Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

Yes, you will need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. However, nationalities of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates can enter Saudi Arabia without a visa. They are visa-exempt in Saudi Arabia because they are all members of the same regional organization: the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The GCC is a political and economic union designed to foster cooperation between its member states. One of the benefits of membership is the free movement of citizens across borders. This means that Bahrainis, Kuwaitis, Omanis, and Emiratis can travel to Saudi Arabia (and each other’s countries) without a visa. It simplifies travel and strengthens ties between the member states.

There are currently four visa-exempt countries for Saudi Arabia:

• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Oman
• United Arab Emirates

Citizens of these countries do not need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia for short-term stays. This is because they are all members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a political and economic alliance allowing visa-free movement between member states.

For most tourists, the simplest way to enter Saudi Arabia is with an e-visa. You can apply for this online before your trip to Visas for Future. At Visas for Future, you can experience the simplified application process, which makes it more accessible and convenient. Our team of experts will guide you through every step of the process to ensure a hassle-free experience. Feel free to apply for your Saudi Arabia Tourist visa today with Visas for Future!

What We’re Offering

If you want to travel to Saudi Arabia and are curious if you are required to have a visa, this article will answer your questions. However, if you need a visa, you can apply with Visas for Future. Our e-visa processing service will send your Saudi Arabia Tourist e-visa and compulsory health insurance to your mailbox within three (3) days.

• The $214.82 fee includes the government fee and mandatory health insurance
• One-year validity.¹
• 90 days duration.²
• Multiple entry.²

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Saudi Arabia Visa Policy

The visa policy of Saudi Arabia outlines the regulations and requirements for entering the country.

1. Visa Requirement: Most visitors to Saudi Arabia must obtain a visa unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries.
2. Visa Exempt Countries: Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries enjoy freedom of movement and may enter with a national ID card.
3. Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW): Citizens of the United Kingdom can obtain an EVW for single entry with a maximum stay of 6 months for tourism, business, education, and medical reasons.
4. E-Visa or Visa on Arrival: From September 28, 2019, Saudi Arabia started to issue tourist visas online and on arrival. Visitors eligible for an e-visa or visa on arrival must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
5. Diplomatic or Official Passport Holders: Certain countries’ diplomatic or official passport holders may enter without a visa or obtain one on arrival.

The documents required for a Saudi Arabia e-visa

Here is the list of documents required for Saudi Arabia e-visa.¹

• Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months.
  • Upload the Biodata page of your Passport.
• Passport-Size Photo: Include a recent passport-size photograph that adheres to the specified guidelines.
  • Dimension: 200 x 200 px
  • Image Size: 5 to 100 Kb
  • Allowed picture file types are .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp
• USA/UK/Schengen Visa ID/Document
• Details of Accommodation in Saudi Arabia: Provide information about your accommodation arrangements in Saudi Arabia. This could involve presenting hotel reservations or specifying the address of the place where you intend to stay.
• Flight Itinerary: Submit a detailed flight itinerary that outlines your planned entry and exit dates from Saudi Arabia.
• Health Insurance (to be purchased while ordering the eVisa): It is mandatory to buy health insurance as part of the eVisa application process. This insurance ensures you have coverage for any unforeseen medical expenses during your stay. You can typically purchase this insurance while completing the visa application.
• Financial Proof: Include documents demonstrating your financial capability to cover your expenses during the visit. This could include recent bank statements, proof of employment, or any other financial documentation that supports your ability to fund your stay in Saudi Arabia.
• Upload the Biodata page of your Passport.

Eligibility Criteria

Tourist Visa (eVisa)

• Eligibility: Open to citizens from 63 eligible countries.
• Application: This can be done online through Visas for Future website.
• Duration: One-year, multiple entry visa, allowing a stay of up to 90 days.
• Purpose: Tourism-related activities, family visits, leisure, and Umrah (excluding Hajj).

Business Visa

• Application: Must apply in person at the embassy or through authorized travel agencies.
• Requirements: Specific business-related documentation and sponsorship from a Saudi company.

Work Visa (Employment Visa)

• Requirements: Job offer from a Saudi employer, relevant qualifications, and medical fitness.

Family Visit Visa

• Eligibility: Relatives of residents or citizens in Saudi Arabia.
• Requirements: Invitation from a family member residing in Saudi Arabia.

Student Visa

• Eligibility: Admission offer from a Saudi educational institution.
• Requirements: Academic records and proof of financial support.

Hajj and Umrah Visa

• Eligibility: Muslims intending to perform Hajj or Umrah.
• Requirements: Religious and health certifications.

Importance of knowing if you need a visa for Saudi Arabia

There are several important reasons to know if you need a visa for Saudi Arabia before you travel:

• Avoid denied entry: If you show up at the border without a visa when one is required, you will be denied entry to Saudi Arabia. This could cause significant inconvenience and expense, as you might need to rebook flights and potentially lose any pre-paid travel bookings.
• Plan your application process: The Visa process can take time, especially sticker visas. Knowing well in advance gives you enough time to research requirements, collect documents, and submit your application.
• Ensure you have the necessary documents: Different visas require different supporting documents. Knowing what visa you need ensures you have everything required to avoid delays or application rejection.
• Fees and travel costs: Visa fees can vary depending on the visa type and processing speed. Knowing what visa you need helps you factor in these costs when budgeting for your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Saudi eVisa. (2023). Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia. Retrieved March 23, 2024<https://visa.visitsaudi.com/> [↩] [↩]
2. Saudi eVisa. (2023). Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia. Retrieved March 23, 2024<https://visa.visitsaudi.com/> [↩] [↩]

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Written by Apple Gajes

Apple is a skilled content writer of Visas For Future who had a bachelor's degree in Education. She does well at producing high-quality visa articles and continuously upgrading her skills by actively engaging herself to various courses and training opportunities. She also contributes to travel forms and visa fulfillment in Turkey and India. Committed to writing exceptional visa articles, she performs real visa orders and provides customer support quarterly to stay abreast of the visa processing process.

Managed by Glen Vidania

Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.

Published by Visas for Future

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Cite this article

MLA Style

Gajes, Apple. "Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/do-i-need-a-visa-for-saudi-arabia/. Accessed on 23 March 2024.

Chicago Style

Gajes, Apple. "Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?." Visas For Future. March 23, 2024. https://www.visasforfuture.com/do-i-need-a-visa-for-saudi-arabia/.