Saudi Arabia Tourist eVisa & Visa on Arrival: The Complete 2026 Guide

Planning a trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2026? Whether you are traveling for tourism, visiting family, attending events, or performing Umrah, the Saudi Tourist eVisa and Visa on Arrival (VoA) are the fastest, easiest, and most popular ways to enter the country.

Best of all? No sponsor, no profession check, and no salary proof is required.

At KSA Guruji, we’ve broken down everything you need to know to get your visa approved smoothly.

Table of Contents

✨ Key Benefits at a Glance

Visa Type: Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa
Validity: 1 Year (365 days) from the date of issuance
Maximum Stay: Up to 90 days per entry (You can leave and re-enter as many times as you like within the year)
Purpose: Tourism, family/friend visits, business meetings, events, and Umrah (excluding the official Hajj season)
Sponsor Required? No.

✅ Who is Eligible to Apply?

You can apply for the Saudi Tourist eVisa or Visa on Arrival if you fall into any of these three categories:

Citizens of 60+ Eligible Countries: Includes the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, most Schengen/EU countries, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and more.
Holders of Valid US, UK, or Schengen Visas: If your country is not on the eligible list, you can still get a Visa on Arrival if you hold a valid, previously used tourist or business visa from the US, UK, or any Schengen country.
GCC Residents: Expats legally residing in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, or Oman can apply for the tourist eVisa using their valid GCC residency (Iqama) ID, regardless of their passport nationality.

(Note: Israeli passport holders are currently not eligible for this visa).

💰 Transparent Cost Breakdown

The Saudi government has made the pricing highly standardized and transparent:

Total Fee: SAR 535 (Approx. $142 USD)
What’s Included: This single fee covers both the visa issuance cost and mandatory health insurance (providing up to 100,000 SAR in medical coverage during your stay).
KSA Guruji Tip: There are no hidden “service fees” if you apply directly through the official government portal.

📄 Required Documents Checklist

Keep these ready before you start your application:

Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
Digital Photograph: A recent, clear, passport-style photo with a white background (neutral expression, no glasses).
Valid Email Address: To receive your approved eVisa PDF.
Payment Method: A valid international credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) to pay the SAR 535 fee.
For Visa on Arrival / GCC Residents: Physical proof of your valid US/UK/Schengen visa (must show an entry stamp from that country) OR your original, valid GCC residency (Iqama) card.

📝 Step-by-Step Application Process

Option A: Tourist eVisa (Recommended – Apply Before Travel)

Go to the official portal: visa.visitsaudi.com
Create an account using your email address.
Fill out the application form with your personal details, passport information, and travel plans.
Upload your digital passport photo and a clear scan of your passport bio page.
Pay the SAR 535 fee securely online.
Processing Time: Approval is usually granted within 24 to 72 hours. You will receive the eVisa as a PDF via email. Print a copy or save it on your phone to show at immigration.

Option B: Visa on Arrival (VoA) (Apply at the Airport)

Fly into any major Saudi international airport (e.g., Riyadh RUH, Jeddah JED, Dammam DMM).
Before passport control, locate the “Visa on Arrival” self-service kiosks or dedicated counters.
Scan your passport and your valid US/UK/Schengen visa (or GCC Iqama) at the kiosk.
Pay the SAR 535 fee using a credit/debit card (Note: Cash is often not accepted at kiosks).
The machine will print your visa receipt, and you will proceed to the passport control officer for final stamping.

⚠️ What You CAN and CANNOT Do

✅ YOU CAN:

Travel freely across all cities in Saudi Arabia.
Perform Umrah at any time outside the official Hajj dates (book your slots via the official Nusuk app).
Attend business meetings, concerts, or sporting events.
Drive using a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) or a valid license from certain approved countries.

❌ YOU CANNOT:

Perform Hajj: The tourist visa is strictly invalid for Hajj. You must obtain a dedicated Hajj visa through an authorized travel agent.
Work or Seek Employment: Engaging in any paid or unpaid work is strictly prohibited and can lead to immediate deportation.
Overstay: Saudi Arabia strictly enforces visa limits. Overstaying beyond the permitted grace period results in heavy fines, deportation, and a potential travel ban.