Saudi Arabia Tourist eVisa

Planning a trip to the Middle East used to involve mountains of paperwork, invitation letters, and stressful embassy interviews, making the dream of visiting the Kingdom feel like an administrative nightmare before the journey even began.

The Saudi Tourist eVisa has simplified everything. It is a fully digital travel authorization that allows eligible travelers to enter the Kingdom for tourism, family visits, business events, and even Umrah, without ever having to leave their couch or visit a consulate.

This guide covers everything you need to know to secure your pass to the Kingdom: we break down the 1-year validity rule, clarify exactly who is eligible under the new 2025 regulations, and walk you through how to complete the application in under 10 minutes.

What is the Tourist eVisa?

The Tourist eVisa is an electronic travel authorization linked directly to your passport.

Validity: It is valid for 1 Year (365 Days) from the date of issue.
Entry Type: It is a Multiple Entry visa. This means you can fly in and out of Saudi Arabia as many times as you like during that year.
Stay Limit: You can stay for a maximum of 90 days per visit.

What Can You Do With It?

The "Tourist" label is a bit misleading because this visa actually covers almost every non-work activity:

✅ Tourism: Sightseeing, road trips, and festivals.
✅ Umrah: You can perform the Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca and visit Medina.
✅ Family Visits: Visit relatives or friends living in KSA.
✅ Business: Attend meetings, conferences, and trade fairs.
❌ Prohibited: You cannot perform Hajj (which requires a specific Hajj visa) and you cannot undertake Paid Work.

Who Is Eligible? (The 3 Groups)

Most travelers fall into one of these three categories:

Group 1: Eligible Nationalities: Citizens of over 60 countries (including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, EU nations, Japan, China, etc.) can apply directly.
Group 2: Visa Holders: Citizens of any country (e.g., India, Pakistan) are eligible if they hold a valid tourist or business visa from the USA, UK, or Schengen Zone that has been used at least once.
Group 3: GCC Residents: Residents of UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar with eligible professions can apply.

Requirements Checklist

Before applying, ensure you have:

Valid Passport: Must have at least 6 months of validity remaining.
Digital Photo: A white background photo (under 100KB size).
Age: You must be 18+ to apply alone. Minors must apply with a parent.

How to Apply (The 3-Step Process)

Fill the Online Form: Enter your personal details and passport information.
Pay the Fee: The payment includes the visa fee, service fee, and the Mandatory Medical Insurance required by Saudi law.
Download: Once approved (usually within 24 hours), the visa is sent to your email as a PDF. Print it out and keep it with your passport.

Cost & Processing Time

Government Cost: The official cost (Visa + Insurance + Tax) is typically around $140 - $150 USD, depending on the insurance provider assigned.
Processing Time:

Standard: 24 - 48 Hours.
Rush: Less than 24 Hours.
Super Rush: 6 – 12 Hours

FAQ's

Generally, no. To stay longer, you must leave the country and re-enter (which resets your 90-day counter) or apply for a new visa if your year is up.

No. The Saudi government includes mandatory medical insurance (covering COVID-19 and emergencies) in the visa fee. You will receive the policy document along with your visa.

Yes. You can use the eVisa to enter via airports, seaports, and land borders (e.g., driving from UAE or Bahrain).