Saudi Tourist Visa: Who Can Apply & How to Get It

Saudi Arabia has opened its doors wider than ever to visitors, and the tourist visa is the main gateway for anyone coming to explore the Kingdom's landscapes, heritage sites, entertainment seasons, or to visit family. But eligibility, fees, and validity vary depending on your nationality and where you live. In this Saudi Living guide, we break down who can apply for a Saudi tourist visa, the different routes available, current costs, and exactly how to complete the process.

Who Can Apply for a Saudi Tourist Visa

There are three main groups eligible for a tourist visa:

• eVisa nationalities: Citizens of roughly 60–66 specified countries across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania can apply online for an electronic tourist visa (eVisa).
• GCC residents: If you hold a valid residence permit from a Gulf country — regardless of your nationality — you can also obtain a Saudi tourist eVisa.
• Restricted nationalities: Some passport holders (including Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen) currently receive restricted tourist visit visas with different conditions.

Because eligibility lists are updated over time, always confirm your specific nationality's status on the official Saudi tourism visa portal before applying.

What the Tourist Visa Allows

The Saudi tourist visa is designed for a wide range of purposes, including:

• Tourism and leisure travel
• Family visits
• Attending events and entertainment seasons
• Performing Umrah outside the Hajj season

Important: the tourist visa does not cover Hajj pilgrimage. If you intend to perform Hajj, you must apply through the dedicated Hajj arrangements rather than a tourist visa.

Validity and Duration of Stay

For most eligible nationalities, the tourist eVisa is generally valid for 1 year (365 days) from the date of issue on a multiple-entry basis, allowing you to enter and exit repeatedly. Each individual visit can last up to a maximum of 90 days inside the Kingdom.

The situation differs for the restricted group of 14 nationalities. New tourist visit visas for this group are generally single-entry, with shorter validity and a maximum stay of around 30 days. The one-year multiple-entry tourist visa for these nationalities has been suspended since February 2025 and remains unavailable in 2026. Confirm the latest position before booking travel.

Fees: eVisa, GCC Residents, and Visa on Arrival

Costs vary depending on which route applies to you:

• Standard eVisa: Around SAR 535 for eligible nationalities. This all-in figure includes the visa fee, mandatory health insurance, and electronic processing, with no additional fees charged on arrival.
• GCC residents: The visa component is typically around SAR 300, with the total depending on insurance charges; some listings quote SAR 300 as an all-in eVisa fee for this group.
• Visa on arrival: For eligible passport holders, this is usually around SAR 480 total, often broken down as roughly SAR 300 for the visa and about SAR 180 for insurance.

Fees can change, so treat these as guidance and verify the exact amount at the payment stage on the official portal.

How to Apply for the eVisa

The standard online application is submitted through the official Saudi tourism visa portal via a simple web form, in three core steps:

• Step 1: Fill in the application with your personal and travel details.
• Step 2: Pay the visa fee online using a payment card.
• Step 3: Receive your eVisa electronically, usually by email.

Typical requirements include a valid passport from an eligible country, a passport-style photo (sometimes captured electronically during the application), a payment card for the online fee, and basic personal and travel information. GCC residents will additionally need to provide proof of their valid Gulf residence permit.

Practical Tips Before You Travel

• Make sure your passport has enough remaining validity before applying.
• Keep a digital and printed copy of your eVisa when you travel.
• Double-check whether your nationality qualifies for the eVisa, visa on arrival, or the restricted category.
• If you're a GCC resident, ensure your residence permit remains valid for the duration of your trip.
• Always confirm current fees, validity rules, and eligibility on the official Saudi tourism visa portal, as these are periodically updated.

With clear planning, the tourist visa makes it straightforward to experience everything the Kingdom has to offer — from heritage and desert adventures to major entertainment seasons and Umrah outside Hajj season.

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