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Saudi Arabia e-Visa

e-Visa / ETA Middle East | Visit Saudi e-Visa

Last updated

August 7, 2026

✈️ Before You Go

For most passport holders—including Americans, Brits, Australians, and EU citizens—the Saudi e-Visa is your golden ticket to the Kingdom, but it’s not a same-day miracle. Real-world processing usually takes 2 to 5 business days, not the 'instant approval' some travel blogs promise. Apply at least a week before your flight, and double-check your passport’s validity (six months minimum). But a detail that trips up newcomers: The e-Visa isn’t just for tourism—it covers Umrah (non-Hajj) and short business trips, but you still need separate permits for photography in restricted areas or drone use. From frequent visitors: when you land, skip the paper arrival card—just scan your passport at the e-gate, but make sure your e-Visa is linked to your passport number exactly as printed. Also, carry a printed copy; some land border officials ask for it even if the system shows you approved.

⚠️ Important Notes

Application Window

Apply at least 1-2 weeks in advance. Most applications approved within 24-72 hours.

💰

Cost

Tourist e-Visa SAR 535 (approx. USD 140, incl. medical insurance). One-year multiple entry approx. USD 300.

Fees are subject to change — always confirm on the official site.

  • Tourist e-Visa fee (SAR 535, approx. USD 140) includes mandatory medical insurance — fees are clearly itemized before payment
  • Some nationalities can get a visa on arrival or are visa-exempt — check nationality eligibility at visa.visitsaudi.com first
  • Women can apply for an e-Visa independently — no male guardian required. Saudi Arabia has lifted female travel restrictions
  • One-year multiple entry visa with a maximum stay of 90 days per visit. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival
  • Only apply through the official visa.visitsaudi.com — avoid third-party agents charging excessive service fees
  • The Saudi eVisa website has bot protection — you may need to complete a CAPTCHA verification
  • ID photo must be recent (within 6 months), white background, meeting Saudi visa specifications — non-compliant photos will cause rejection
  • Visa fees are non-refundable after payment — even if your application is rejected. Review all information carefully before submitting
  • Travelers with Israeli visas or entry stamps in their passport may be denied entry — check your passport for Israel-related records before applying
  • Saudi Arabia strictly enforces dress codes — women must wear an abaya (robe) in public; men must wear long trousers (shorts are not accepted in public spaces)

📋 Application Field Guide

Field Name Tips & Notes
Passport Details

Passport Details

Upload a clear bio page; passport must be valid 6+ months beyond entry.
Personal Information

Personal Information

Must match the passport exactly — spelling differences cause refusal.
Photo Upload

Passport Photo

A recent white-background photo meeting official specs.
Insurance Selection

Insurance Selection

Mandatory medical insurance is bundled with the visa fee — confirm the plan during checkout.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

💡 Before You Start

Get these documents together first: your passport, with at least 6 months validity, a recent digital photo meeting specifications, and a valid credit/debit card for payment. Check your nationality's eligibility on the official website visa.visitsaudi.com, and apply at least 1-2 weeks before your intended travel date. Beware of third-party websites that charge extra fees; only use the official portal.

1

Account Creation & Login

2fields

Create a new account or log in to the Visit Saudi e-Visa portal to start your application.

Screenshot of step 1: Account Creation & Login

📸 About This Screenshot

This screenshot shows the latest official electronic entry card landing/login page. The step-by-step text guide below is based on the actual form structure, with detailed field instructions and common mistake warnings for your reference.

Email Address

emailRequired

Enter a valid email address that you check regularly. This will be used for all communications and to receive your e-Visa approval. Use a personal email, not a work email, to avoid access issues later.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using a typo in the email address, which prevents receiving the approval
  • Using a shared or temporary email that you cannot access later

Password

passwordRequired

Create a strong password with at least 8 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Do not use easily guessable information like your name or birthdate. Store it securely, as you will need it to check your application status.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using a weak password that is easy to guess
  • Forgetting the password and not storing it securely
2

Personal Information

4fields

Provide your full name, gender, date of birth, and nationality exactly as they appear on your passport.

Screenshot of step 2: Personal Information

📸 About This Screenshot

This screenshot shows the latest official electronic entry card landing/login page. The step-by-step text guide below is based on the actual form structure, with detailed field instructions and common mistake warnings for your reference.

Full Name (as on passport)

textRequired

Enter your full name exactly as it appears on your passport, including any middle names. Use the same order and spelling. Do not use nicknames or abbreviations. If your passport has a suffix (e.g., Jr., Sr.), include it if the form allows.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using a different name order or spelling than on the passport
  • Omitting a middle name that appears on the passport

Date of Birth

dateRequired

Select your date of birth using the date picker. Use the format DD/MM/YYYY. Ensure it matches your passport exactly. Double-check the day and month order to avoid errors.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Swapping day and month (e.g., 05/08 vs 08/05)
  • Selecting the wrong year due to a typo

Gender

radioRequired

Select your gender as indicated on your passport. Choose 'Male' or 'Female'. Note that Saudi Arabia allows women to apply independently without a male guardian, so there is no additional field for guardian information.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Selecting the wrong gender due to a misread
  • Assuming a guardian field exists and leaving it blank

Nationality

selectRequired

Select your nationality from the dropdown list. Choose the country that issued your passport. If you hold dual citizenship, use the passport you intend to travel with. Verify that your nationality is eligible for the e-Visa before proceeding.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Selecting the country of residence instead of nationality
  • Choosing a nationality that is not eligible for the e-Visa
3

Passport Details

4fields

Enter your passport number, issue and expiry dates, and country of issuance exactly as printed on your passport.

Screenshot of step 3: Passport Details

📸 About This Screenshot

This screenshot shows the latest official electronic entry card landing/login page. The step-by-step text guide below is based on the actual form structure, with detailed field instructions and common mistake warnings for your reference.

Passport Number

textRequired

Enter the passport number exactly as it appears on the machine-readable zone (MRZ) of your passport. It is typically alphanumeric. Do not include spaces or hyphens. Be careful with characters like 'O' (letter) and '0' (zero), and 'I' (letter) and '1' (one).

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Confusing the letter 'O' with the digit '0'
  • Adding spaces or hyphens that are not on the passport

Passport Issue Date

dateRequired

Select the date your passport was issued, as shown on the passport. Use the date picker and verify the format (DD/MM/YYYY). This date is usually found on the same page as your photo.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering the expiry date instead of the issue date
  • Using the wrong year due to a typo

Passport Expiry Date

dateRequired

Enter the expiry date of your passport. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of arrival in Saudi Arabia. If it expires sooner, renew your passport before applying.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering a passport that expires within 6 months of arrival
  • Mistyping the year (e.g., 2028 vs 2026)

Country of Passport Issuance

selectRequired

Select the country that issued your passport. This is usually the same as your nationality, but not always (e.g., if you have a passport from a different country). Choose from the dropdown list.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Selecting the country of residence instead of the issuing country
  • Choosing the wrong country due to similar names
4

Photo Upload

1fields

Upload a recent passport-style photograph that meets the specified requirements.

Screenshot of step 4: Photo Upload

📸 About This Screenshot

This screenshot shows the latest official electronic entry card landing/login page. The step-by-step text guide below is based on the actual form structure, with detailed field instructions and common mistake warnings for your reference.

Upload Photo

uploadRequired

Upload a recent color photograph (taken within the last 6 months) with a plain white or light background. The photo should be in JPEG or PNG format, at least 600x600 pixels, and no larger than 5 MB. Your face must be clearly visible, looking straight at the camera, with a neutral expression. Do not wear glasses or head coverings unless for religious reasons, and ensure no shadows on your face.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Uploading a photo with a colored or patterned background
  • Wearing glasses or having shadows on the face
5

Travel Details & Insurance

3fields

Provide your intended travel dates, port of entry, and confirm the mandatory health insurance coverage included in the visa fee.

Screenshot of step 5: Travel Details & Insurance

📸 About This Screenshot

This screenshot shows the latest official electronic entry card landing/login page. The step-by-step text guide below is based on the actual form structure, with detailed field instructions and common mistake warnings for your reference.

Intended Date of Arrival

dateRequired

Select the date you plan to arrive in Saudi Arabia. This should be within the validity of your e-Visa (typically 90 days from issue for single-entry, or one year for multiple-entry). Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond this date.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Selecting a date outside the visa validity window
  • Choosing a date that is too soon, not allowing enough processing time

Port of Entry (City)

selectRequired

Select the city where you will first enter Saudi Arabia, such as Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam. This should match your flight itinerary. If you are unsure, choose the city of your first arrival airport.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Selecting a city that is not your actual entry point
  • Choosing a city not listed in the dropdown, causing confusion

Insurance Selection

radioRequired

The mandatory health insurance is included in the visa fee (SAR 535). You will see a confirmation option to accept this coverage. Select 'Yes' to confirm that you understand and accept the insurance provided. There is no option to opt out.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Attempting to decline the insurance, which is not possible
  • Not reading the insurance details and later being surprised by coverage limits
6

Review, Declarations & Payment

2fields

Review all entered information, accept the declarations, and proceed to payment for the visa fee.

Screenshot of step 6: Review, Declarations & Payment

📸 About This Screenshot

This screenshot shows the latest official electronic entry card landing/login page. The step-by-step text guide below is based on the actual form structure, with detailed field instructions and common mistake warnings for your reference.

Declaration of Accuracy

radioRequired

Check the box or select 'Yes' to declare that all information provided is true, accurate, and matches your passport. Providing false information can lead to visa denial or entry refusal.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Skipping the declaration and not being able to proceed
  • Not double-checking the information before accepting

Payment Method

selectRequired

Select your preferred payment method (credit card, debit card, or other available options). The visa fee is SAR 535 (approximately USD 140) including insurance. Ensure your card has sufficient funds and is enabled for international transactions.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using a card without international transaction capability
  • Entering incorrect card details, leading to payment failure
Apply on Official Site
Free to use Last Confirmed: August 7, 2026

💬 Travel Experience Exchange

Applying or already traveled? Share your entry/exit experience, real problems encountered, or recent changes to help fellow travelers — our editors will also respond regularly.

  • Share pitfalls or surprises during your entry process
  • Let others know about recent entry procedure changes
  • Read the guide and warnings above before asking

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