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Electronic visaThe Saudi Arabia e-Visa is a genuine electronic visa issued by the Saudi government, authorising stays of up to 90 days within a one-year validity period. Whether for tourism, a family visit, an event or the Umrah pilgrimage, this digital document considerably simplifies access to a country that was long closed to international travellers. Obtain it before booking your flight — a step that is strongly recommended.
01 · The essentials
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date in Saudi Arabia, regardless of the option chosen.
Medical insurance is mandatory for any stay — it is automatically selected by the Saudi government and its cost is included in the consular fees.
The entire process is carried out online: form, payment and receipt of the document by email, with no visit to an embassy.
Unlike travel authorisations such as ETA or ESTA — reserved for nationals exempt from visa requirements — the Saudi e-Visa is a full visa, applied for online by foreigners wishing to stay in Saudi Arabia. It is linked to your passport number and is not stamped in its pages. Its validity runs for 365 days from the date of issue, or until the expiry of the associated passport if that date comes first.
During this one-year validity period, it authorises cumulative stays of up to 90 days, spread across as many trips as you wish. It is therefore a multiple-entry visa, ideal if you are planning several visits to Saudi Arabia over the same period.
Visit Riyadh, AlUla, the Red Sea, the historic sites of the Hejaz and many other wonders.
Reunite with family or friends living in Saudi Arabia.
Attend cultural, sporting or professional events open to tourists.
Perform the minor pilgrimage — the Hajj requires a specific visa obtained through an embassy or accredited agency.
02 · Eligibility
The Saudi e-Visa is open to many nationalities, with the exception of nationals of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, who enter Saudi Arabia without a visa. Other nationalities, however, must go through the Saudi embassy to obtain a standard visa.
For travellers of Moroccan or Algerian nationality, specific conditions apply: you must be under 60 years of age and hold a valid visa (at least one year, used at least once) for the Schengen area, the United States or the United Kingdom. Tunisian nationals are currently experiencing difficulties obtaining the e-Visa. In all cases, verify your eligibility at the time of your application.
Travellers eligible for the e-Visa may also, depending on their nationality, obtain their visa directly on arrival at a Saudi airport, via dedicated terminals (card payment only). This option is also available to holders of a permanent residence permit or a valid US, UK or Schengen visa. However, it is strongly advised to apply for the e-Visa in advance to avoid any complications on arrival.
During the Hajj month, e-Visa issuance is suspended from 20 March 2026, and the deadline for entering Saudi territory is set at 3 April 2026. Entry dates from 20 March 2026 to 24 May 2026 are therefore blocked in the application form. Plan your trip accordingly.
The Saudi e-Visa covers the Umrah pilgrimage, but not the Hajj. If you wish to perform the major pilgrimage (Hajj), you must contact a Saudi embassy or accredited agency to obtain a specific Hajj visa. If you select the "Umrah Pilgrimage" purpose on the e-Visa, the document will bear the mention "Tourism" — this is a normal situation recognised by the Saudi authorities.
03 · The procedure
Tourism, event, visit to relatives or Umrah pilgrimage — select the purpose that corresponds to your stay. The travel dates indicated can be modified afterwards: the e-Visa is valid for 1 year.
Enter your surname and given names (as they appear on your passport), your passport number, your planned arrival and departure dates. For a family trip, each member — including minors — requires a separate application.
Payment is made online by bank card. The consular fees automatically include the mandatory Saudi medical insurance, selected by the Saudi government. You do not need to take out a separate policy.
After payment, send a photocopy of your passport (currently valid, valid for at least 6 months after your arrival) and a colour identity photo. These are the only two documents required.
Processing time varies from a few minutes to several days. The e-Visa is sent to you by email. It does not need to be printed in most cases, but some travellers may be asked to present a paper copy on arrival.
Present yourself at the airport with your passport and, if necessary, a copy of the e-Visa. The authorisation is linked to your passport number: any change of passport before the trip requires a new application.
If your e-Visa is lost or misplaced, you can request to have it resent by email. This service is entirely free of charge.
In the event of a refusal by the Saudi authorities, the alternative procedure is to submit an application directly on arrival at the airport, or to contact the competent Saudi embassy.
04 · Documents & conditions
The Saudi e-Visa application requires only two supporting documents: your passport (currently valid) and a recent colour identity photo. No hotel booking or return ticket needs to be provided — this is one of the major simplifications offered by this electronic system.
However, your passport must meet a strict requirement: it must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date in Saudi Arabia. If your passport expires before the end of this period, renew it before submitting your application. The e-Visa is linked to your passport number: a passport renewal requires a new application.
Saudi medical insurance is mandatory for any stay in Saudi Arabia. The good news: the Saudi government automatically selects one when issuing your e-Visa, and its cost is included in the consular fees. You do not need to take out an additional policy on your own initiative.
For business travel, the e-Visa cannot be used. You will need to submit a standard visa application at the competent Saudi embassy or consulate, which involves a more comprehensive file and a longer processing time.
05 · Transits & special cases
If you have a stopover in Saudi Arabia, the rules vary depending on the duration and the airline:
| Transit situation | Visa required | Exit from transit zone possible |
|---|---|---|
| Stopover < 12 h, same airline | No | No |
| Stopover < 12 h, different airline | Transit visa (embassy) | No |
| Stopover between 12 h and 96 h | Transit visa or stopover visa | Possible depending on conditions |
| Stay > 96 h | Tourism e-Visa recommended | Yes |
Summary of transit rules in Saudi Arabia according to stopover duration.
Saudi airlines offer a 96 h transit visa at the time of booking a ticket. The process is entirely online and free — it is carried out directly on the airline's website. Beyond 96 hours, the stay is no longer considered a transit and the tourism e-Visa is the appropriate solution.
If you stop in Saudi Arabia as part of a cruise, the e-Visa is possible depending on your nationality. Check the rules when preparing your port of call.
If your e-Visa expires during your stay, you will need to go to the Saudi immigration office to apply for a new document. Plan ahead for the expiry date and, if possible, travel well before the deadline.
Saudi Arabia can be visited by people of all faiths — with the exception of the cities of Mecca and Medina, to which access is strictly reserved for Muslims. If you are planning a religious stay, check in advance which areas are accessible based on your situation.
Regarding Zamzam water: if you wish to perform the Umrah pilgrimage and access the holy sites without restriction, you should apply for an Umrah or Hajj visa through the embassy or a Saudi consulate. The export of Zamzam water in bottles to your home country is prohibited for all travellers, regardless of the type of visa.
06 · Before you leave
Saudi Arabia can be complex when putting together an application for a family trip with minors: each child must have their own e-Visa, linked to that of an accompanying adult. In addition, the country places great importance on its cultural identity, and restrictions apply to immigration conditions — particularly during the Hajj period, during which e-Visa issuance is suspended.
The Saudi Arabia e-Visa is a multiple-entry electronic visa, valid for one year, covering cumulative stays of 90 days for tourism, family visits, events or the Umrah pilgrimage. It is straightforward and quick to obtain, with only two supporting documents required. The mandatory medical insurance is included in the consular fees. Be aware, however, of the blocked periods during the Hajj and the specific requirements for family applications with minors. The Hajj itself requires a separate standard visa, obtained exclusively through an embassy or accredited agency.
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