Visa policy of Saudi Arabia

Last updated
Saudi entry stamp received at Jeddah Airport Saudi Arabia Entry Stamp.jpg
Saudi entry stamp received at Jeddah Airport
Saudi exit stamp received at Jeddah Airport Saudi Arabia Exit Stamp.jpg
Saudi exit stamp received at Jeddah Airport

Visitors to Saudi Arabia must obtain a visa, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries.

Contents

Some visitors are eligible to obtain a visa online or on arrival while others needs to apply at one of the Saudi diplomatic missions in advance. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.

Passport stamp received at Medina Airport in 2019 that reads 'He is not allowed to perform Umrah and Hajj', highlighting Saudi Arabia's visa restrictions at that time. Until 2020, non-Umrah visa holders were not permitted to perform the rites of Umrah. Saudi Hajj Umrah visit visa stamp 2019.jpg
Passport stamp received at Medina Airport in 2019 that reads 'He is not allowed to perform Umrah and Hajj', highlighting Saudi Arabia's visa restrictions at that time. Until 2020, non-Umrah visa holders were not permitted to perform the rites of Umrah.

Visa policy map

Visa policy of Saudi Arabia .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Saudi Arabia Freedom of movement Electronic Visa Waiver Visa on arrival or eVisa Visa required Admission refused Visa policy of Saudi Arabia.svg
Visa policy of Saudi Arabia
  Saudi Arabia
  Freedom of movement
  Electronic Visa Waiver
  Visa on arrival or eVisa
  Visa required
  Admission refused

Freedom of movement

Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries enjoy freedom of movement in Saudi Arabia and may enter with a national ID card. [2]

Non-ordinary passports

Holders of diplomatic, official or service passport of the following countries may enter without a visa for 90 days (unless otherwise stated):

1 - Indefinite Stay
2 - 90 days within any 180 days
3 - 30 days

Agreements were signed with Azerbaijan and Solomon Islands in October 2024, Tajikistan in September 2024, Kyrgyzstan in March 2024, Cyprus and Uzbekistan in April 2024 and Kosovo in January 2024 and are pending ratification. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW)

Nationals of the following countries may obtain an electronic visa waiver (EVW) instead of a visa:

On the 2nd of August 2023, the Twitter account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that with immediate effect Saudi Arabia launched an electronic visa waiver for citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to enter Saudi Arabia. [9]

The waiver can be used for single-entry with a maximum stay of 6 months. The waiver can be used for tourism, business, education and medical reasons, according to the published infographic.

E-Visa or Visa on arrival

Sample of Saudi Umrah eVisa Saudi eVisa.jpg
Sample of Saudi Umrah eVisa

Saudi Arabia started to issue tourist visas online and on arrival from 28 September 2019. Holders of passports of the following countries / territories can obtain an e-Visa online for a fee prior to arrival or on arrival to Saudi Arabia and this visa is valid for 90 days: [10] [11]


Substitute visa

Since January 2020, holders of a US, UK or Schengen visas have been eligible for a Saudi eVisa upon arrival, as long as the other visa is still valid and it has been used at least once to travel to the respective country/area. [12] [13] [14] This eligibility is only permissible through airlines based in Saudi Arabia, such as Saudia, Flynas and Flyadeal. [15] [16]

History

On 1 September 2022, a decree was announced allowing residents of GCC countries to apply for Saudi e-Visas online and residents of the United States, United Kingdom and European Union may apply for a visa on arrival. [17]

On 6 August 2023, Saudi Arabia announced the expansion of its visitor e-visa scheme to the nationals of eight countries: [18]

On 17 October 2023, Saudi Arabia added 6 new countries to e-visa pool: [19]

In May 2024 Saudi Arabia added 3 new countries to eVisa eligibility: [20]

Saudi Arabia is considering issuing eVisas to Vietnamese visitors to boost tourism. [21]

For a period of time, citizens of Qatar were banned from entering Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain unless they were married to a local person. (Qatar–Saudi Arabia diplomatic conflict) [22] [23]

Admission refusal

Since the introduction of the e-visa program in September 2019, the Ministry of Tourism mentions on their website that having an Israeli stamp on the passport does not disqualify someone from visiting Saudi Arabia. [24]

Saudi Arabia does issue special visas for some important Israeli business ventures. [25]

Hajj visas

A special visa category exists for pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia on the Hajj. Applications are encouraged to be done via licensed travel agents and are being accepted between 14th Shawwal and 25th Dhu al-Qadah. [26]

Muslim female passengers arriving to perform Umrah [27] or Hajj must either be accompanied by an immediate male family member such as a father, brother, husband, or son, who must be aged 18 years or older; or be over 45 years of age and travelling within a group of female passengers of the same age, who are accompanied by a group leader until their departure.

Development of tourist visas

In December 2013 Saudi Arabia announced its intention to begin issuing tourist visas for the first time in its history. Council of Ministers entrusted the Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities with visa issuing on the basis of certain regulations approved by the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs. [28] A limited tourist visa programme was cancelled in March 2014. [29] In December 2014 the Saudi Arabian authorities reiterated that tourist visas will not be reintroduced. However, in April 2016, former Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef announced that plans to start issuing tourist visas as part of Vision 2030, which aims to diversify Saudi economy and leading it away from an oil dependent economy. Saudi Arabia has welcomed Uber and Six Flags parks in its initial steps towards amplifying the tourism sector. [30] In November 2017 it was announced that Saudi Arabia would begin issuing tourist visas and online application in 2018. [31]

Non-Muslims (of whatever nationality) are not allowed to travel to the City of Mecca and the City Centre of Medina.

Full rules were expected to be published by the end of March 2018. [32] In March 2018 the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage announced that the bylaws were ready for adoption and that they would be published by the end of the first quarter of 2018. [33] [34]

On September 25, 2018, the General Sports Authority announced the "Sharek International Events Visa" (SIEV), an electronic visa issued concurrently with the purchase of a ticket for qualifying special sporting events, concerts or cultural festivals through sharek.sa. [35] [36] The "Sharek" visa allows visitors to enter Saudi Arabia in order to attend the event and its validity ranges from a few days before and after the event itself. Applicants will be able to obtain single-entry, single-exit 30-day visas online for 640 riyals (170.65 USD) and enter from any port of entry. It was reported by the UAE news agency WAM that the Kingdom is set to open the eVisa system to general visitors holding passports from the United States, all Schengen (EU) countries, Australia, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore with more countries to be added later. [37]

On 2 March 2019, Saudi Arabia announced a new visa category that will be issued for foreign visitors to attend sport, entertainment and business events in the country. [38]

On March 5, 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported, "Saudi officials plan to allow citizens of the U.S., much of Europe, Japan and China either visa-free access to the kingdom for tourism or a visa on arrival by the end of [2019]," according to people involved in the effort to introduce these visa reforms. "The effort is meant to make visiting Saudi Arabia about as easy as traveling to neighboring Arab tourist hot spots such as Dubai." [39] [40]

On September 27, 2019, Saudi Arabia introduced an e-visa program, allowing people from 49 countries to visit, by applying for a visa ahead of their trip or on arrival. Single entry visa allows a full month stay, while multiple entry visas allow to stay for up to three months. The visa cost 440 Saudi riyals (117 USD), including a health insurance fee. The tourists visiting the country will be obliged to follow the regulations that Saudi Arabia has mentioned on its travel website. [41]

In October 2019, Saudi Arabia modified its policy for the tourists, and announced that it will allow foreign men and women to share hotel rooms without proving they are related. Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage said that only Saudi nationals would be asked for family ID or proof of relationship on checking into hotels. Besides, all women, including Saudis, were permitted to book and stay in hotel alone by providing ID on check-in. [42]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travel visa</span> Authority to enter, stay in, or exit a territory

A visa is a conditional authorization granted by a polity to a foreigner that allows them to enter, remain within, or leave its territory. Visas typically include limits on the duration of the foreigner's stay, areas within the country they may enter, the dates they may enter, the number of permitted visits, or if the individual can work in the country in question. Visas are associated with the request for permission to enter a territory and thus are, in most countries, distinct from actual formal permission for an alien to enter and remain in the country. In each instance, a visa is subject to entry permission by an immigration official at the time of actual entry and can be revoked at any time. Visa evidence most commonly takes the form of a sticker endorsed in the applicant's passport or other travel document but may also exist electronically. Some countries no longer issue physical visa evidence, instead recording details only in immigration databases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Australia</span> Policy on permits required to enter Australia and its external territories

The visa policy of Australia deals with the requirements that a foreign national wishing to enter Australia must meet to obtain a visa, which is a permit to travel, to enter and remain in the country. A visa may also entitle the visa holder to other privileges, such as a right to work, study, etc. and may be subject to conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa requirements for Polish citizens</span> Administrative entry restrictions

Visa requirements for Polish citizens are public health and administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Poland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in Saudi Arabia</span>

Saudi Arabia is the second biggest tourist destination in the Middle East with over 16 million visiting in 2017. Although most tourism in Saudi Arabia still largely involves religious pilgrimages, there is growth in the leisure tourism sector. As the tourism sector has been largely boosted lately, the sector is expected to a significant industry for Saudi Arabia, reducing its dependence on oil revenues. This is proved as tourism sector is expected to generate $25 billion in 2019. Potential tourist areas include the Hijaz and Sarawat Mountains, Red Sea diving and a number of ancient ruins.

Most visitors to Indonesia may obtain a visa on arrival to Indonesia, unless they are a citizen of one of the visa-exempt countries. However, some countries must obtain a visa in advance from one of the Indonesian diplomatic missions before being allowed to enter Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa requirements for Saudi citizens</span> Requirements for citizens of Saudi Arabia travelling internationally

Visa requirements for Saudi citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Saudi Arabia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa requirements for Indian citizens</span> Visa requirement policy for Indian citizen

Visa requirements for Indian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa requirements for Cypriot citizens</span> Administrative entry restrictions

Visa requirements for Cypriot citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Cyprus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa requirements for Lithuanian citizens</span> Administrative entry restrictions

Visa requirements for Lithuanian citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed on citizens of Lithuania by the authorities of other states. As of 5 November 2024 Lithuanian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 185 countries and territories, ranking the Lithuanian passport 9th, tied with Estonian passport and Emirati passport in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Turkey</span> Policy on permits required to enter Turkey

The visa policy of Turkey deals with the requirements that a foreign national wishing to enter Turkey must meet to be permitted to travel to, enter and remain in the country.

The visa policy of Malaysia consists of the requirements for foreign nationals to travel to, enter, and remain in Malaysia. Most visitors to Malaysia are granted visa-free entry for a period of 90, 30, or 14 days respectively. However, nationals from some countries must first obtain a visa from one of the Malaysian diplomatic missions around the world before being allowed into the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of the United Arab Emirates</span> Policy on permits required to enter the United Arab Emirates

The visa policy of the United Arab Emirates allows citizens of certain countries to enter the United Arab Emirates without a visa. Citizens of certain other countries must obtain a visa from one of the UAE diplomatic missions. Alternatively, they may obtain an online visa through Smart Service or airlines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Azerbaijan</span> Policy on permits required to enter Azerbaijan

Visitors to Azerbaijan must obtain a visa from one of the Azerbaijani diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries, or citizens eligible for an electronic visa on arrival, or citizens eligible for an electronic visa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of India</span> Policy on permits required to enter India

Visitors to India must obtain a visa unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries. Nationals of certain countries may obtain a visa on arrival or an e-Visa online, while others must obtain a visa from an Indian diplomatic mission.

The e-Government in Saudi Arabia was established as per Royal Decree No. 7/B/33181 dated 7 September 2003. The e-Government was created by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. In 2005, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology created the e-Government Program Yesser with the ministry of finance and the Communications and Information Technology Commission. The portal offers around 2500 services for people of Saudi Arabia. The main goal of the service is to facilitate the transactions of citizens, residents and visitors by providing a quick and sufficient assistance. Moreover, Yesser contributes to encouraging governmental agencies in achieving a sustainable progress by improving efficiency and capacity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa requirements for Slovenian citizens</span> Administrative entry restrictions

Visa requirements for Slovenian citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed on citizens of Slovenia by the authorities of other states. As of July 2024, Slovenian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 184 countries and territories, ranking the Slovenian passport 10th overall in terms of travel freedom, according to the Henley Passport Index.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Oman</span> Policy on permits required to enter Oman

Visitors to Oman must obtain a visa prior to travel unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Syria</span> Policy on permits required to enter Syria

Visitors to Syria must obtain an e-Visa in advance, unless they are a national of a visa-exempt country or a country whose citizens are eligible to obtain visas on arrival. Visitors can obtain a visa from one of the Syrian diplomatic missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Hajj and Umrah</span> Government ministry in Saudi Arabia which is tasked with Hajj and Umrah related issues

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MHU) (Arabic: وزارة الحج والعمرة) is a government ministry in Saudi Arabia which is responsible for supervising the facilitation of essential services to the pilgrims arriving in the country for Hajj and Umrah purposes, including overseeing their secure transportation and movement to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa requirements for German citizens</span> Administrative entry restrictions

Visa requirements for German citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Germany.

References

  1. ↑ None. "Expats alert: You can now perform Umrah on Saudi visit visa". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  2. ↑ "Visa and passport". Timatic . International Air Transport Association through Emirates . Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "x.com".
  4. ↑ "x.com".
  5. ↑ "x.com".
  6. ↑ "x.com".
  7. ↑ Saudi Arabia & Solomon Islands Establish Visa Exemption Agreement for Diplomatic Passport Holders
  8. ↑ Saudi Arabia: Signs Visa Exemption Agreement With Azerbaijan
  9. ↑ "KSAMOFA". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  10. ↑ "Saudi Arabia eVisa".
  11. ↑ "The National News - New Saudi Arabia Tourist Visas".
  12. ↑ "GACA allows entry of Schengen, UK and US visa holders irrespective of nationalities". 2 January 2020.
  13. ↑ "Saudi visa on arrival for tourists with UK, US, EU visas". Arab News. 2020-01-04. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  14. ↑ "Saudi Arabia Visa and Passport Requirements".
  15. ↑ Desk, GDN Online. "KSA: Saudi clarifies new entry visa regulations". www.gdnonline.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  16. ↑ "لا دخول لحاملي تأشيرة الشينقن وأمريكا وإنجلترا للمملكة إلا عبر الطيران السعودي فقط". صحيفة سبق الإلكترونية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  17. ↑ Desk, Saudi Gazette (September 2022). "Saudi Arabia introduces amendments to tourist visa program, enables GCC residents of applying online". saudigazette.com.sa. Retrieved 2022-09-01.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  18. ↑ "Saudi Arabia expands visitor e-visa program to 8 countries". Arab News. 2023-08-06. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  19. ↑ "Saudi Arabia adds 6 new countries to e-visa pool". Arab News. 2023-10-17. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  20. ↑ "Saudi Arabia Expands Electronic Visa Access to Include Three New Countries". 9 May 2024.
  21. ↑ "Saudi Arabia considers granting e-visas to Vietnamese tourists" . Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  22. ↑ "Qatar crisis: What you need to know". 2017-06-06. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  23. ↑ "Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain cut ties to Qatar". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  24. ↑ "It is possible to visit KSA with an Israeli stamp on the passport?". Visit Saudi. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
  25. ↑ "Israeli passport? Saudi Arabia welcomes you". Globes. 2022-05-30. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  26. ↑ "Hajj and Umrah Tourist Visas". www.saudia.com. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  27. ↑ Gannon, Martin Joseph; Baxter, Ian W. F.; Collinson, Elaine; Curran, Ross; Farrington, Thomas; Glasgow, Steven; Godsman, Elliot M.; Gori, Keith; Jack, Gordon R. A. (2017-06-11). "Travelling for Umrah: destination attributes, destination image, and post-travel intentions" (PDF). The Service Industries Journal. 37 (7–8): 448–465. doi:10.1080/02642069.2017.1333601. ISSN   0264-2069. S2CID   54745153.
  28. ↑ "Tourist visas to be introduced". Arab News. December 6, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Saudi suspends tourist visa scheme - Arabian Business: Latest News on the Middle East, Real Estate, Finance, and More". www.arabianbusiness.com. March 20, 2014.
  30. ↑ "No tourist visas for foreigners". Arab News. December 27, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Saudi Arabia: Eyeing on Issuing Tourist Visa and Online Application by 2018 - Kwentong OFW". www.kwentongofw.com. November 25, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Saudi Arabia to announce tourist visa regulations within two months".
  33. ↑ "SCTH: Bylaws for tourist visas complete". Saudigazette. March 31, 2018.
  34. ↑ SCTH: Tourist visa details and regulations will be announced soon
  35. ↑ "General Sports Authority on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
  36. ↑ "Saudi Arabia to offer visitor visa for special events from December". U.S. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
  37. ↑ "Saudi to open e-visa service to tourists". Gulf Business . 2018-12-18. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  38. ↑ "Saudi Arabia steps up tourism push with new visas". Arab News. 2019-03-02. Retrieved 2019-03-02.
  39. ↑ "Cloistered Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Aims to Ease Entry for Tourists". Wall Street Journal. 2019-03-05. Retrieved 2019-03-05.
  40. ↑ "Saudi Arabia set to offer visa-free entry to travelers from U.S. and other countries". MarketWatch. 2019-03-05. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
  41. ↑ "Saudi Tourist Visa Program Brings Another Dent on Vision 2030". Mirror Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  42. ↑ "In a first, Saudi Arabia allows foreign men and women to share hotel rooms". NYK Express. Retrieved 5 October 2019.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.