visit visa
How to Get a Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa — Step-by-Step Guide
Saudi Arabia opened to international tourism in 2019 and now offers an e-visa that can be applied for online in minutes. Citizens of 56+ countries are eligible, and the process is fully digital — no embassy visit required. This guide walks you through the application step by step.
Highlights
- ★Citizens of 56+ countries can get a Saudi tourist e-visa online — no embassy visit needed.
- ★The tourist visa is valid for 1 year, allows multiple entries, and each stay can be up to 90 days.
- ★Cost: SAR 300 (approx. USD 80) plus a small processing fee. Travel insurance is included.
- ★Processing time: usually instant to 24 hours for most nationalities.
- ★GCC residents (holding valid residency of any GCC country) can get a visa on arrival regardless of nationality.
- ★Some nationalities (e.g. US, UK, EU, Japan, Australia) are eligible for visa on arrival at major airports.
Who Is This For?
Tourists and visitors from eligible countries who want to visit Saudi Arabia for leisure, sightseeing, or visiting friends and family.
Step-by-Step Process
- 1Check if your nationality is eligible for the e-visa at visa.visitsaudi.com — the list of eligible countries is updated periodically.
- 2Go to visa.visitsaudi.com and click 'Apply for Tourist Visa'.
- 3Create an account with your email address.
- 4Fill in your personal details — name as it appears on your passport, date of birth, nationality, and passport number.
- 5Upload a clear photo of your passport bio-data page.
- 6Upload a recent passport-size photograph (white background, clear face).
- 7Answer the declaration questions honestly.
- 8Pay the visa fee online using a credit or debit card. The fee is approximately SAR 300 plus a processing charge.
- 9Your visa is usually issued instantly or within a few hours — you will receive it by email as a PDF.
- 10Print or save the visa to your phone. You may be asked to show it on arrival alongside your passport.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using a passport with less than 6 months validity — Saudi immigration requires minimum 6 months validity on arrival.
- ✗Applying from an ineligible country — check the current list before applying, as it changes.
- ✗Uploading a blurry or cropped passport photo — this causes rejection or delays.
- ✗Assuming the visa starts from the application date — it is valid for 1 year from the date of issue, not from when you travel.
- ✗Not printing or saving the visa — you will need to present it at the port of entry.
Timing & Fees
Visa fee: SAR 300 (~USD 80) plus processing. Travel insurance is included in the fee. Processing: usually instant to 24 hours. Validity: 1 year from issue, multiple entry, max 90 days per stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are eligible for the Saudi tourist e-visa?
56+ countries including the US, UK, all EU member states, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and many others. The full list is available at visa.visitsaudi.com. If your country is not on the list, you may need to apply through a Saudi embassy.
Can I extend my tourist visa if I want to stay longer?
Yes. Tourist visas can be extended for an additional 90 days through the Absher Visitor platform or the Muqeem portal. See our guide on extending a visit visa for full steps.
Is travel insurance required for the Saudi tourist visa?
Travel insurance is automatically included in the tourist e-visa fee — you do not need to purchase separate insurance for visa purposes. However, the included cover may be basic, so additional travel insurance is recommended for comprehensive cover.
Can I get a visa on arrival at Saudi airports?
Yes, but only for certain nationalities (including US, UK, EU, Australia, Japan, and some others) and GCC residents of any nationality. For all others, apply online before travelling.
Can I work on a tourist visa?
No. Working, being employed, or receiving payment for any service while on a tourist visa is strictly prohibited. See our guide on what you can and cannot do on a visit visa.