Saudi Arabia eVisa Requirement Documents

We know the feeling—you are ready to book your dream trip to Riyadh or your spiritual journey to Mecca, but you pause at the application page. "Do I have the right photo size? Is my passport valid for long enough? What about this medical insurance rule?" The fear of a rejected application due to a simple missing file is very real.

The good news is that Saudi Arabia has drastically simplified its requirements for 2025. Whether you are a tourist from Europe, a resident of Dubai, or a US visa holder, the list of required documents is short, logical, and easy to gather—if you know exactly what to look for.

In this guide, we provide the definitive checklist for all three applicant categories. We also break down the tricky "200x200 pixel" photo rule, explain how the mandatory medical insurance works, and clarify the "Used Visa" requirement that trips up so many travelers.

The Universal Checklist (For Everyone)

Regardless of your nationality or how you apply, every single applicant must have these three core items ready before starting the form.

1. A Valid Passport

• Validity Rule: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of entry into Saudi Arabia.

• Pages: You should have at least 2 blank pages available for border stamps.

• Condition: Ensure the bio-data page (the one with your photo) is clean, legible, and not torn.

2. A Valid Email Address

• Your visa is a digital document (PDF). It will not be mailed to you. You must provide an email address that you can access immediately to receive the approval notification and the insurance policy.

3. A Payment Method

• Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay.

• Not Accepted: Cash, Checks, or PayPal (in some portals).

• Note: The card does not need to be in your name; you can use a friend or family member's card to pay the fee.

Category Specifics: Which Group Are You?

Depending on your eligibility route, you may need to upload extra evidence.

A. Standard Tourists (Eligible Countries)

• Who: Citizens of the USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.

• Extra Documents: None. You only need the universal list above and a digital photo. You generally do not need to upload bank statements or flight tickets.

B. GCC Residents (The "Iqama" Route)

• Who: Residents of UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar.

• Requirement 1: Valid Residency Card. You must upload a clear scan of your GCC Resident ID (e.g., Emirates ID, Saudi Iqama, Qatari ID).

• Vital Rule: Your residency must be valid for at least 3 months at the time of application.

• Requirement 2: Proof of Profession. Your profession on the ID must match the "Eligible Professions" list (e.g., Manager, Engineer, Doctor). If your ID does not show your profession, you may need to upload a visa page that does.

C. US, UK, & Schengen Visa Holders

• Who: Citizens of ineligible countries (e.g., India, Pakistan, Philippines) who hold a Western visa.

• Requirement 1: The Visa Scan. You must upload a scan of your valid tourist or business visa from the US, UK, or Schengen Zone.

• Requirement 2: The "Entry Stamp" Rule. You must prove that you have used this visa at least once to enter the issuing country.

• Example: If you have a brand new US visa that you haven't traveled on yet, you are not eligible for the Saudi eVisa. You must travel to the US first, get a stamp, and then apply.

The Photo Requirement (Where Most Fail)

The Saudi visa portal is notoriously strict about digital photos. 80% of application errors happen here.

• Dimensions: 200 x 200 pixels. The image must be square.

• File Size: 5KB to 100KB.

• Warning: Most smartphone photos are 3MB to 5MB. You must use an online compression tool to shrink the file size below 100KB, or the upload will fail.

• Background: Pure white. No patterns, no dark walls.

• Format: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, or .bmp.

• Composition: Face clearly visible, no glasses (recommended), no headwear (unless for religious purposes, and face must still be visible).

Mandatory Medical Insurance

Many applicants look for a place to upload their own travel insurance (like AXA or Allianz). You cannot do this.

• The Rule: Saudi law requires all tourists to purchase insurance from a government-approved local provider.

• The Process: You do not need to "find" this document. During the online application, the system will assign you a provider (such as Tawuniya, Bupa, or MedGulf).

• The Cost: The price is included in your total visa fee.

• The Result: Once your visa is approved, you will receive a separate PDF file which is your "Insurance Policy." Print this out along with your visa.

Accommodation Details

While you generally do not need to upload a booking confirmation PDF, you do need the details to fill out the form.

• Requirement: You must list an address in Saudi Arabia.

• For Tourists: Enter the name of your first hotel (e.g., "Ritz Carlton Riyadh").

• For Umrah: Enter the name of your hotel in Mecca or Medina.

• For Family Visits: Enter the residential address and phone number of your relative.

Documents to Carry at the Border

Getting the visa is Step 1. Passing the Immigration Officer is Step 2. Keep these physical copies in your hand luggage:

1. Printed eVisa: Do not rely on your phone battery. Keep a paper copy.

2. Printed Insurance Policy: Officers may ask to see this proof of coverage.

3. Return Flight Ticket: Proof that you intend to leave the Kingdom before your 90 days are up.

4. Proof of Funds: (Rarely checked) A bank app or credit card showing you can support your stay.

FAQ's