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Eligible Countries for Saudi Arabia Visa

Saudi Arabia's eVisa is available to citizens of around more then 50 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and all European Union members. The eVisa allows tourists to visit Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days. It offers a convenient alternative to the visa on arrival process and can be obtained through an online application.

Important information:

  • Saudi Arabia has a visa policy that determines who can enter the country and the type of visa required.
  • Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members have visa exemption.
  • The eVisa is the easiest way for most travelers to visit Saudi Arabia for tourism.
  • The eVisa can be obtained online without visiting an embassy.
  • Around 50 countries, including the US, UK, Japan, and EU members, are eligible for the eVisa.
  • An alternative is the visa on arrival, but it can be a lengthy process.
  • Both eVisa and visa on arrival allow a stay of up to 90 days.
  • Non-eligible countries and those staying longer than 90 days need to apply for a consular visa.
  • Israelis are currently prohibited from entering Saudi Arabia.
  • Special Hajj visas are available for the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.
  • A comprehensive list of Saudi travel regulations for all countries is available.

Tourist Visa Policy for Saudi Arabia

Tourists who plan to visit Saudi Arabia must obtain a visa before entering the country. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Here's what you need to know about the visa requirements for tourists in Saudi Arabia:

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Visitors

Visitors from other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) do not need to apply for a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. This exemption allows for easy travel between these countries.

Electronic Visa (eVisa) for Tourism

For tourists from around 50 sovereign states and countries, Saudi Arabia offers an electronic visa (eVisa) for tourism purposes. This streamlined process allows visitors to apply online before their trip.

The eVisa permits tourists to stay in the country for a maximum duration of 90 days. It is a convenient and efficient way to obtain a visa and explore the wonders of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia eVisa: Eligible Countries

The Saudi Arabian eVisa is an electronic visa for tourism purposes. It can be easily obtained online, eliminating the need to visit an embassy in person. Around 50 countries, including the EU member states, the USA, Canada, China, and the UK, are eligible for the eVisa. It allows a maximum stay of 90 days and is valid for 365 days from the date of issue. The online application form is quick to complete, requiring personal and passport details, as well as security-related questions.

Below is the complete list of countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for the Saudi Arabia eVisa:

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Saudi eVisa Designated Ports of Entry

When traveling to Saudi Arabia with an approved tourist eVisa, it is important to enter the country through designated ports of entry. The following airports, land checkpoints, and seaports are valid for entry with a Saudi online visa:

Airports:

  1. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh
  2. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah
  3. King Fahd International Airport in Dammam
  4. Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina

Land Checkpoints:

  1. King Fahd Bridge (Bahrain – Saudi Arabia crossing)
  2. Al Batha (Emirates – Saudi Arabia crossing)

Please note that these are the approved entry points for travelers holding a Saudi eVisa.

No Visa Required for Entry into Saudi Arabia

Currently, nationals of five sovereign states enjoy visa exemption for Saudi Arabia. All five countries are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), just like Saudi Arabia itself. The GCC consists of the following countries:

Below is the comprehensive list of nationalities that enjoy visa exemption when visiting Saudi Arabia:

Citizens of all GCC member states may visit Saudi Arabia without a visa, as it is a benefit of GCC membership. Below is the list of nationalities who enjoy visa exemption for visiting Saudi Arabia.

Visa Exemption for Saudi Arabia Under Special Circumstances

As a general rule, foreign nationals, excluding citizens of the 4 GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and United Arab Emirates), are required to obtain a valid visa in order to enter Saudi Arabia.

Visa Exemption for French Diplomats and Certain Officials

However, there is an exemption for French diplomats and specific officials who can visit Saudi Arabia without a visa. This exemption applies to those who hold a diplomatic passport or a similar official passport. They are permitted to enter the country without the need for a visa.

Please note that this exemption is limited to French diplomats and certain officials, and it may not apply to individuals holding regular passports from France or other countries.

Entry to Saudi Arabia Denied

Currently, Saudi Arabia's visa policy restricts the entry of nationals from Israel. As part of the Arab League boycott of the Jewish state, holders of Israeli passports are prohibited from visiting Saudi Arabia.

  • Saudi Arabia has implemented a visa ban for nationals of Israel.
  • Israeli passport holders are not allowed to enter Saudi Arabia.
  • This restriction is a result of the Arab League boycott of Israel.

Exceptions for Qatari Citizens

Qatari Muslims may enter Saudi Arabia only if they are performing the Hajj pilgrimage. Nationals of Qatar are periodically banned from entering the country. This has been the case since diplomatic relations were severed in 2017. Prior to this, Qataris could visit Saudi Arabia without a visa.

Hajj Pilgrimage

As an Islamic country, Saudi Arabia allows Muslims with a Qatari passport to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. The Hajj takes place during a specific time of the year, from the 8th to 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic calendar. During this period, Qatari Muslims are permitted to enter Saudi Arabia to participate in the Hajj.

Passport Holders Required to Obtain Visas through Saudi Arabian Diplomatic Missions

Traveling to Saudi Arabia requires specific documentation, including visas for certain nationalities. Not all passport holders are eligible to apply for an online visa or an eVisa for Saudi Arabia. This article provides an overview of nationalities that need to apply for a traditional visa through a Saudi Arabia embassy or consulate.

Below is the list of nationalities that need to apply for a Saudi Arabia visa through an embassy or consulate:

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Please note: this list is not exhaustive and is subject to change. It's essential to check with the Saudi embassy or consulate in your home country or your travel agent for the most current information.

Application Process

The application process for obtaining a traditional visa can be time-consuming and requires specific documentation. It is important to plan well in advance of your travel dates to ensure all necessary paperwork is in order.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Mandatory Insurance Policy is a compulsory requirement for entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. When applying for the Saudi online visa, applicants are automatically granted this mandatory insurance, which is linked to the eVisa upon approval. The Saudi Arabian government assigns an insurance provider randomly during the processing of the eVisa.

Completing the Saudi visa application online usually takes just a few minutes. The eVisa for Saudi Arabia is typically processed within a few working days, often even sooner.

An approved eVisa for Saudi Arabia remains valid for a total of 365 days or 1 year from the date of issue.

Eligible citizens can apply for an electronic visa to Saudi Arabia by completing a simple online application form. Once approved, the Saudi eVisa will be sent to the applicant via email.

To ensure sufficient processing time, applicants should submit their Saudi Arabia visa application online at least a few business days before the intended date of arrival.

In most cases, the processing of the Saudi tourist eVisa application takes only a few minutes. However, it is advisable to apply at least a few days in advance of the intended arrival date in case of any potential delays in processing.

To apply for the Saudi Arabian online visa, you need a passport from an eligible country that is valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry. Additionally, you need to provide a recent passport-style photograph of the applicant.