Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa: Who Can Apply & How

Saudi Arabia has opened its doors to leisure travellers more widely than ever, and getting a tourist visa is now a straightforward, mostly online process. Whether you want to explore Al-Ula's ancient landscapes, dive along the Red Sea coast, catch an event during Riyadh Season, or simply visit family, this سعودي ليفنج guide walks you through who qualifies, the different visa types, current fees, and how to apply with confidence.

Types of tourist visa

There are three main routes into the Kingdom for tourism purposes, and the right one depends on your nationality and existing travel documents:

• Electronic visa (eVisa): Applied for and issued fully online before you travel, usually within a short processing window.
• Visa on arrival: Issued at the airport or land border for eligible travellers, without needing to apply in advance.
• Consular tourist/visit visa: Obtained through a Saudi diplomatic mission or an approved visa centre in your country, typically for nationalities not covered by the eVisa scheme.

Who can apply for the eVisa or visa on arrival

The eVisa and visa-on-arrival options are the fastest and most convenient, but they are limited to specific groups. Under current 2025–2026 rules, you may qualify if you fall into any of these categories:

• Eligible nationalities: Citizens of roughly 60 to 66-plus specified countries — including EU member states, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and South Korea — can apply directly for the eVisa or receive a visa on arrival.
• Valid Schengen, US or UK visa holders: If you hold a valid tourist or business visa for the Schengen area, the US or the UK that has been used at least once (with an entry stamp from that region), you may qualify regardless of your nationality, subject to conditions.
• Permanent residents: Permanent residents of the US, EU or UK, and residents of GCC countries holding valid residence permits, may also be eligible.

GCC citizens — from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — do not need a tourist visa to enter the Kingdom at all.

The package tourist visa

For travellers whose nationality is not covered by the standard eVisa, there is a dedicated tourist visa package. This is available when you purchase an integrated tourism package through an approved travel and tourism service provider registered with the Saudi tourism ministry.

As of mid-2026, nationalities currently eligible for this package visa include Jordan, Egypt, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan. Because eligibility lists are updated periodically, always confirm your status through the official Saudi visa and tourism portal before booking.

Fees and what they cover

Tourist visa charges are all-inclusive and non-refundable. Expect the following in 2026:

• Package tourist visa: around SAR 402.21, which covers the visa issuance fee plus the mandatory health insurance premium.
• Standard tourist eVisa / visa on arrival: a typical all-inclusive charge ranging from about SAR 402.21 to SAR 535, depending on the platform and how the fee is broken down.

A common 2026 breakdown for the standard eVisa is: a visa fee of around SAR 300, mandatory medical insurance of about SAR 180, and 15% VAT of roughly SAR 45 on the visa fee — bringing the total to approximately SAR 535. These figures are indicative; confirm the exact amount at the point of application.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check your eligibility against the categories above to decide whether you need the eVisa, visa on arrival, package visa or a consular visa.
2. Choose the right channel: the official online tourist eVisa platform, the national government portal for visa and tourism services, or an approved Saudi mission/visa centre abroad.
3. Prepare your documents: a passport valid for at least six months, a recent photo, and details of your travel plans.
4. Complete the application and pay online — the mandatory health insurance is bundled into the fee.
5. Receive your visa electronically (for the eVisa) and keep a copy on your phone and in print for entry.

Practical tips before you travel

• The tourist visa is for tourism, family visits, events and related leisure activities — not for paid work.
• Fees are non-refundable, so double-check your nationality's eligibility before paying.
• Download توكلنا and keep your travel documents handy for a smoother arrival.
• Rules and eligible-country lists change, so always verify the latest details on the official Saudi visa and tourism portal before you apply.

With the process now largely digital and open to dozens of nationalities, a Saudi tourist visa is easier to obtain than many travellers expect. Confirm your route, budget for the all-inclusive fee, and you'll be ready to explore everything the Kingdom has to offer.

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