Saudi Arabia grants visa-free entry to citizens of five (5) countries that belong to the same regional organization as itself, the GCC. The GCC are Saudi Arabia and five (5) other nations: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE.1
Holders of France and Thailand diplomatic and official passports are also exempt from visa requirements. Visa exemption means that citizens of these countries can visit Saudi Arabia for for tourism, business, or other purposes without the need to apply for a visa beforehand.
Aside from GCC, Saudi Arabia introduced an online visa exemption for UK nationals on August 2, 2023. The exemption allows them to visit Saudi Arabia for up to six (6) months with a single entry. They can use the exemption for various purposes, such as tourism, business, education, and health.
If you are not from a visa-exempt country, you can apply for the Saudi Arabia Tourist e-visa. You can easily apply for your Saudi Arabia e-visa here at Visas for Future. We will guide you through the steps of correctly filling out the online form, uploading your required documents in the correct format, paying your visa fee securely, and receiving your e-visa by email. We will also provide customer support and troubleshooting if you encounter any issues or questions during the e-visa application process.2
What We’re Offering
We offer Saudi Arabia e-Visa processing. Our e-visa processing service will give you your Saudi Arabia Tourist e-visa and mandatory health insurance in your mailbox within three (3) days. It will allow you to enter Saudi Arabia and take part in tourism-related activities such as events, family & relatives visits, leisure, and Umrah (excluding Hajj) and excludes other activities such as studying.
- 90 days duration.
- Multiple-entry.
- The fee is $214.82, which includes the government fee and the mandatory health insurance.
- Three (3) days 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!
Can I travel to Saudi Arabia without a visa?
You need a visa to travel to Saudi Arabia depending on your nationality. Citizens of the following countries can travel to Saudi Arabia without a visa:1
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
Citizens of all other countries need to obtain a visa before traveling to Saudi Arabia. Several types of visas are available, including tourist, business, and visit visas. You can apply for a visa online through Visas for Future.
How long does Saudi e-visa take?
The processing time for a Saudi Arabia e-visa is typically three (3) business days. However, this timeframe may vary depending on the volume of applications.
To ensure a prompt visa application process, it’s advisable to submit your application well before your planned travel date. Additionally, carefully review the application requirements and provide accurate and complete information to avoid delays.3
What documents are needed to travel to Saudi Arabia?
Here are the documents required to travel to Saudi Arabia:4
- A passport with at least six months validity.
- Passport-size photo.
- Details of accommodation in Saudi Arabia.
- Your flight itinerary.
- Health Insurance (to be purchased while ordering the e-visa)
- Proof of Financial Means.
Saudi Arabia Visa policy
The Saudi Arabian visa policy has undergone significant changes in recent years, opening its doors to a wider range of international visitors. The country now offers a variety of visa options for both short-term and long-term stays, catering to tourists, business travelers, religious pilgrims, and individuals seeking employment or residency in the Kingdom.1
Visa Types: Saudi Arabia offers a variety of visa types, including tourist visas, business visas, visit visas, employment visas, and residency visas. Each visa type has specific requirements and conditions related to the purpose of stay, duration, and eligibility criteria.
E-Visa System: Saudi Arabia has implemented an e-visa system for many nationalities, allowing online visa applications and processing. This streamlines the visa process for many travelers, making it more convenient and efficient.
Visa Exemptions: Citizens of certain countries, primarily members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), enjoy visa-free entry to Saudi Arabia. This facilitates travel and tourism among GCC member states.
Visa Processing Times: The processing time for Saudi Arabian visas typically varies depending on the visa type, the applicant’s nationality, and the application’s complexity. However, most e-visa applications are processed within three (3) business days.
What is a Saudi Arabia visa on arrival?
A Saudi Arabia visa on arrival, also known as a Saudi Arabia visa at the port of entry, allows eligible foreign nationals to obtain a visa upon arrival at a designated port of entry in Saudi Arabia. The visa-on-arrival program is available at certain airports and land borders in Saudi Arabia.
Eligibility for Saudi Arabia Visa on Arrival
The following categories of travelers are eligible for the visa-on-arrival program:
- Citizens of eligible countries: Nationals of:
- European Union All European Union citizens
- Andorra
- Albania
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Brunei
- Canada
- China
- Georgia
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Liechtenstein
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Panama
- Russia
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- San Marino
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uzbekistan
2. Visa-exempt nationals with a valid visa or residence permit from certain countries: Nationals of certain countries who hold a valid visa or residence permit from the United States, the United Kingdom, or the Schengen Area may obtain a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Frequently Ask Questions
Can I enter Saudi Arabia with a Schengen visa?
Yes, Schengen visa holders can now enter Saudi Arabia with an e-visa or visa on arrival. This is a recent change to the visa policy of Saudi Arabia.
Does Saudi Arabia allow tourist visas?
Yes, Saudi Arabia does allow tourist visas. In 2019, the country introduced a new electronic visa system that allows citizens of many countries to apply for visas online. Tourist visas are valid for up to one year and allow multiple entries.
I have additional questions about my travel itinerary and required documents.
You can contact us here
- Entry requirements – Saudi Arabia travel advice. (n.d.). GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia/entry-requirements [↩] [↩] [↩]
- Saudi eVisa | The Official website for Tourist Visa to Saudi Arabia. (2023c). Visa.visitsaudi.com. https://visa.visitsaudi.com/ [↩]
- 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/ [↩]
- Tourist Visa | The Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (2023). Www.saudiembassy.net. https://www.saudiembassy.net/tourist-visa [↩]
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Written by
James Abel Diego 
James Abel Diego is a content writer at Visas for Future who is an expert in travel and visa policies for Turkey, India, Colombia and Egypt. He is an Education graduate who is inclined with passion in writing informative content. He has been in several training sessions making him more of value in content and fulfilling customer orders efficiently. James maintains his understanding of visa processing by executing real visa orders once per quarter.
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.
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Cite this article
MLA Style
Diego, James Abel. "Which countries can visit Saudi Arabia without a visa?." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/saudi-arabia-visa-exempt-countries/. Accessed on 21 August 2023.
Chicago Style
Diego, James Abel. "Which countries can visit Saudi Arabia without a visa?." Visas For Future. August 21, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/saudi-arabia-visa-exempt-countries/.