Saudi Tourist Visa: Who Can Apply and How

Saudi Arabia has made it much easier for travelers to visit for tourism, family visits, events, and Umrah outside the Hajj season. The tourist eVisa can often be obtained in minutes online, but eligibility, allowed activities, and a few important restrictions still catch people out. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through who can apply, how the process works, what it costs, and what you can and cannot do on a tourist visa.

Who can apply

There are two main routes to a Saudi tourist visa. The first is direct online eligibility, and the second is applying through a Saudi diplomatic mission or an authorized visa-service provider when you don't qualify for the online route.

• Citizens of the 66 eligible countries listed on the Saudi eVisa application portal can apply directly online.
• Holders of a valid Schengen, United Kingdom, or United States visit visa may also apply.
• Permanent residents of the United States, the European Union, or the United Kingdom are eligible.
• Residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries can apply as well.

If you don't fall into any of these categories, you may still be able to visit by applying through an approved Saudi diplomatic mission or an authorized visa-service provider.

Basic requirements

• A passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
• A minimum age of 18 to apply directly for the eVisa. Minors must be included through an accompanying adult's application.
• Personal and passport details, plus any information the portal requests.
• Medical-insurance coverage, which you select during the application.

How to apply, step by step

The official application channels are the Saudi eVisa portal at visa.visitsaudi.com and the KSA Visa platform at ksavisa.sa. The process is straightforward:

• Select the tourist visa option.
• Check your nationality and confirm your eligibility.
• Enter your passport and personal details.
• Upload the requested information.
• Choose your medical-insurance coverage.
• Pay electronically.
• Receive your visa by email.

Approval is usually immediate, though some applications can take up to 3 business days, so it's wise not to leave it to the last minute before travel.

Fees

The KSA Visa listing shows a US$80 visa fee, plus a US$10.50 non-refundable digital-service fee and a US$10.50 non-refundable insurance-service fee, on top of the insurance premium you select. The final amount in ريال سعودي is calculated by the payment portal using its own exchange rate, so a fixed all-inclusive SAR price isn't published in advance. Always confirm the total shown at checkout on the official portal before you pay.

Validity and length of stay

• The standard tourist eVisa is valid for 1 year from issuance and is normally multiple entry.
• You can stay up to 90 days in total under the standard multiple-entry visa.
• Where issued, a single-entry tourist visa has 90-day validity with a stay of up to 90 days.

Keep in mind that the standard eVisa cannot be extended. Once your current tourist visa expires, you can generally apply for a new one.

What you can and cannot do

The tourist visa is designed for leisure and family travel, so it's important to know its limits before you rely on it.

• Permitted: tourism, attending events, leisure, visiting family and relatives, and performing Umrah outside the Hajj season.
• Not permitted: employment, studying, or performing Hajj.

The Makkah restriction to plan around

Tourist and other visit-visa holders cannot enter or remain in Makkah during the 2026 Hajj restriction period, which runs from 18 April 2026 through 1 June 2026. If your itinerary includes Makkah or Umrah, plan your dates carefully to avoid this window, and always verify current rules on the relevant official Saudi government portal before booking.

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