Saudi Tourist Visa 2026: Who Can Apply & How

Saudi Arabia has made visiting the Kingdom easier than ever, opening its doors to tourists, families, and Umrah pilgrims from dozens of countries. If you're planning a trip in 2026 — whether to explore الرياض, relax on the البحر الأحمر coast, or discover the heritage of العلا — this guide from سعودي ليفنج explains exactly who can apply for the tourist visa, how much it costs, how long you can stay, and the simplest way to get one.

Who is eligible for the tourist eVisa?

The Saudi tourist eVisa is available online to citizens of 66 specified countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania in 2026. If you hold a passport from one of these countries, you can apply digitally without visiting an embassy.

• GCC citizens (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE) are visa-exempt for visits of up to 90 days and do not need a tourist visa at all.
• GCC residents, along with holders of valid US, UK, or Schengen visas of other nationalities, may access an eVisa route or visa on arrival under separate conditions.
• Nationals not on the 66-country list — such as citizens of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, and the Philippines — generally cannot get the tourist eVisa directly and must apply through consular or sticker-visa channels instead.

What the tourist visa covers

The standard Saudi tourist visa is designed to be flexible. It allows you to enter the Kingdom for a range of purposes, so a single visa can cover more than one type of trip.

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

Note that the tourist visa is not intended for paid work or long-term residence. If you plan to work or settle in the Kingdom, you'll need a different category of visa.

Validity and how long you can stay

The tourist eVisa is generous when it comes to duration and repeat trips:

• It is generally valid for one year from the date of issuance.
• It is a multiple-entry visa, so you can make several trips during that year.
• You can stay for up to 90 days per visit.
• For some categories, there is an overall cap of 180 days total stay within the visa's one-year validity.

Always confirm your specific stay allowance on the official Saudi visa portal before booking, as conditions can differ by category.

Fees and cost breakdown for 2026

The current total online eVisa fee widely reported for eligible nationalities is 535 ريال سعودي. This is a composite price that bundles several charges together:

• Government visa fee: around 300 ريال سعودي
• Mandatory medical/health insurance: around 180 ريال سعودي
• VAT and platform/processing charges: around 55 ريال سعودي

You may see older guides mentioning a fixed government fee of 395 ريال سعودي. That figure conflicts with the current composite structure and appears outdated, so treat 535 ريال سعودي as the working total — and always verify the exact amount on the official portal at the moment you apply, since fees can be updated.

How to apply: eVisa vs. visa on arrival

Eligible travelers have two convenient options.

Online eVisa: Apply digitally before you travel through the official Saudi tourist visa portal. You'll typically need a valid passport, a recent photo, contact details, and a payment card. The medical insurance is included automatically in the fee, and approvals are usually issued electronically.

Visa on arrival: Citizens of the same 66 eVisa-eligible countries can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Saudi international airports instead of applying online — useful if you decide to travel at short notice.

Either way, keep a copy of your visa and insurance confirmation handy during your trip.

Quick tips before you travel

• Check your passport validity well before applying — most entries require several months of remaining validity.
• Apply through the official government portal only, and avoid third parties charging inflated fees.
• Plan Umrah trips outside the Hajz season, as tourist visas do not cover Hajj.
• Confirm the latest fees, stay limits, and eligibility list on the official Saudi visa portal before booking, as rules are periodically updated.

With a one-year, multiple-entry visa and an easy online process, exploring Saudi Arabia in 2026 has never been more accessible. سعودي ليفنج wishes you a smooth journey.

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