Saudi Arabia eVisa Rejection: Common Reasons & How to Fix Them (2026)

Seeing the application status change to "Rejected" is every traveler’s worst nightmare. In a split second, not only is your upcoming trip to the Kingdom in jeopardy, but you also realize that the non-refundable government fee—often exceeding $140—is gone forever.

The frustrating reality is that 90% of Saudi eVisa rejections are not due to security bans or criminal background checks. Instead, they are caused by simple, entirely avoidable administrative errors—like a blurry digital photo, a typo in your passport number, or a misunderstood eligibility rule.

In this guide, we expose the top 5 reasons for rejection in 2025, explain the strict "Used Visa" rule that catches out so many Western visa holders, and tell you exactly what steps to take next to fix your application and save your travel plans.

Reason #1: The Digital Photo (The Top Culprit)

In the automated world of eVisas, a human doesn't always check your photo first—an AI does. If your photo doesn't meet the exact digital specifications, the system auto-rejects it immediately.

• File Size Error: The Saudi portal has a strict limit of 100KB. Most smartphone photos are 2MB to 5MB. If you upload a file that is too large, or one that has been compressed so much it becomes pixelated/blurry, you will be rejected.

• Dimensions Error: The required aspect ratio is a Square (200 x 200 pixels). Uploading a standard rectangular passport photo often leads to the system cutting off your chin or forehead during the auto-crop process.

• Background Error: The background must be Pure White. Off-white, cream, or light blue backgrounds are frequently rejected.

• The Fix: Do not guess. Use a professional photo compression tool to resize your image to exactly 200x200px and under 100KB before uploading.

Reason #2: The "Name Mismatch" Error

Your application data must match the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of your passport—those two lines of code at the very bottom of your ID page (e.g., P<GBRSMITH<<JOHN<<<<<).

• Missing Middle Names: If your passport reads "John Albert Smith" but you only type "John Smith" in the application, this triggers a mismatch.

• The "0" vs "O" Typo: This is a classic mistake. Passport numbers almost always use the Number Zero (0). Many applicants accidentally type the Letter "O". To a computer system, these are two completely different people, leading to immediate rejection.

Reason #3: Eligibility Errors (Group B & C)

This section applies to "Conditional" applicants (e.g., Indian, Pakistani, or Filipino citizens applying via Western Visas or GCC Residency).

For Western Visa Holders (Group B):

The most common rejection reason here is the "Used Visa" Rule.

• The Rule: To be eligible, your US, UK, or Schengen visa must be valid AND it must have been used at least once to enter the issuing country.

• The Rejection: If you have a brand new US visa that does not have an entry stamp on it, you are not eligible for the Saudi eVisa. You will be rejected if you apply.

For GCC Residents (Group C):

• The Rule: Your GCC residency (Iqama/Emirates ID/Civil ID) must be valid for at least 3 months from the date you apply.

• The Rejection: If your residency expires in 2 months, the system will verify this with the Gulf database and reject your application automatically.

Reason #4: Previous Overstays or Bans

The Saudi immigration system is centralized. It remembers your history.

• The Issue: If you traveled to Saudi Arabia years ago (perhaps for Umrah or work), overstayed your visa, and left without paying the fine or resolving the issue, your profile is flagged.

• The Result: The system will auto-reject any new eVisa application until the previous violation fines are settled.

Reason #5: Incorrect "Religion" Selection

While this reason is less common, it impacts data consistency during manual reviews.

• The Issue: While non-Muslims are welcome in Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering the Holy City of Mecca.

• The Rejection: If a non-Muslim applicant selects "Umrah" as their specific purpose of visit, it creates a conflict in the system logic. While the Tourist visa covers Umrah, the profile data must be consistent.

The Financial Consequence: Do I Get a Refund?

This is the hardest part to hear.

• Government Policy: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) generally does not refund visa fees or insurance fees for rejected applications. Once you click "Pay," that money (~$140+) is consumed by the processing attempt.

• Agency Policy: If you applied through a private processing service (like ours), check the terms. Many reputable agencies offer "Rejection Protection" where they refund their service fee if the government denies the visa.

What To Do If Rejected? (Steps to Fix)

If you receive the dreaded email, don't panic. Follow these steps:

• Step 1: Identify the Reason. Sometimes the rejection email is vague ("Administrative Reject"), but sometimes it is specific ("Invalid Photo Background"). Read it carefully.

• Step 2: Can I Re-apply? Yes. A rejection is not a permanent ban. If the rejection was due to a typo or bad photo, you can start a brand new application immediately.

• Warning: You will have to pay the full government fee again.

• Step 3: The Embassy Route. If you fix the errors and are rejected a second time, or if you suspect the rejection is due to a name similarity with a banned individual, do not apply online a third time. You must visit the nearest Saudi Consulate or Tasheer/VFS Center to apply for a visa in person, where you can explain your case to an officer.

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