Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa: Who Can Apply & How

Oct 29, 2026•3 min read

Saudi Arabia has opened its doors wide to international visitors, and getting a tourist visa is now simpler than ever thanks to the online eVisa system. Whether you're planning to explore historic sites, attend an event, visit family, or perform Umrah outside the Hajj season, this guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through who can apply, how the process works, what it costs, and how long your visa lasts.

Who can apply

The Saudi tourist eVisa is available to citizens of eligible countries—currently 68 nationalities. If your country is on that list, you can apply directly online in minutes.

Even if your nationality isn't eligible for the direct eVisa, you may still qualify through other routes:

Holders of a valid Schengen, United Kingdom, or United States visit visa.
Permanent residents of the United States, European Union, or United Kingdom.
Residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries, through the applicable tourist-visa route.

Basic requirements

Passport validity: Your passport must remain valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
Age: The eVisa applicant must be at least 18 years old.
One application per traveler: A separate application is required for every traveler, including children.

What the visa allows (and what it doesn't)

The tourist visa covers a broad set of purposes:

Tourism and leisure
Attending events
Visiting family and relatives
Performing Umrah outside the Hajj season

Important: the tourist visa does not authorize employment or study. If your purpose is work or formal study, you'll need a different visa category.

How to apply step by step

Applications are made through the official Saudi KSA Visa platform or the official Saudi eVisa portal. The process is straightforward:

Complete the online application form.
Upload your passport and personal details.
Select the required insurance.
Pay the fees electronically.
Receive your eVisa by email.

If you can't use the eVisa, you can still submit through the KSA Visa platform and then complete processing at an authorized visa service center or a Saudi embassy.

Fees and processing time

The published base charges are:

Visa fee: US$80
Digital-services fee: US$10.50
Insurance-services fee: US$10.50
Plus the selected insurance premium

Using the Saudi riyal's fixed rate of SAR 3.75 per US$1, the published dollar charges come to approximately SAR 301.50 before the insurance premium. The final payable amount is always displayed during your application, so confirm the exact total on the official portal before paying.

Processing is usually fast—anywhere from about one minute to three business days.

Validity and length of stay

Standard tourist eVisa: Valid for one year from issuance, multiple entry, with a total stay of up to 90 days.
Single-entry tourist visa: Valid for 90 days and permits a stay of up to 90 days.

Keep in mind that an issued eVisa cannot be extended. If it expires before you enter the Kingdom, you'll need to submit a new application and pay the fee again.

Visa on arrival and the UK ETA route

Visa on arrival may be available to qualifying holders of Schengen, UK, or US visit visas, as well as permanent residents of the United States, European Union, or United Kingdom.

Eligible United Kingdom citizens have an additional option: a multiple-entry electronic travel authorization valid for 730 days, allowing stays of up to 180 days. The listed fee is SAR 50, and it is non-refundable.

Final tips

Double-check your passport's six-month validity before applying.
Apply for each traveler separately, including children.
Confirm the exact fees and any recent changes directly on the official eVisa portal before paying.

With the right visa in hand, you'll be ready to explore everything the Kingdom has to offer.

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