Posted inCulture & Society

How to apply for a Saudi tourist visa

Citizens of 49 countries can receive visas on arrival in the kingdom

Ahmad Al Khatib speaks during Saudi Open Hearts Open Doors Tourist Visa Launch Event at the At Turaif District in Ad Diriyah  in Riyadh
Ahmad Al Khatib speaks during Saudi Open Hearts Open Doors Tourist Visa Launch Event at the At Turaif District in Ad Diriyah in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia began offering tourist visas for the first time on Friday, offering e-visas and visas on arrival to citizens of 49 countries.

To apply for an e-visa, one must register at www.VisitSaudi.com and fill out an online application.

Requires documents include a passport with a validity of more than 6 months from the time of arrival in the kingdom, and an address where one is staying. Visa on arrival will also require a hard copy of the visa, although a soft copy is advised.

Most European countries are included on the list, as is the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and a number of East Asian countries such as China, Japan and South Korea. 

A full list of countries whose nationals are eligible for e-visas can be found below. Nationals of countries that are not included on the list are encouraged to get in touch with the nearest Saudi embassy.

The e-visas are valid for one year and allow for multiple entries. Tourists can spend up to 90 days in the country on each visit. Consulate-approved visas will also require return tickets, proof of employment, a bank statement, and other supporting information.

The e-visas and visa on arrival are both prices at SAR 440 (AED 430.8) plus VAT. A fee of SAR 100 will be applied for each day that a visitor overstays their visa.

North AmericaCanadaUS

EuropeSwitzerlandIrelandLiechtensteinLithuaniaMonacoAndorraRussiaMaltaMontenegroSan MarinoUkraineUnited KingdomPortugalPolandAustriaBelgiumBulgariaRomaniaSlovakiaCroatiaCyprusCzech RepublicSpainSwedenDenmarkEstoniaFinlandNorwayLuxembourgFranceGermanyGreeceSloveniaHollandHungaryIcelandItalyLatvia

AsiaBruneiJapanSingaporeMalaysiaSouth KoreaKazakhstanChina (Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan)

OceaniaAustraliaNew Zealand

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