This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.
Reviewed September 2023
The introduction of the Saudi e-visa represents a significant advancement in the world of global travel, presenting convenience and accessibility to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By embracing state-of-the-art technology, this innovative digital system brings about a revolutionary change in the visa application procedure, removing the need for complex paperwork and extensive processing times.
Read on as Wego dives into everything you need to know while applying for a Saudi e-visa.
Table of Contents
Saudi e-visa news
In a significant development concerning visa regulations, Saudi Arabia has recently announced the expansion of its e-visa program to eight new countries. Earlier, the Kingdom announced a major visa reform, implementing the issuance of e-visas to visitors from 12 countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, and Lebanon, among others. Now, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Tourism has expanded this policy to include eight new countries, which are Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the Maldives, South Africa, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Under the new system, travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia from these countries will no longer need visa stickers on their passports. Instead, they will receive a printed e-visa with a QR code, serving as a digital visa containing all essential passenger information.
Notably, earlier this year, Saudi Arabia had already discontinued the use of visa stickers for visitors from countries such as the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Saudi e-visa 2023
The Saudi e-visa allows foreign nationals entry into Saudi Arabia for non-essential and non-religious purposes. The visa covers tourism-related activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj season), but not studying.
Book cheap flights to Saudi Arabia
Saudi e-visa eligible countries
The countries eligible to apply for the Saudi e-visa online are as follows:
North America: Canada, US.
Europe: Andorra, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom,
Asia: Brunei, China (Including Hong Kong And Macau), Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Africa: South Africa
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
For GCC residents: Saudi e-visa is only permitted to GCC residents with certain additional requirements.
The following applicants are eligible to apply for an e-visa entry permit known as the Saudi instant visa:
- individuals who hold permanent residency in the UK, US, or European Union countries
- applicants who possess valid visas from the UK, US, or Schengen Area
The following nationalities will receive an e-visa upon successful completion of their visa application and processing: Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Kenya, Morocco, Thailand, Yemen, Uganda, Vietnam,
Saudi e-visa validity
The Saudi e-visa offers a convenient and comprehensive travel option with a validity of one year, allowing multiple entries and permitting stays of up to 90 days per visit.
Saudi e-visa requirements
Eligibility
For GCC residents
To be eligible to apply for the Saudi e-visa, GCC residents must meet the following conditions:
- the minimum age of applicants is 18 (for children under 18, the parent is required to apply first)
- when applying, the applicant’s passport must be valid for at least six months. Applicants also must have a residency visa from a GCC country that has been valid for 3 months
- for religious tourists, please note that visa holders can perform Umrah anytime except during the Hajj season
- applicants must complete separate visa applications for each member of their direct family and must accompany the member upon entering Saudi
For other eligible countries
The following are some of the requirements to apply for a Saudi e-visa:
- the minimum age requirement for applicants is 18 years old
- travellers under the age of 18 must have an individual above 18 years old acting as their guardian
- when applying, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of entering Saudi Arabia. For US citizens, an extended validity of 6 months after the passport expiry date is acceptable for the application.
Documents required
For GCC residents
To be eligible to apply for the Saudi e-visa, GCC residents must have the following documents:
- a residency visa from a GCC country that has been valid for 3 months
- a passport valid for at least six months
- a parent application is mandatory for children under the age of 18
For other eligible countries
To be eligible to apply for the Saudi e-visa, eligible applicants must have the following documents:
- return ticket
- booking accommodation (only the address is required)
- a hard copy of the visa, although it is advisable to have a soft copy available.
- a passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of entering Saudi Arabia. For US citizens, an extended validity of 6 months after the passport expiry date is acceptable for the application.
Saudi e-visa application
For GCC residents
To apply for the Saudi e-visa, GCC residents need to follow the steps given below:
- visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website and log in to your account. Register via email if you are a new applicant
- on the next page, fill out the required information, such as visa and personal details
- scroll down further to enter details regarding your GCC residency
- select travel insurance
- pay the application fee
Once approved, you will receive your Saudi e-visa via email.
For other eligible countries
Applicants residing in one of the eligible countries mentioned above can apply for the Saudi e-visa by following the steps given below:
- visit and register on the Visit Saudi e-visa portal
- fill out the application form, accurately
- make the required visa fee payment
Once approved, you will receive your Saudi e-visa via email.
Saudi e-visa price
The visa price for the Saudi e-visa is as follows:
For GCC residents
The cost of a Saudi e-visa for GCC residents is SAR 300 (USD 79), which includes full health insurance fees.
For other eligible countries
The cost of a Saudi e-visa is SAR 535 (USD 142), which includes a fee for full health insurance during the stay in Saudi Arabia.
Please note that the visa application fee is non-refundable.
Saudi instant visa
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also issued the Saudi instant visa, which is an e-visa entry permit granted to individuals who hold permanent residency in the United Kingdom, United States, or European Union countries, as well as those who possess valid visas from the UK, US, or Schengen Area.
This visa is available regardless of the applicant’s nationality. The application process for this visa is conveniently conducted online through the MOFA website, and upon fulfilling the required procedures and regulations, the e-visa will be promptly issued.
Please note that as emphasized by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, this Saudi tourist e-visa cannot be used to perform Hajj or Umrah during the pilgrimage season.
For more information, visit our dedicated Saudi instant visa article:
