Saudi Tourist Visa: Who Can Apply and How

Oct 21, 2026•4 min read

Saudi Arabia has opened its doors to travelers from around the world through a streamlined tourist eVisa that can often be obtained in minutes. Whether you want to explore historic districts, attend one of the Kingdom's major seasons and events, visit family, or perform Umrah outside the Hajj period, this guide from سعودي ليفنج explains exactly who qualifies, what you need, how much it costs, and how to apply correctly.

Who Can Apply

The Saudi tourist eVisa is available to a broad range of travelers. You may be eligible if you fall into one of these groups:

Citizens of the 68 countries approved for the tourist eVisa.
Holders of a valid visa issued by the United States, the United Kingdom, or any Schengen Area country.
Permanent residents of the United States, the United Kingdom, or the European Union.
Residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Applicants under the age of 18 cannot apply independently and must be included under a responsible adult's application.

What You Can and Cannot Do

The tourist eVisa is designed for leisure and personal travel. Permitted purposes include:

Tourism and sightseeing.
Attending events and leisure activities.
Visiting family or relatives.
Performing Umrah outside the Hajj season.

This visa does not allow you to work, study, or perform Hajj. If your purpose falls into any of those categories, you will need a different type of visa suited to that activity.

Key Requirements

Before you apply, make sure you meet the basic conditions:

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
You must travel on the exact same passport you used to apply — this is an entry condition, not just a formality.
You cannot apply for a new tourist visa while your current one is still valid.

How to Apply

There are a few official channels, depending on where you are:

Apply online through the Saudi eVisa portal or the unified KSA Visa platform.
If you are in a country without an online or visa-service option, you can apply through a Saudi embassy or an authorized visa service center.

The online process is straightforward:

Complete the online application form.
Upload your passport details and any required information.
Select your travel insurance.
Pay the displayed charges.
Receive your visa electronically by email.

Keep in mind that paying the fee does not guarantee approval, and fees may change without notice.

Costs

The published charges on the KSA Visa platform are shown in US dollars rather than a fixed total in ريال سعودي. The breakdown is:

Visa fee: US$80.
Digital-service fee: US$10.50.
Insurance-service fee: US$10.50.
Plus the insurance premium you select.

The final amount you pay is calculated and displayed during the application, so always confirm the total shown on screen before you submit.

Processing, Validity, and Stay

For eligible applicants, instant issuance is available, meaning you may receive your visa within minutes. Other applications can take anywhere from one minute up to three business days, so it is wise not to leave your application to the last moment.

Validity: The tourist eVisa is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
Entries: It is typically a multiple-entry visa, unless your issued visa states otherwise.
Maximum stay: You may stay for up to 90 days, and the eVisa cannot be extended.

Practical Tips

To make your application smooth, keep these points in mind:

Double-check that your passport meets the six-month validity rule before paying.
Use the same passport throughout — from application to arrival at the Saudi border.
Plan your travel within the 90-day stay limit, since extensions are not available on this visa type.
Always confirm the latest requirements, eligibility, and fees on the official Saudi government visa portal, as these details can be updated.

With the right preparation, the tourist eVisa makes visiting Saudi Arabia faster and more convenient than ever — leaving you free to focus on the experience ahead.

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