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

Saudi Arabia has made it far easier to visit for tourism, family visits, and Umrah. If you are planning a trip to explore the Kingdom's cities, heritage sites, and coastlines, the tourist visa is your gateway. In this guide, سعودي ليفنج explains exactly who can apply, which channels are official, how much it costs, and how long you can stay — so you avoid confusion and delays.

Who can apply for a Saudi tourist visa

The tourist visa covers tourism, family visits, and Umrah — but not Hajj. Eligibility depends mainly on your nationality and, in some cases, on visas or residence permits you already hold.

• Eligible nationalities: Citizens of roughly 63–66 countries across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania can obtain a Saudi tourist e‑visa or a visa on arrival.
• GCC citizens: Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates enter visa‑free for short stays and enjoy freedom of movement for up to about 90 days.
• GCC residents and holders of certain visas: Many GCC residents (regardless of nationality), as well as holders of valid, previously used US, UK, or Schengen visas or residence permits, can also qualify for an online tourist visa under separate facilitated rules.

If you are unsure whether your nationality is on the eligible list, always verify on the official Saudi e‑visa portal before booking travel.

Where to apply — the official channels

Online tourist e‑visa applications are submitted through the official Saudi e‑visa portal linked from the national tourism platforms. This is the only correct route for a standard foreign tourist visa.

Importantly, tourist visas are not issued through أبشر, مقيم, قوى, ناجز, نفاذ, or توكلنا. Those platforms handle other government and residency services, not standard foreign tourist visa issuance. Applying through the wrong channel is a common source of confusion, so make sure you use the dedicated e‑visa portal.

Validity, entries, and how long you can stay

The standard tourist e‑visa is generous and designed for repeat travel:

• Validity: 1 year (365 days) from the date of issue.
• Entries: Multiple entry, so you can come and go during the validity period.
• Maximum stay: 90 days total within that year. This is a cumulative limit across all your visits, not 90 days

In practice, this means you can split your 90 days across several trips over the year. Keep track of how many days you have used, because the total is counted across every entry.

Extensions and staying longer

In‑country extension of the tourist e‑visa is generally not allowed. If you want to stay beyond a single visit, the practical approach is to exit and re‑enter — but only while you still have remaining balance within your 90‑day total and the visa itself is still valid. Once you reach the 90‑day cumulative limit or the visa expires, you will need a fresh application. If your plans require a longer or different type of stay, confirm the appropriate visa category on the relevant official Saudi government portal.

Fees and mandatory health insurance

The tourist e‑visa fee bundles several components into one payment. For 2026, a typical breakdown looks like this:

• Total fee: around SAR 535 ريال سعودي, covering the visa, insurance, and processing.
• Base visa fee: SAR 300 ريال سعودي.
• Mandatory health insurance: generally around SAR 180–235 ريال سعودي, depending on the category and provider.
• Processing, service, VAT, and transaction charges: around SAR 55–95 ريال سعودي.

Because fees and insurance rates can change, treat these figures as a guide and confirm the exact total at the moment you apply on the official portal.

Tips for a smooth application

• Check your passport validity well before applying, and make sure your details match your travel documents.
• Apply through the official e‑visa portal only — avoid unofficial intermediaries.
• Keep a copy of your approved visa and insurance details for entry.
• Track your cumulative days of stay so you never exceed the 90‑day limit.
• Remember the tourist visa does not cover Hajj; a separate permit applies for that.

With the right channel and a little planning, getting a Saudi tourist visa is straightforward. Whether you are visiting family, exploring heritage and modern attractions, or performing Umrah, this visa gives you a full year of flexible, multiple‑entry access to the Kingdom.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving