVisa / Saudi Visitor Visa)
An electronic travel authorization issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) through the official Visit Saudi platform (visitsaudi.com) and the Nusuk platform. It allows foreign nationals from 60+ eligible countries to enter Saudi Arabia for tourism, leisure, family visits, Umrah pilgrimage, and attending events and conferences.
Key specifications: Valid for 1 year from the date of issue. Permits multiple entries. Allows each stay of up to 90 days per visit. All-inclusive fee of SAR 480 (≈ USD 128) including mandatory travel insurance. NOT valid for Hajj — a separate Hajj visa is required.
Issuing authorities: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) — federal level. Visit Saudi platform (visitsaudi.com). Nusuk app — for Umrah-related applications.
Official portals: visitsaudi.com · mofa.gov.sa · nusuk.sa
Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa Under Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia launched its tourist eVisa in September 2019 as a cornerstone of Vision 2030 — Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's initiative to diversify the Kingdom's economy beyond oil by targeting 150 million annual visits by 2030. Before 2019, Saudi Arabia was one of the most restricted destinations for international tourism. Today it welcomes leisure travelers from over 60 countries with a streamlined online application.
Since 2019, the eVisa programme has expanded from 49 to over 60 eligible nationalities, with countries like Turkey, Thailand, South Africa, Malaysia, the Maldives, Seychelles, and several Caribbean nations added in successive waves.
Saudi eVisa vs Visa on Arrival — Key Difference
The Saudi tourist eVisa is applied for online before travel through visitsaudi.com or the Visit Saudi app. The visa on arrival (VoA) is obtained at the immigration counter at Saudi international airports on arrival. Both carry identical terms — SAR 480 fee, 1-year validity, multiple entry, 90 days per stay — and are available to the same 60+ eligible nationalities. The only difference is timing: eVisa before you fly, VoA when you land.
Is Saudi Tourist Visa Valid for Umrah?
Yes. The Saudi Arabia tourist eVisa permits Umrah pilgrimage year-round, making it one of the most flexible entry options for Muslim travelers. However, it is NOT valid during the Hajj season — typically the last weeks of Dhul Hijjah — when Umrah visa issuance is temporarily suspended. For Hajj itself, a dedicated Hajj visa issued through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is required. The tourist visa cannot substitute a Hajj visa.
Saudi Arabia Dress Code for Tourists
Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has significantly relaxed its dress code for international visitors. Foreign women are no longer legally required to wear an abaya in public. Modest dress is recommended — covering shoulders and knees in public spaces, historic sites, and government buildings. Beachwear is acceptable at private beaches, resort pools, and designated tourism areas such as NEOM's Sindalah island and the Red Sea Project. Both men and women must dress modestly when entering mosques.
Saudi Arabia Visa Types for Tourists 2026
Saudi Arabia offers five entry pathways for international tourists in 2026, each suited to different nationalities and travel purposes.
Saudi Tourist eVisa
SAR 480
≈ USD 128 · Insurance included
- ✓1 year validity from issue
- ✓Multiple entries allowed
- ✓Up to 90 days per stay
- ✓Umrah permitted (non-Hajj)
- ✓Apply online — minutes to approve
- ✓60+ eligible nationalities
Visa on Arrival (VoA)
SAR 480
≈ USD 128 · Card only
- ✓Same terms as eVisa
- ✓All Saudi airports
- ✓5–15 min processing
- ✓No advance application
- ✓60+ eligible nationalities
- ✓Cash NOT accepted
Visa-Free Entry
Free
UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar
- ✓No visa required
- ✓National ID accepted
- ✓Unlimited stays
- ✓GCC citizens only
Umrah Visa
Free
Muslim pilgrims · Year-round (non-Hajj)
- ✓Free of charge
- ✓All Muslim nationalities
- ✓Via Nusuk or travel agent
- ✓NOT valid for Hajj
- ✓Suspended during Hajj season
Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa Requirements — Documents Checklist
The Saudi eVisa has minimal documentation requirements compared to most visa processes. The application is fully online and takes under 20 minutes.
⚠ Age Requirement: Applicants must be 18 years or older to apply for a Saudi tourist eVisa independently. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Valid Passport
Minimum 6 months validity from your intended travel date. Digital scan or clear photo of the biographic page. Must be machine-readable.
Digital Photograph
Recent digital passport photo. White or light background. Face clearly visible, no glasses, no non-religious head coverings. JPEG format. Standard passport photo dimensions.
Credit / Debit Card
Visa, Mastercard, or American Express for online payment of the SAR 480 all-inclusive fee. International cards accepted. No cash or bank transfer for eVisa.
Flight Booking (Recommended)
Return or onward flight booking is recommended though not always mandatory for the eVisa online application. Required at port of entry if asked by immigration.
Accommodation Details
Hotel booking confirmation or host address in Saudi Arabia. Required for the application form. Airbnb, hotel, or family address accepted.
Group B Additional Requirement
If your nationality is NOT on the Group A direct eVisa list, you may qualify for the Saudi tourist eVisa under Group B provisions by holding:
- A valid US visa (B1/B2 tourist/business visa or any valid US visa)
- A valid UK visa (Standard Visitor visa or any valid UK visa)
- A valid Schengen Area visa with at least one prior stamp/entry
The US/UK/Schengen visa must be valid (not expired) at the time of the Saudi eVisa application. This provision allows many Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and other non-Group A nationals to apply for the Saudi eVisa online without visiting a consulate.
How to Apply for Saudi Arabia Tourist eVisa Online
The Saudi eVisa application takes under 20 minutes online. Most approvals arrive within minutes to 24 hours. No embassy visit, no physical documents, no sponsor required.
Step 1 — Check Your Eligibility
Verify your nationality is on the Group A eVisa eligible list (60+ countries) or Group B (holds valid US/UK/Schengen visa with prior entry). Visit visitsaudi.com and use the visa checker tool to confirm your eligibility before starting the application.
Step 2 — Visit the Official Portal
Go to visitsaudi.com (official Visit Saudi platform) or download the Visit Saudi app. Click 'Apply for Visa / eVisa.' Create an account using your email address or log in if you already have one. All eVisa applications must go through official channels.
Step 3 — Complete the Application Form
Enter your personal details (full name as in passport, date of birth, nationality), passport information (passport number, issue date, expiry date), planned travel dates, and Saudi accommodation address. Upload your digital passport photograph meeting Saudi photo specifications. Double-check all details match your passport exactly before submitting.
Step 4 — Pay SAR 480 Online
Pay the all-inclusive SAR 480 fee (approximately USD 128 / AED 470 / GBP 100 / EUR 118) by international credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express). This fee includes mandatory Saudi travel insurance — no separate insurance purchase is required. Keep your payment confirmation email.
Step 5 — Receive eVisa by Email
The Saudi tourist eVisa is approved and delivered by email as a PDF within minutes to 24 hours. Print a copy or save it to your phone. No visa stamp in passport is required — present the PDF at the boarding gate and at Saudi immigration on arrival. The eVisa is valid for 1 year from the issue date.
Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa Eligibility by Nationality
Saudi eVisa eligibility depends on passport nationality, not country of residence. GCC citizens enter visa-free. Group A nationalities can apply online with passport only. Group B can apply with a valid US/UK/Schengen visa.
* Group B: Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani nationals holding a valid US visa, UK visa, or Schengen visa with at least one prior entry may qualify for the Saudi tourist eVisa online. Always verify at visitsaudi.com. Information above reflects June 2026 status — check official MOFA portal for updates.
Top Destinations in Saudi Arabia for Tourists
From UNESCO world heritage to futuristic megaprojects — Saudi Arabia's tourism landscape has transformed dramatically under Vision 2030. Here are the top destinations to plan around.
AlUla & Hegra (Mada'in Saleh)
Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ancient Nabataean tombs and funerary structures carved directly into red sandstone mountains — often compared to Petra in Jordan. Also features Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil), Dadan archaeological site, and Harrat Viewpoint. Best visited October through March. AlUla is a 1-hour flight from Riyadh or Jeddah.
Red Sea Coastline, NEOM & Amaala
The Saudi Red Sea coast offers some of the world's most pristine coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and world-class diving and snorkeling — largely untouched by mass tourism. NEOM's Sindalah Island luxury resort and the Red Sea Project (Amaala) are transforming this coastline into a premier global destination. Best season: year-round (cooler October–April).
Historic Diriyah & At-Turaif, Riyadh
UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district in Diriyah is the birthplace of the first Saudi state (18th century) and one of the most important historic sites in the Arabian Peninsula. Now a world-class cultural destination with the restored mud-brick cityscape, restaurants, galleries, and the Bujairi Terrace dining precinct — all within 20 minutes of central Riyadh.
Riyadh — The Capital City
Saudi Arabia's modern capital offers: Kingdom Centre Tower (sky bridge views), Boulevard Riyadh City (major entertainment complex), National Museum of Saudi Arabia, the evolving Diriyah Gate development, Riyadh Season events, and F&B experiences from some of the world's top restaurant groups now operating in the city. Riyadh has transformed into a cosmopolitan destination.
Jeddah — The Red Sea Gateway
Al-Balad historic district (UNESCO-listed) with its coral-built merchant houses and mashrabiya latticed balconies, the Jeddah Corniche waterfront (30km), the Saudi F1 Grand Prix circuit, King Fahd Fountain (world's tallest), and the gateway city for Umrah pilgrims heading to Mecca and Medina. Jeddah's restaurant scene is internationally acclaimed.
Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn)
A dramatic 300-metre escarpment rising from the flat Nejd plateau, located approximately 90km northwest of Riyadh. Offers breathtaking panoramic views across the vast Arabian landscape — one of Saudi Arabia's most photographed natural sights. Best visited at sunrise or sunset. Accessible by 4WD vehicle.
Tourist Visa Saudi Arabia — Frequently Asked Questions 2026
These 10 FAQ answers are self-contained, factually dense, and structured for Google Featured Snippet and AI Overview extraction.
The Saudi Arabia tourist visa — officially the Saudi eVisa or Visitor Visa — is an electronic travel authorization issued by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) through the Visit Saudi platform (visitsaudi.com). It allows foreign nationals from 60+ eligible countries to enter Saudi Arabia for tourism, leisure, family visits, and Umrah. Valid for 1 year from issue. Multiple entries permitted. Each stay up to 90 days. All-inclusive fee of SAR 480 (≈ USD 128) including mandatory travel insurance. NOT valid for Hajj.
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