Saudi Tourist Visa: eVisa Eligibility, Fees, and Rules

The Saudi tourist eVisa covers citizens of 66 countries. It runs for one year, with stays of up to 90 days per visit. GCC citizens need no visa at all, and Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were removed from the eligible list in April 2025.

What the Saudi Tourist eVisa Actually Covers?

Scope matters here, since assuming too much leads to a rejected entry purpose.

The eVisa permits tourism, attending events, visiting family or friends, and performing Umrah outside Hajj season. It explicitly does not permit work, study, or Hajj itself, each of which needs its own dedicated visa, as set out in the Saudi visa types guide.

Who Is Actually Eligible?

The eligible list has grown since 2019, but it has also shrunk in places, which most guides do not mention.

The programme launched with 49 countries in September 2019. Eight more were added in August 2023, including Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and South Africa.

Two of those additions did not last. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were removed from the eligible list in April 2025. Any guide still listing them as eVisa-eligible is out of date.

As of 2026, the list covers 66 countries in total. Confirm your specific nationality on the official Visit Saudi platform before assuming eligibility from any third-party list, including this one.

GCC Citizens Need No Visa At All

This is a distinct category from the eVisa, not a variant of it.

Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE can enter using their National ID card alone. They can stay up to 90 days. No visa application of any kind applies to this group.

This differs from GCC residents of other nationalities living in a Gulf country. They use a separate eVisa route, covered in the Saudi visa for GCC residents guide.

Online eVisa vs Visa on Arrival: The Real Cost Difference

This surprises people who assume pre-booking online is always cheaper.

The online eVisa costs around SAR 535, applied through the official portal in advance. Visa on arrival, available to the same eligible nationalities at major airports, runs closer to SAR 480.

The difference comes down to a platform fee charged only on the online route. Visa on arrival skips that charge, since it is paid directly at the airport counter by card.

Pro Tip: With firm travel dates, visa on arrival at Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam can save a small amount. Applying online costs slightly more.

Where Visa on Arrival Is Available?

Three major international airports currently offer this option.

Three airports operate this counter. King Khalid (RUH) in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz (JED) in Jeddah, and King Fahd (DMM) in Dammam.

Both routes require the same underlying eligibility. Visa on arrival is a convenience option, not a separate eligibility category.

Duration and Entry Rules

The eVisa is a genuinely flexible product once issued, not a single-use ticket.

It runs for one year from issuance, permitting multiple entries within that period. Each individual visit is capped at 90 days, regardless of how many entries you use across the year.

If Your Country Is Not on the List

This route exists for exactly this situation, and it is slower by design.

Citizens of countries not on the eVisa list apply for a sticker visa at a Saudi embassy or consulate instead. This follows the standard consular process rather than the instant online route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many countries are eligible for the Saudi tourist eVisa?

As of 2026, 66 countries are eligible. This list has changed over time, including two countries removed in April 2025, so confirm current eligibility before applying.

Do GCC citizens need a Saudi tourist visa?

No, citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE can enter using their National ID card alone. This is separate from the eVisa system entirely.

Is visa on arrival cheaper than the online eVisa?

Yes, visa on arrival runs closer to SAR 480 compared to roughly SAR 535 online. The difference is a platform fee charged only on the online application route.

Can I perform Umrah on a tourist eVisa?

Yes, outside Hajj season specifically. The eVisa does not permit Hajj itself, which requires a separate dedicated visa.

Final Thoughts

The eligible country list is more dynamic than most guides suggest. Genuine additions and removals have happened over the past few years.

Treat any list, including this one, as a starting point rather than a final answer. Confirm directly on the official platform before booking.

The online-versus-arrival cost gap is small but real. It is worth knowing before you default to the online route out of habit.

Last verified: September 2026

Reviewed by: Roman Shah

Source: Visit Saudi platform; Saudi Ministry of Tourism

Note: eligible countries, fees, and visa on arrival availability are subject to change without much notice. Confirm your specific nationality’s status directly on the official Visit Saudi platform before travel.