Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa: Who Can Apply & How

Saudi Arabia has opened its doors to leisure travellers with a modern tourist visa system that is largely online and quick to complete. Whether you want to explore historic sites, attend an event, visit family and friends, or perform Umrah outside the Hajj season, the tourist visa is your gateway. This guide from Saudi Living explains who qualifies, how long you can stay, what it typically costs, and exactly where to apply through official government channels only.

What the tourist visa is for

The Saudi tourist visa is a single-country visa valid for entry to Saudi Arabia. It is designed for a broad range of travel purposes, including:

• Tourism and leisure travel
• Attending events and festivals
• Visiting family and friends
• Performing Umrah outside the Hajj season

Note that the tourist visa does not permit study or paid work in the Kingdom. If your purpose is employment or enrolment in an educational programme, you will need a different visa category.

Who can apply

Eligibility depends mainly on your nationality and, in some cases, your residence status:

• Nationals of around 66 eligible countries can apply online for the tourist eVisa and, in most cases, are also eligible for a visa on arrival at Saudi ports of entry.
• GCC residents of many other nationalities can apply for a tourist eVisa or visit visa using the details of their valid GCC residence permit.
• Other nationalities generally need to apply through a Saudi mission or consulate using the official national visa platform.

If you are unsure which route applies to you, check your eligibility on the official Saudi tourist eVisa platform before booking any travel.

Validity and length of stay

The standard tourist eVisa is generous and flexible:

• Validity: typically one year (Gregorian) on a multiple-entry basis.
• Maximum stay per visit: up to 90 days at a time.
• Total days per year: up to 180 days across the visa's validity for many tourists.

This means you can enter and exit multiple times within the year, as long as you stay within the per-visit and annual day limits.

Typical fees

Fees are payable by debit or credit card only and are non-refundable. As a mid-2026 guide to the standard tourist visa, typical official charges are:

• Government visa fee: 300 SAR.
• Mandatory medical insurance: commonly 180 SAR, assigned automatically through the platform.
• Online platform/service fee (for the eVisa): around 55 SAR.
• Typical total for an eVisa: about 535 SAR, including VAT and insurance.
• Typical visa-on-arrival charge: about 480 SAR, with a similar visa fee and insurance but a lower service component.

Because fees can change, always confirm the current amount on the official platform at the time you apply.

Transit and short layovers

If you are only passing through, a transit visa is available for layovers under 96 hours. When you use the official transit mechanism on a qualifying airline ticket, it is often issued at no additional visa fee. This is a convenient option if you want to step out and see a city during a long connection.

Where and how to apply

Always use official government channels and avoid private agents. There are two main routes:

• Online tourist eVisa portal: the official Saudi tourist eVisa platform dedicated to tourism visas, where eligible nationals and GCC residents can apply and pay directly.
• Unified national visa platform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the main government platform for visa services, including submission and follow-up, used when applying through a Saudi mission or consulate.

To make the process smooth, have a valid passport, a clear personal photo, and a working payment card ready. Complete your application details carefully, as the visa is linked to your passport information.

Quick tips before you travel

• Apply well ahead of your travel dates, even though the eVisa is usually quick.
• Keep a copy of your visa confirmation to show on arrival.
• Remember the medical insurance is bundled into the visa fee automatically.
• Track your total days used in the year to stay within the 180-day limit.

With the right visa in hand, Saudi Arabia is remarkably easy to explore — from ancient heritage sites to modern seasons and events. Confirm every current fee and eligibility detail on the official platform before you apply.

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