Saudi Arabia eVisa
Everything you need to apply for your Saudi Arabia eVisa: the requirements, the documents, and the steps from start to approval.
Official Saudi Arabia government portalOverview
The Saudi Arabia Tourist eVisa is the Kingdom's online travel authorisation, applied for and issued through the official Visit Saudi portal. It is a full visa rather than a simple permit, and once approved it is valid for one year from issue, with multiple entries, allowing a stay of up to 90 days on each visit. You can use it for tourism, to attend events and concerts, for short business meetings, to visit family and friends, and to perform Umrah outside the Hajj season.
It does not authorise paid employment, study toward a qualification, or long-term residence, which require their own visa categories sponsored inside Saudi Arabia. Citizens of more than sixty eligible countries, including most of Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and many others, can apply online; nationalities outside that list apply through a Saudi diplomatic mission instead. The eVisa links to the passport you apply with, so you must travel on that same document, and your stay cannot exceed 180 days in total across a single one-year period.
The Hajj pilgrimage is governed by a separate permit system and is not covered by this service, which files the Tourist eVisa only. Your application is prepared in your own language, each entry is confirmed against your passport, and it is submitted to the Saudi authority so nothing is left to chance.
Requirements in detail
Gather these before you open the Saudi Arabia tourist eVisa form, so the application goes through on the first attempt. You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended arrival, with the personal details copied exactly from the photo page, so keep its number and its issue and expiry dates beside you. A recent digital passport-style photograph is required: a clear, high-resolution image on a plain light background, your face fully visible and centred, with no filters, heavy shadows or headwear that hides your features.
Have your accommodation in Saudi Arabia and a return or onward flight ready, and a working email address, which is where the approved eVisa is delivered. You pay one single all-inclusive price. The official charge through the Visit Saudi process is SAR 535, which bundles the government visa fee, a mandatory medical insurance policy for your stay and the platform processing charge; because that charge is set per nationality and trip, the exact amount on your receipt may be adjusted, and the official portion is itemised on your receipt.
Each traveller, including every child, needs their own eVisa.
What you'll need
Have these ready before you begin your application. Requirements can vary by nationality and trip purpose.
- Passport with at least six months validity
- Recent digital passport photograph
- Confirmed accommodation in Saudi Arabia
- Return or onward flight booking
- Email address for eVisa delivery
- Payment method (one all-inclusive price)
How to apply
Applying for the Saudi Arabia tourist eVisa is done entirely online, step by step. First, confirm the eVisa applies to you: citizens of more than 60 eligible countries can apply, including most of Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia, while nationalities outside that list apply through a Saudi diplomatic mission. Second, gather your passport, photograph and trip details as listed above.
Third, complete the online form, entering your name and passport number exactly as they appear in the passport, since a single mismatched character is the usual reason an application is delayed. Fourth, review the single all-inclusive price and pay; the application is checked for completeness before it reaches the Saudi authority. Finally, the approved eVisa arrives by email.
Carry both a printed copy and a digital copy, since the airline checks it at the gate and Saudi officers review it on arrival, and travel on the same passport you applied with.
On arrival
Carry both a printed copy and a digital copy of your approved eVisa when you travel. The airline checks your authorisation at the departure gate, and Saudi border officers review it again on arrival, so having the approval easy to show keeps both steps smooth. Travel on the exact passport you used to apply, because the eVisa is linked electronically to that document.
The authorisation lets you board and request entry, but the final admission decision rests with the border officer at your point of entry, who may ask briefly about your trip and your accommodation. Saudi Arabia observes conservative dress norms in public, so pack modest clothing that covers the shoulders and knees for both men and women, and keep your accommodation details and onward ticket within reach in case they are requested.
Government processing time
What the issuing authority typically takes once the application is submitted.
Government processing: the Saudi tourism eVisa authority typically decides within 1 to 2 business days of submission, and approvals often arrive even faster, sometimes the same day. VisitPass review: Standard under 24h; Priority under 6h; Urgent under 30 min. Although turnaround is usually quick, plan ahead and apply well before your departure, ideally a week or more, so a busy period, a public holiday or a query about your details never puts your trip at risk.
The application is submitted to the authority and the confirmation issued by email.
At a glance
- Validity
- 1 year
- Maximum stay
- 90 days per visit
- Entry type
- Multiple
Who can apply
Available to citizens of more than 60 countries through the Saudi visa.visitsaudi.com portal. Tourist eVisa is valid for one year with multiple entries up to 90 days per visit and 180 days total. Hajj and Umrah visas are issued through separate religious-visa channels and are not covered by this service.
Is this the official application?
VisitPass is an independent travel-document service, not a government website and not affiliated with the Saudi government. Your application is routed through the official Visit Saudi process, the official charge is paid in full to the Saudi authority and itemised on your receipt; the service fee covers preparing the application, reviewing it for completeness before submission, and email support. You can always apply directly on the official portal yourself; many travellers choose a guided form to complete it in their own language and have it checked before it is sent.
The decision to grant the eVisa rests solely with the Saudi government.
Saudi Arabia help desk
Have questions about your eVisa? Email the Saudi Arabia desk and we reply within 24 hours.
saudi@visitpass-online.comVisitPass is an independent visa-application service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government. Government fees go directly to the issuing authority and are listed separately in your receipt.