A Saudi single-entry visa lets you enter the Kingdom once; it expires the moment you leave, even if validity remains.
Many travellers — including Indian, Pakistani and Egyptian nationals — now receive only this type. Here’s how it works.
How It Works
A single-entry visa permits one entry into Saudi Arabia. The day you exit, the visa is used up — re-entering means applying again.
That is the key difference from a multiple-entry visa, which lets you come and go repeatedly within its validity. For a single-entry holder, the trip ends at the border.
Most single-entry visas are issued for tourism, business, or family visits. A tourist visa also lets you perform Umrah outside the Hajj season. It does not allow Hajj or paid work.
You can read the full breakdown of tourist-visa uses in our Saudi tourist visa guide.
Who Gets One
Since February 2025, Saudi Arabia has issued only single-entry visit visas to nationals of 14 countries.
According to immigration advisory Fragomen, the affected nationalities are:
- Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia
- Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan
- Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen
The change was made to curb unregistered Hajj attendance, after long-stay tourist visas were misused during the 2024 pilgrimage. As of June 2026, multiple-entry tourist visas have not been restored for these nationalities.
Travellers from the 60-plus eVisa-eligible countries may still receive multiple-entry visas, decided case by case.
Validity, Stay and Fees
A single-entry visa is processed on an individual basis, so terms vary by nationality and case. The figures below reflect the official Visit Saudi rules as of June 2026.
- Validity: typically 3 months from issue (the window in which you must enter)
- Maximum stay: up to 90 days; some cases are capped at 30 days
- Entries: one — the visa ends on exit
- Extension: not possible; you must leave before it expires
- eVisa fee: around SAR 300, plus mandatory medical insurance
The exact fee depends on your nationality and the insurance cost, so confirm the total on the official portal before paying. You can verify any issued visa through our Saudi visa check guide.
How to Apply
There are three main routes, depending on your passport. Pick the one you qualify for.
- Online eVisa: the usual route. Apply on the official Saudi eVisa portal, upload your passport and photo, pay, and receive it by email in 24 to 72 hours. Your passport needs six months’ validity and two blank pages. See our Saudi e-Visa guide.
- GCC residents: follow a separate track with eligible residency — see the eVisa for GCC residents guide.
- Visa on arrival: select nationalities collect a visa at the airport, decided at the border — details in our visa on arrival guide. Apply online first if you can. Most travellers land at Jeddah or Riyadh.
- Family visit visa: residents sponsoring relatives use a separate channel, often single-entry — steps in our family visit visa guide. To leave and return as a resident, you need an exit/re-entry visa instead.
Single vs Multiple Entry
The core trade-off is how many times you can cross the border on one approval.
| Feature | Single-Entry | Multiple-Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Entries allowed | One | Unlimited within validity |
| Typical validity | 3 months | Up to 1 year |
| Expires on exit? | Yes | No |
| Best for | A single trip or Umrah visit | Frequent or repeat travel |
If your trip is one visit — a holiday, a family stay, or Umrah — single-entry is enough. Frequent visitors lose out, but for now many nationalities have no choice.
Planning a stopover instead of a full stay? Check whether a Saudi transit visa suits you better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend a single-entry visa?
No. Saudi electronic visas cannot be extended. You must leave the country before the visa expires, then apply again if you wish to return.
What happens if I leave and want to return?
The visa expires the moment you exit, even with validity left. You will need a fresh visa to re-enter — there is no re-use.
Can I perform Umrah on a single-entry tourist visa?
Yes, outside the Hajj season. A tourist visa allows Umrah and visits to hotels in Makkah and Madinah, but it does not permit Hajj.
Can I request a multiple-entry visa instead?
You can request one, but for the 14 restricted nationalities only single-entry visas are issued as of June 2026. The final decision rests with Saudi authorities.
Sources
- Visit Saudi — Visa Regulations
- Official Saudi eVisa Portal
- Fragomen — Saudi Visit Visa Entry and Exit Restrictions
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
