Passport and Visa Requirements for Saudi Arabia

To apply for Saudi Arabia visa, you need to have a valid passport for three months after the visa expires; a digital photo which should be delivered in PDF format; e-mail address which is very important because this is the email in which your visa will be delivered; means of payment- several means of payment are acceptable such as credit or debit and PayPal. For more detailed information regarding the Saudi Visa requirments check below. 

Saudi Arabia Entry Requirements

The majority of travelers visiting Saudi Arabia, including those from the US, have to bear a passport and visa to enter. Among the visa-exempt countries are: Oman, UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Passport-holders from the aforementioned countries may enter Saudi Arabia with a national ID card. Besides visas for religious pilgrims (Hajj visas), Saudi Arabia never used to issue ordinary tourist visas. But as a means to improve the tourism industry in the country, the Saudi government has introduced the new Saudi Arabia online visa.

Travel & Passport Requirements – Saudi Arabia

Apart from visa-exempt nationals of Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and the UAE, all other foreign travelers, including US citizens, must show a valid passport with at least one blank page upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.

Following June 2017 disruptions in diplomatic relations, Qatar nationals are no longer allowed to enter Saudi Arabia. Likewise, citizens of Israel are denied entry, while travelers whose passport has been stamped by Israeli authorities may have their entry refused.

Validity of Passport / Travel Document

Saudi Arabia travel regulation requires that your passport is valid for at least 6 months, counting from the date you enter the country.

Saudi eVisa Nations

Australia
Austria
Andorra
Belgium
Bulgaria
Brunei
Canada
China
Cyprus
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States

Types of Visa for Saudi Arabia

Up until the introduction of the electronic visa, there never used to be a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia, making the Saudi eVisa the first of its kind.

Long-term visas, such as study visas and work permits, are already issued by Saudi Arabia. Among the most requested short-term visas for Saudi Arabia is the one for religious purposes, known as the Hajj visa.

Hajj Visa

Religions pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj can apply for the Hajj visa. Following the Hejirah calendar, applications for the Hajj visa are to be submitted from the 15th day of Shawwal until the 25th day of Dhu’l-Qa’dah.

Those who have done the pilgrimage within the past five years aren’t eligible for a Hajj visa. While women over the age of 45 may go to the Hajj unaccompanied, all other female pilgrims must travel with a family member above 18 years old.

Saudi Arabia Electronic Visa

The introduction of an eVisa represents a big turning point for the tourism of Saudi Arabia. Instead of applying for a visa at a Saudi consulate or embassy, travelers from the United States, Australia, Japan, as well as other eligible nations, can now fill an online application form.

Once the application has been processed, applicants will receive an official Saudi eVisa by email, allowing them to travel to Saudi Arabia by presenting the electronic visa and a valid passport.