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Difference between a Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa and a Tourist Visa

If you're unsure whether to choose an Umrah visa or a tourist e-visa, this article will help you understand the key distinctions between these two options. With our services, you can select the visa that best suits your travel needs. We'll assist you in obtaining your tourist e-visa through the online application process. We ensure a smooth and stress-free experience, delivering your tourist visa and mandatory health insurance directly to your mailbox within just three days.

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The Umrah visa is specifically intended for Muslims who wish to perform the lesser pilgrimage. It enables Umrah pilgrims to engage in religious activities, visit holy sites, and acquire Zamzam water.1 The tourist visa, on the other hand, is designed for general tourism purposes. It is a multiple-entry visa valid for one year, allowing tourists to stay for a maximum of 90 days per visit.2 The tourist visa offers greater flexibility and convenience compared to the Umrah visa, and we can facilitate the online application process for the tourist visa seamlessly and efficiently.3

With Visas for Future, you can easily get your tourist e-visa in a few simple steps:

  • Provide your information.
  • Pay the application fee.
  • Fill out the intake form.
  • Submit the required documents.

We are committed to providing guidance and support throughout the tourist e-visa application process and addressing any questions or concerns you may have while filling out our form. Once your application is approved, We will send it to your email. Choose us, and you’ll enjoy a smooth application with our guidance, ensuring you have all the support you need. Plus, for every e-visa you buy from us, we plant a tree in your name, contributing to a greener planet.


What We’re Offer

We offer Saudi Arabia Tourist e-visa processing service.

  • 90-day duration.
  • Multiple-entry.
  • Includes health insurance.
  • The $214.82 fee includes the government fee and the mandatory health insurance.
  • Three-day processing time.
  • Form validation included.
  • We plant a tree for every visa sold.

Why choose us

Our visa forms are easy and simple.
We validate your application.
We answer your questions.
We plant a tree!

Which is better, the Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa or the Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa?

The primary distinction between a Saudi Arabia Umrah visa and a tourist visa lies in the purpose of the visitor’s journey. Muslim pilgrims undertaking the sacred pilgrimage of Umrah, a spiritual journey to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, specifically use an Umrah visa. In contrast, a tourist visa caters to visitors seeking to explore Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural tapestry, diverse landscapes, and vibrant cities.

FeatureUmrah VisaTourist E-Visa
RequirementsA passport with at least 6-month validity
Passport-size photo
Details of accommodation in Saudi Arabia
Flight itinerary
Health Insurance (to be purchased while ordering the e-visa)
Financial proof
A passport with at least 6-month validity
Passport-size photo
Details of accommodation in Saudi Arabia
Flight itinerary
Health Insurance (to be purchased while ordering the e-visa)
Financial proof
PurposeTo perform the UmrahFor tourism purposes
EligibilityMuslimsNon-Muslims
Duration30 days90 days
Number of EntriesSingle entryMultiple entries
Visa application feeMore expensiveLess expensive
The list above is the difference between the two visas.

It’s worth noting that Umrah visas come with some notable benefits, but applying for one can be a bit more challenging than obtaining a tourist eVisa. For example, unlike tourist visas, Umrah visas permit travelers to bring back ZamZam with them. Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that Umrah visas are only granted to Muslims and are single entry, whereas tourist visas are multiple entry and open to anyone. Finally, it’s worth noting that only 49 countries allow Umrah on a tourist eVisa.

Now that you understand the differences between the Umrah visa and the tourist visa, you can choose the one that best suits your needs. When making your decision, consider your planned activities and travel arrangements. For a convenient, cost-effective, and secure way to get a visa, I highly recommend considering the e-visa option. It is the easiest, cheapest, safest, and most environmentally friendly way to get a visa.

How to Apply for Saudi Arabia Tourist E-Visa Online?

Obtaining your e-visa is a straightforward process with these steps:

  1. Go to Website: Visit Visas for Future and click on the “Get Saudi Arabia E-Visa Now” button to fill out the application form.
  2. Provide Personal Information: Begin your journey by providing your details, including your full name, date of birth, contact number, and email address.
  3. Payment: Choose your preferred payment method, such as a credit or debit card, and proceed with the secure payment process to pay the $214.82 application fee.
  4. Intake Form: Carefully review the questions on the intake form and provide accurate and detailed answers to all of them. This form includes your passport number, travel dates, travel plans, accommodation preferences, and intended arrival and departure cities.
  5. Required Documents: Upload a recent passport-sized photo that meets the government guidelines.
  6. Review and Submit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly review your personal information, intake form answers, and uploaded documents to ensure accuracy and completeness. Once satisfied, click the “Submit” button to finalize your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Saudi tourist visa valid for Umrah?

Yes, you can perform Umrah with a Saudi tourist visa.

What is the Umrah visa for Saudi Arabia?

An Umrah visa is a travel document issued by the government of Saudi Arabia that allows Muslims to travel to Mecca and Medina for the Umrah, a pilgrimage to the two holy cities.

Does Saudi Arabia allow tourist visas?

Yes, Saudi Arabia now allows tourist visas. In September 2019, the country opened its doors to visitors from 49 eligible countries, including the United States, Canada, and most of Europe.

How many times can I enter Saudi on a tourist visa?

A Saudi Arabian tourist visa is a multiple-entry visa, which means that you can enter and exit the country multiple times during the validity period of the visa.


  1. Pilgrimage – Saudi Arabia travel advice. (n.d.). GOV.UK. Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia/pilgrimage []
  2. Entry requirements – Saudi Arabia travel advice. (n.d.). GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia/entry-requirements []
  3. Saudi eVisa | The Official website for Tourist Visa to Saudi Arabia. (2023). Visa.visitsaudi.com; Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia . https://visa.visitsaudi.com/ []

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Charlyn Miguel
Written by

Charlyn is a science researcher and a content writer at Visas for Future. She is trained to write informatively, engaging her contents about visas for Turkey, India, Colombia, Egypt, and Aruba. She also does and manages client orders for efficient customer service. She had published academic articles and co-authored a book. She handles actual visa orders once every three months to preserve his knowledge and communication with the factual visa processing system.

Glen Vidania
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.

Glen Vidania
Published by Visas for Future

Visas for Future strives to help you virtually, so that your research is complete in one visit. Our articles are informative, complete and to-the-point. We write in an accessible way, so that non-native English speakers will understand. Our website is accessible for the visually impaired. We have full oversight of our articles and are unbiased in writing. Check our editorial guidelines.

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MLA Style

Miguel, Charlyn. "Difference between a Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa and a Tourist Visa." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/saudi-arabia-umrah-visa-vs-tourist-visa/. Accessed on 20 August 2023.

Chicago Style

Miguel, Charlyn. "Difference between a Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa and a Tourist Visa." Visas For Future. August 20, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/saudi-arabia-umrah-visa-vs-tourist-visa/.

Published: 20 Aug 2023 11:18 UTC

Last modified: 10 Feb 2024 3:08 UTC

Reading time: 5 minutes

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