The Saudi tourist visa: who can apply, and how it works

Saudi Arabia only opened to leisure tourism in 2019, so most of what you find online about getting in is either out of date or written for business travellers. Here is how the system actually works today.

The tourist eVisa

The main route in for most visitors is the tourist eVisa, applied for online. It is issued as a multiple-entry visa valid for one year, allowing stays of up to 90 days in total, and it covers tourism, events, family visits and Umrah — but not Hajj, which has its own permit system, and not paid work.

Eligibility is by nationality. The list has grown steadily since 2019 and now covers most of Europe, North America, and a large part of East and South-East Asia. Because the list changes, check your own passport against the official portal at visa.visitsaudi.com before you book flights — that portal is the only authoritative source, and no agency, including us, can override what it says.

If your nationality is not on the list

There are two other common routes:

• Holders of a valid US, UK or Schengen visa or residence permit can often apply for a Saudi eVisa even when their nationality is not on the standard list, provided that visa has been used at least once.
• Residents of GCC countries can generally apply regardless of profession — the old restriction to certain job categories was removed.

Everyone else applies through a Saudi embassy or consulate, which takes longer and needs a sponsor or invitation.

What you need to apply

• A passport valid for at least six months from your date of arrival.
• A recent passport-style photograph.
• A confirmed address in Saudi Arabia for the first night.
• A payment card for the visa and insurance fee.

Approval is often quick — many applicants report it within minutes to a few days — but it is never guaranteed, so do not buy non-refundable flights before your visa is issued.

Visa on arrival

Citizens of eligible countries can also obtain the visa on arrival at the main international airports. It works, but the eVisa is the safer choice: if something is wrong with your documents you find out at home rather than at passport control.

After you arrive

• There is no departure tax to pay separately; it is in your ticket.
• Keep a digital copy of your visa — hotels ask for it at check-in.
• Domestic flights need photo ID; your passport is the simplest option.

Once you are in, see our Saudi Arabia tours for routes that work around the entry rules above — including versions of the Madinah itineraries adapted for non-Muslim travellers.

Common questions