Saudi Arabia has many different options when it comes to types of visas. They are all tailored for different purposes of travel, such as tourism, studies, or religious pilgrimage. Depending on your travel requirements and eligibility, it is essential that you apply for the correct KSA visa. This guide is going to break down the types of Saudi Arabia visas, helping you better understand the option that fits your travel needs. Understanding the right visa for you will save time and simplify the process as you move forward.

Overview of the Saudi Visa System

The KSA Visa system process has been modernized exponentially in the last couple of years. There is a range of visas accommodating various travel purposes. One of the biggest differences between the different types of visas is whether they are short-term visas or long-term visas, and the number of allowed entries.

  • Short-Term Visa Short-term visas are perfect for tourism, business purposes, visiting friends and family, and religious pilgrimage. Some examples of Saudi short-term visas are the Tourist eVisa, Business Visa, and the Umrah Visa.
  • Long-Term Visa Long-term visas are ideal for employment, residency, or extended stays. Some examples of long-term visas are the Work Visa, Student Visa, or Premium Residency.
  • Saudi Arabia Single-Entry Visa Depending on your visa, you may only be permitted a single entry. If you have this, once you enter KSA, you cannot exit and reenter using the same visa.
  • KSA Multiple-Entry Visa Some visas will permit multiple entries. With this, you can exit and reenter Saudi Arabia multiple times within the validity of your visa.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has digitized the process significantly in the last few years, streamlining the visa application process. The eVisa system, which was originally introduced in 2019, allows citizens from eligible countries to apply for the KSA visa online.

List of Main Saudi Visa Types

Each of the different KSA visa types has different purposes, eligibility, and validity. 

KSA Visit Visa (Saudi eVisa)

The Saudi eVisa is the simplest visa to obtain. You should apply for this visa if you are traveling to Saudi Arabia for leisure, business, or medical purposes. Citizens of eligible countries can apply for the KSA eVisa. It allows for multiple entries and is valid for 1 year, with each stay being a maximum of 90 days. The entire application process can be done online.

The electronic KSA Visit Visa covers various purposes. You can apply online for any of the following:

  • Visit Visa for the purpose of tourism (Saudi Visit Tourist Visa)
  • Visit Visa for the purpose of visiting friends or family (KSA Family Visit Visa)
  • Visit Visa for the purpose of medical treatment (KSA Medical Visa)
  • Visit Visa for the purpose of business (KSA Business Visa)

All of these purposes fall under the Saudi eVisa.

KSA Umrah Visa

The Saudi Umrah Visa is for those coming to perform the religious pilgrimage of Umrah. It is available for Muslims worldwide at any time of the year except for the Hajj season. The validity of the Umrah Visa is typically 90 days and allows a single entry. Depending on your citizenship, you can either apply for the Umrah Visa from an authorized Umrah travel agent, or eligible countries are able to perform Umrah with the electronic KSA Tourist Visa.

KSA Work Visa

The Saudi Work Visa is for those seeking full-time employment in Saudi Arabia. In order to be eligible, you must have a confirmed job offer from a Saudi-based employer. The validity and duration of the Work Visa are directly tied to your employment contract. Your sponsoring employer should initiate the process via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by the applicant completing the process through a Saudi embassy, consulate, or visa center. 

KSA Transit Visa

The Saudi Transit Visa is for short layovers while on your way to a third destination. It allows travelers to transit through Saudi airports if they plan to exit the transit area and pass through immigration, such as in the case of a self-transfer, and permits a short stay for those who want to explore the country. The Transit Visa is typically valid for 96 hours and is a single-entry visa.

Hajj Visa

The Hajj Visa is for those coming to KSA to perform the religious pilgrimage during the Hajj season. It is for Muslims worldwide during the Hajj season and is valid for the duration of the Hajj period, as determined by the official schedule. It is a single-entry visa and only permits travelers to visit the holy cities. You cannot travel outside of the permitted cities during your time in Saudi Arabia. You must apply through a licensed Hajj tour operator. 

Other Visas

Other KSA visa types include the Electronic Visa Waiver, Residency, Escort Visa, Diplomatic Visa, Special Visa, Missions and Organisations Visit Visa, Education Visa, Transport of Goods, Re-entry Visa Extension, and Ratify Applications.

Unified GCC Tourist Visa (Upcoming)

The new GCC Tourism Visa was anticipated in late 2024/early 2025 but has had delays due to security concerns. The purpose of this visa is to make travel within the Gulf Cooperation Council easier. It is for tourists who are traveling between GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates). It is expected that this visa will have an online application process. 

eVisa and Visa on Arrival Options

Two of the simplest options when it comes to entering KSA are the eVisa or the Visa on Arrival. Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to obtain these visas. 

KSA eVisa

You can apply in advance for the eVisa online. Once it has been approved, you will receive a digital visa that is linked to your passport. With this visa, you can travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism, business, Umrah, medical purposes, and visiting friends and family.
There are over 50 countries that are eligible for the eVisa, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and countries in the Schengen Zone. The eVisa allows for multiple entries and is valid for 1 year, with up to 90 days per stay.
In addition to eligible nationalities, residents of GCC countries, as well as residents and holders of valid tourist or business visas from the US, UK, or a Schengen country that has been used at least once, may also qualify for the eVisa.

KSA Visa on Arrival

Some travelers are eligible to apply for a Visa on Arrival once they get to KSA. This covers the same purposes as the KSA eVisa, such as tourism, business, and performing Umrah. No pre-application is required. 

You may be eligible for the Visa on Arrival if:

  • You are a citizen of an eligible country, or
  • You hold a valid tourist or business visa for the United States, the United Kingdom, or the Schengen Zone (the visa must have been used at least once), or
  • You are a resident of the United States, the United Kingdom, a Schengen country, or a GCC country.

However, nationals of certain countries are excluded from eligibility for the eVisa and the Visa on Arrival even if they hold residency in a GCC country or a valid tourist or business visa (or residency) from the United States, the United Kingdom, or a Schengen country.

We recommend applying for the Saudi eVisa. Securing your eVisa online before departure means:

  • Peace of mind you’re approved before you fly, eliminating the risk of being turned away on arrival.
  • Quicker airport processing eVisa holders do not need to wait in the Visa on Arrival queues, saving valuable time.
  • Flexible travel for a year the eVisa allows multiple entries over 12 months, so you can come and go without re-applying.

Compared with the visa on arrival, the eVisa offers far more certainty and convenience for most travelers, while the Visa on Arrival remains a riskier and less predictable option.

 

Which Saudi Visa Is Right for You?

Choosing the right KSA Visa depends on the purpose of your trip to KSA and how long you plan to stay. When trying to decide on the best visa for you, think about the following questions: 

Why are you going?

  • If you’re going for tourism, you should get the eVisa; if you want to move and gain employment, you should get a Work Visa.

How long are you staying?

  • If you’re going for a short stay, a Visit Visa is probably the best choice; if you want to go long term, you should look into a Work or Residence Visa.

Are you eligible for the eVisa or Visa on Arrival?

  • Both are easy to obtain, but the eVisa is the better option for most travelers. It offers more certainty and faster airport processing.

Are you Muslim and going for a religious pilgrimage?

  • If you are traveling for Hajj, you require a specific Hajj Visa. If you are going for Umrah, you may need either a KSA eVisa or an Umrah Visa. 

Understanding your purpose of travel and your exact situation, and pairing it with the purpose and eligibility of the different Saudi visa types, is incredibly important to make sure you are applying for the best fit for your circumstances.

How to Apply for a Saudi Visa

Applying for a visa to KSA depends on your purpose of travel, but the process generally follows the same basic steps. If you’re not sure which visa applies to you, checking eligibility and requirements in advance will save time and prevent rejections.

01

Choose Visa Type

Identifying the visa type that suits your reason for travel is the first step. This may be the eVisa, a Work Visa, or the Umrah Visa, etc.

02

Gather Documents

Make sure to collect all of the documents you will need during the application process. This typically includes your valid passport, passport-sized photos, details about your travel plans such as flights and accommodation, and any other support documents such as invitation letters or job contracts.

03

Apply

Make sure you apply through the correct channel for your visa. For an eVisa, apply online through the application portal. For other KSA visa types, it is typical for your sponsor to initiate the process, followed by you going in person to your Saudi embassy, consulate, or visa center. For Hajj and Umrah visas, you will need to apply through authorized agents..

04

Pay the Visa Fee

The KSA visa cost will vary depending on the visa category. For the eVisa, you are eligible to pay online.

05

Wait for Approval

The eVisa is typically processed within 1-3 days. Other Saudi visa types will take longer. Once you receive your approved KSA Visa, you are eligible to travel to Saudi Arabia. Make sure to continue to listen to immigration officers and abide by the law and your visa regulations.

Important Notes & Common Mistakes

When applying for your KSA Visa, there are common mistakes that are often made. In order to avoid visa rejection or delays, please keep the following tips in mind.

  • Verify eligibility Confirm that your nationality qualifies for the visa you are applying for.
  • Check passport validity Make sure your passport has at least 6 months’ validity beyond your trip.
  • Choose the right visa Ensure the visa you are applying for aligns with your travel purpose and your eligibility.
  • Provide accurate information Double-check all personal and travel details to make sure everything is filled out completely and accurately.

Countries That Don’t Need a Visa to Enter Saudi Arabia

Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) can enter Saudi Arabia without a visa. This includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Citizens of these countries can stay up to 90 days for tourism, business, or family visits. When entering Saudi Arabia, they must have a valid national ID card or their passport.

Saudi Visa vs Iqama: What’s the Difference?

An Iqama is a residency permit for expatriates working or living long-term in KSA. Typically, it is sponsored by a Saudi employer or family member, and it is required for legal residence and employment. 

A Saudi Visa is a permit issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia allowing people to enter and stay in KSA for a specific purpose and amount of time.

Saudi Visa Iqama
Purpose Temporary entry for certain purposes, depending on the visa Long-term residency (usually for employment or family)
Who Visitors and short-term workers, depending on the visa Expatriates who plan to live and work in Saudi Arabia
Validity Ranges, but typically 90 days to 1 year, and in some cases up to 5 years Ranges, but typically 1 year, with the ability to renew annually
Right to work? Only Work Visas, other Saudi visa types are ineligible to hold employment Yes, if it is tied to a work contract

FAQs About Saudi Arabia Visa Types

A KSA Exit Re-Entry Visa is required for expatriates living in Saudi Arabia who want to leave the country and then return.

“Permanent KSA residency” is another term for the Unlimited Duration Saudi Premium Residency. It allows foreigners to live, work, and own property in Saudi Arabia without the need for a sponsor.

This visa allows eligible expatriates to bring their parents, spouse, or children to Saudi Arabia. The visa for this is typically multiple entry for a one-year period and allows for each stay to be up to 90 days. If you are bringing someone who is not immediate family, you can apply for a Personal Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia or an eVisa, which will allow them to visit.

The process starts with your family member in KSA (the sponsor). They must submit an application for a Family Visit Visa through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) online portal. Once the application is approved, a visa authorization number is issued. After that, the visiting family member can proceed to complete the visa application and submit the necessary documents at the Saudi embassy, consulate, or authorized visa center in their home country.

If you want to move to live with your family in Saudi Arabia, your family members will have to apply for a Saudi Residence Visa for family (Iqama). You will be required to have a job with a sufficient salary, housing arrangements, and approval from both your employer and the Saudi government.

There are multiple visa-free countries for Saudi Iqama holders. They can enter Georgia and Tunisia visa-free. They are eligible for visas on arrival in Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Armenia, Kuwait, and Oman.