Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa: E-Visa Application and Entry
Apply for your Saudi Arabia tourist e-visa online and enter the Kingdom for sightseeing, Umrah, or events. Covers e-visa eligibility, application process, fees, dress code, and tips for first-time visitors.
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Visa Types and Eligibility
Apply for the tourist e-visa if your nationality is eligible
Citizens of 49 countries including the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea can apply for the Saudi tourist e-visa. The e-visa is a multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year, allowing stays of up to 90 days per visit and 180 days total per year. The list of eligible nationalities has expanded significantly since 2019 when Saudi Arabia first opened to tourism.
Get a visa on arrival if eligible and flying through specific airports
Citizens of e-visa eligible countries can also obtain a visa on arrival at major Saudi airports including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. The process takes 15-30 minutes and costs the same as the e-visa. Having the e-visa approved before travel is faster at the airport but visa on arrival works as a backup option.
Apply at the Saudi embassy if your nationality requires a formal visa
Citizens of countries not on the e-visa eligible list must apply at the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate. The process requires an invitation letter, hotel bookings, return flight, bank statements, and an interview. Processing takes 5-15 business days. Hajj and Umrah visas are separate categories with different requirements and quotas.
E-Visa Application Process
Apply online at the official Visit Saudi Visa Portal
The official portal is visa.visitsaudi.com. Create an account with your email and personal details. The form takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Have your passport, digital passport photo, accommodation details, and credit card ready. The system processes applications 24/7.
Upload a digital passport photo with white background
The photo must be recent (within 6 months), JPEG format, 200x200 pixels minimum. White background, neutral expression, no glasses, no head covering except for religious reasons. The automated system checks photo compliance and rejects non-standard images immediately. Use a passport photo app for correct formatting.
Pay the e-visa fee of 480 SAR including insurance
The e-visa costs 300 SAR (80 USD) for the visa plus 180 SAR (48 USD) for mandatory health insurance, totaling 480 SAR (128 USD). Payment is via credit or debit card. The health insurance provides basic medical coverage during your stay. The fee covers the full 1-year multiple-entry visa.
Receive your approved e-visa via email within minutes
Most e-visa applications are approved instantly or within 30 minutes. Some applications are referred for manual review, which takes up to 24 hours. The approved visa is emailed as a PDF with a QR code. Save it on your phone and print one copy. The e-visa is linked to your passport electronically.
Entry and Customs
Present your passport and e-visa at immigration
King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh), King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah), and King Fahd International Airport (Dammam) are the main international gateways. Biometric data (fingerprints and facial scan) are collected at immigration. Processing takes 5-15 minutes with the e-visa. Have your hotel booking accessible for potential questions.
Declare items above duty-free limits at customs
Duty-free allowances include personal effects and gifts up to 3,000 SAR in value. Alcohol is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia. Importing pork products, pornographic material, and religious materials other than personal copies is banned. Prescription medications require a doctor's letter and must be in original packaging. E-cigarettes are legal to bring in for personal use.
Download the Tawakkalna app required for some services
Tawakkalna is Saudi Arabia's official app for health and identity verification. While pandemic restrictions have eased, some government buildings, events, and services still check the app. Download it before arriving and register with your passport details. The app is available in English and Arabic.
During Your Stay
Follow Saudi dress code expectations in public
Saudi Arabia relaxed its dress code for tourists but modesty is still expected. Men should wear trousers and shirts in public (no shorts above the knee in government buildings or malls). Women are no longer required to wear an abaya but should cover shoulders and knees. Swimwear is appropriate only at hotel pools and designated beach areas. The dress code is more relaxed in Riyadh and Jeddah than in conservative areas.
Respect prayer times when shops and restaurants close
Businesses pause during the five daily prayer times, each lasting 20-30 minutes. Malls, restaurants, and shops close briefly for each prayer. Maghrib prayer (sunset) and Isha prayer (evening) affect dinner timing. Major restaurants in tourist areas and hotel restaurants remain open. The Athan (prayer call) from mosque speakers marks each prayer time.
Use ride-hailing apps for transportation
Uber and Careem operate in all major Saudi cities. Rides are affordable: a 20-minute ride in Riyadh costs 15-30 SAR (4-8 USD). Public transport is limited outside of Riyadh, which has a new metro system. Women can drive and use ride-hailing services independently. Car rental requires an international driving permit.
Practical Tips
Get a local SIM card for data and navigation
STC, Mobily, and Zain sell tourist SIM cards at airport kiosks. A SIM with 20-50 GB of data costs 75-150 SAR (20-40 USD) for 30 days. Registration requires passport scanning. Data coverage is excellent in cities and along major highways. Coverage in desert areas like AlUla and the Empty Quarter can be limited.
Note that alcohol is prohibited throughout Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia prohibits the sale, purchase, and consumption of alcohol throughout the country. There are no bars, clubs, or liquor stores. Hotels do not serve alcohol. Non-alcoholic beer and mocktails are widely available. Importing alcohol results in confiscation and potential legal consequences including fines.
Carry cash for smaller shops and markets
As of 2026, 1 USD equals approximately 3.75 SAR (the riyal is pegged to the dollar). Credit cards and mobile payments (Apple Pay, mada pay) are widely accepted at malls, restaurants, and chain stores. Souks, street vendors, and smaller shops prefer cash. ATMs are abundant in all cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Saudi Arabia tourist visa cost?
The tourist e-visa costs 480 SAR (128 USD), which includes the 300 SAR visa fee and 180 SAR mandatory health insurance. The visa is valid for 1 year with multiple entries, up to 90 days per visit and 180 days total per year. Visa on arrival costs the same. The fee is non-refundable even if the visa is not used.
Can women travel alone in Saudi Arabia?
Women can travel alone to Saudi Arabia without a male guardian. Women can drive, book hotels independently, use ride-hailing apps, and move freely. The dress code is relaxed for tourists but modesty is expected. Saudi Arabia has undergone significant social reforms since 2019. Solo female travelers report feeling safe in major cities and tourist areas.
Can I visit Mecca and Medina on a tourist visa?
Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. This applies to all visa types including tourist visas. The restriction is actively enforced with checkpoints on roads leading to both cities. Muslim visitors on tourist visas can perform Umrah in Mecca by obtaining a free Umrah permit through the Nusuk app.
What is there to see in Saudi Arabia as a tourist?
Saudi Arabia offers diverse attractions: AlUla with its 2,000-year-old Nabataean tombs (Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Edge of the World cliff near Riyadh, Jeddah's historic Al-Balad district, the Farasan Islands coral reefs, Diriyah's UNESCO-listed Turaif district, and modern entertainment zones in Riyadh and Jeddah. The country has invested heavily in tourism infrastructure since opening to tourists in 2019.