How do I apply for a Saudi Arabia tourist visa?

Apply online at evisa.visa.gov.sa. You will need a valid passport (at least 6 months remaining validity), a passport-sized photo, payment by credit or debit card (approximately USD 135), and basic travel information. Approval typically comes within 24 hours. The eVisa is a digital document - you do not need a physical stamp, though printing a copy is advisable.

Which countries can get a Saudi Arabia tourist eVisa?

As of 2026, citizens of 49 countries can apply for the Saudi tourist eVisa online. These include most Western European countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and others. The list has been expanding - check the official Saudi visa portal (evisa.visa.gov.sa) for the current country list, as it changes.

How long can I stay in Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa?

The Saudi tourist eVisa allows up to 90 days per visit, with multiple entry over a 12-month validity period. You can make multiple trips within the 12-month validity as long as each individual stay does not exceed 90 days.

Can I visit Mecca and Medina on a tourist visa?

Medina can be visited by Muslim tourists on a standard tourist eVisa. Mecca cannot be entered on a tourist visa - access requires an Umrah or Hajj visa, which is issued specifically for pilgrimage purposes. Non-Muslims cannot enter Mecca or Medina under any visa type.

Saudi Arabia Visa Guide | The Saudi Guides

Q: Do US citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

Yes, US citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia, but the process is fully online and straightforward. The US is one of 49 eligible nationalities for the Saudi tourist eVisa. Apply at evisa.visa.gov.sa - cost is approximately USD 135 (includes mandatory health insurance), approval is typically within 24 hours, and the visa allows multiple entries over 12 months with stays of up to 90 days per visit.

Saudi Arabia’s tourist visa programme launched in September 2019 and opened the country to international visitors for the first time in its modern history. The eVisa system is straightforward and efficient - most eligible nationalities receive approval within 24 hours.

The Tourist eVisa

Who can apply: Citizens of 49 countries can apply for the Saudi tourist eVisa online. The list includes the USA, UK, most EU countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and others. The list is updated periodically - check evisa.visa.gov.sa for the current eligible country list.

Cost: Approximately USD 135 (includes mandatory health insurance). Prices may vary slightly by nationality and are subject to change.

Validity: 12 months from issue date, multiple entry.

Duration of stay: Up to 90 days per visit.

How to apply:

Go to evisa.visa.gov.sa
Select your nationality and complete the application form
Upload a passport-sized photo and scan of your passport
Pay by credit or debit card
Receive your eVisa by email (usually within 24 hours)

Print or save the eVisa to your phone. Most airports will check it at check-in and arrival.

Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Saudi Arabia?

Yes - US citizens must obtain a visa before entering Saudi Arabia, but the process is fast, fully online, and requires no embassy visit. The United States is among the 49 nationalities eligible for the Saudi tourist eVisa.

eVisa for US citizens - key details:

Detail	What to know
Cost	Approximately USD 135 (includes mandatory health insurance)
Validity	12 months from issue, multiple entry
Stay per visit	Up to 90 days
Processing time	Typically within 24 hours; allow 3–5 business days before travel
Application	Online only at evisa.visa.gov.sa - no consulate visit required

What US citizens need to apply:

US passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure from Saudi Arabia
Digital passport photo (format specified on the portal)
Credit or debit card for payment
Basic travel details (accommodation, planned itinerary)

Once approved, you’ll receive the eVisa by email. Save it to your phone and bring a printed copy - airlines check it at check-in and Saudi immigration will verify it on arrival.

Things US citizens should be aware of:

The eVisa does not permit entry into Mecca - non-Muslims are prohibited regardless of nationality
Alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia; this applies fully to US citizens, with no diplomatic exemption
Travel near the Yemeni border (Najran, Jizan) is not advised - the US State Department’s advisory covers this area specifically
The eVisa includes basic health insurance; consider additional travel insurance for extended coverage (see travel insurance for Saudi Arabia)

For current eligibility and to apply, visit the official Saudi visa portal at evisa.visa.gov.sa. Regulations change - verify before booking.

Saudi Arabia Visa for UK Citizens

UK citizens need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, but the process is entirely online with no embassy visit required. The United Kingdom is one of the 49 nationalities eligible for the Saudi tourist eVisa.

eVisa for UK citizens - key details:

Detail	What to know
Cost	Approximately USD 135 (includes mandatory health insurance) as of 2026
Validity	12 months from issue, multiple entry
Stay per visit	Up to 90 days
Processing time	Typically within 24 hours; allow 3–5 business days before travel
Application	Online only at evisa.visa.gov.sa - no consulate visit required

What UK citizens need to apply:

UK passport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended departure from Saudi Arabia
Digital passport photo in the format specified on the portal
Credit or debit card for payment
Basic travel details including accommodation

Things UK citizens should know:

The eVisa does not permit entry into Mecca - non-Muslims are prohibited regardless of nationality
Alcohol is completely illegal in Saudi Arabia; no exemptions apply to British nationals
Travel near the Yemeni border is not advised - check the FCDO at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia before booking
The FCDO rates most of Saudi Arabia as safe for travel, with the Yemeni border zone as the primary exception

Saudi Arabia Visa for Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. Canada is included among the 49 nationalities eligible for the Saudi tourist eVisa, making the entire process fully online.

eVisa for Canadian citizens - key details:

Detail	What to know
Cost	Approximately USD 135 (includes mandatory health insurance) as of 2026
Validity	12 months from issue, multiple entry
Stay per visit	Up to 90 days
Processing time	Typically within 24 hours; allow 3–5 business days before travel
Application	Online only at evisa.visa.gov.sa - no consulate visit required

What Canadian citizens need to apply:

Canadian passport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended departure
Digital passport photo in the required format
Credit or debit card for payment
Basic travel and accommodation details

Things Canadian citizens should know:

Non-Muslims cannot enter Mecca or Medina on a tourist eVisa - this applies to Canadian nationals equally
Alcohol is completely prohibited in Saudi Arabia; no exceptions apply
Canada-Saudi diplomatic relations have experienced periods of tension but have no impact on tourist entry eligibility as of 2026 - verify at travel.gc.ca before booking
Travel near the Yemeni border is not recommended - check the Government of Canada advisory at travel.gc.ca

Saudi Arabia Visa for Australian Citizens

Australian citizens need a visa before entering Saudi Arabia. Australia is among the 49 eligible nationalities for the Saudi tourist eVisa, meaning the entire application is handled online with no consulate visit needed.

eVisa for Australian citizens - key details:

Detail	What to know
Cost	Approximately USD 135 (includes mandatory health insurance) as of 2026
Validity	12 months from issue, multiple entry
Stay per visit	Up to 90 days
Processing time	Typically within 24 hours; allow 3–5 business days before travel
Application	Online only at evisa.visa.gov.sa - no consulate visit required

What Australian citizens need to apply:

Australian passport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended departure from Saudi Arabia
Digital passport photo in the format specified on the portal
Credit or debit card for payment
Basic travel details including planned accommodation

Things Australian citizens should know:

Non-Muslims cannot enter Mecca or Medina on a tourist visa - no exceptions by nationality
Alcohol is illegal across Saudi Arabia; no exemptions apply to Australian nationals
DFAT Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au) carries current advisories - check before booking, particularly regarding the southern border region near Yemen
Saudi Arabia has become a growing destination for Australian travellers, particularly for AlUla heritage tours and Red Sea diving

Saudi Arabia Visa for German Citizens

German citizens need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. Germany is one of the 49 nationalities eligible for the Saudi tourist eVisa, with the full application available online without a consulate visit.

eVisa for German citizens - key details:

Detail	What to know
Cost	Approximately USD 135 / EUR 125 (includes mandatory health insurance) as of 2026; EUR equivalent varies
Validity	12 months from issue, multiple entry
Stay per visit	Up to 90 days
Processing time	Typically within 24 hours; allow 3–5 business days before travel
Application	Online only at evisa.visa.gov.sa - no consulate visit required

What German citizens need to apply:

German passport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended departure from Saudi Arabia
Digital passport photo in the required format
Credit or debit card for payment
Basic travel and accommodation details

Things German citizens should know:

Non-Muslims cannot enter Mecca or Medina on a tourist eVisa - this applies equally to German nationals
Alcohol is completely illegal in Saudi Arabia; no exceptions apply to European nationals
The Auswärtiges Amt (auswaertiges-amt.de) carries a partial travel warning for Saudi Arabia covering border areas near Yemen - the main tourist destinations (Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla) are not affected by the warning
Check the Auswärtiges Amt portal for the current advisory level before booking

Visa on Arrival

Some nationalities (primarily GCC member state nationals) can enter Saudi Arabia without a visa or receive a visa on arrival. Citizens of the UK and selected other countries may qualify for visa on arrival in some circumstances - verify with the Saudi embassy or the official visa portal before travel.

Hajj and Umrah Visas

Hajj and Umrah visas are separate from the tourist eVisa and are issued specifically for Muslim pilgrims.

Umrah Visa: Available year-round (except during the Hajj season when some restrictions apply). Apply through authorised Umrah travel agents in your country, or via the Nusuk platform (nusuk.sa) - Saudi Arabia’s official pilgrimage portal. The Umrah visa permits travel to Mecca and Medina.

Hajj Visa: Issued only for the annual Hajj pilgrimage (Dhul Hijjah 8–13 in the Islamic calendar). Apply through your country’s Ministry of Hajj affairs or an authorised Hajj operator. A quota system limits the number of pilgrims from each country. Apply early - quotas fill months in advance.

See the Hajj guide and Umrah guide for pilgrimage-specific planning.

Entry Requirements

Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Saudi Arabia.

Health insurance: The Saudi tourist eVisa includes mandatory basic health insurance in the application fee.

Israeli passport holders: Saudi Arabia does not admit holders of Israeli passports. This restriction has been the subject of diplomatic discussions but was still in place as of 2026.

Other restrictions: Check current Saudi regulations for any nationality-specific requirements.

Arrival and Border Formalities

Saudi Arabia uses biometric fingerprinting at immigration. Bring your printed or digital eVisa, your passport, and your accommodation confirmation. Immigration queues at King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) and King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh) can be long - allow 1–2 hours after landing.

For current visa information, always verify at the official Saudi visa portal or your country’s embassy website before booking travel. Visa regulations change. For tour bookings and guided experiences, see our Saudi Arabia tours page.

Plan Your Trip

✈️ Book your flights to Saudi Arabia 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car

Saudi Arabia Visa Guide: Tourist eVisa, Hajj Visas and Entry Requirements