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Hey! 👋
Before we dive into the paperwork: right now is actually a great time to start thinking about Saudi Arabia as a travel destination. A few years back it wasn’t really on anyone’s radar, and it wasn’t until 2019 — when the e-visa for 49 countries launched — that things really opened up for tourists.
Since then, the numbers have been climbing fast: in 2024, there were around 29.7 million international visitors and roughly 116 million trips in total, counting domestic travel as well. The goal for 2030? A massive 150 million visits per year. On top of that, there are huge investments and brand-new spots popping up on the map — from Al-Ula to the Red Sea coast.
Types of visas to Saudi Arabia
The easiest option for travelers. It’s valid for one year, allows multiple entries, and lets you stay up to 90 days in total. Right now, the visa costs 395 SAR including mandatory health insurance, plus a small processing fee from the payment provider. We visited Saudi Arabia in 2023, when tourism really picked up after COVID, and back then the total cost was a bit higher — around 535 SAR.
Important: you can only apply through visa.visitsaudi.com. The form is simple, so there’s no point in paying any middlemen — first, it’s a waste of money, and second, we definitely don’t recommend sharing your personal data with companies you don’t know or trust.
No rush — we’ll walk you through the process step by step below. And if you want our firsthand impressions and practical tips, check out our Saudi Arabia articles.
How to fill out the form?
Head over to the official visa.visitsaudi.com portal and click “Apply Now.” The whole process is as simple as: fill out the form → pay → download your e-visa in your account the next day. On the main Visit Saudi page, you’ll also find travel inspiration and practical info — worth a look before planning your route.
Create your account on Saudi eVisa
Create an account, choose your passport type and country of nationality, and enter your email. Your account will show all your applications, payments, and issued e-visas (with the included insurance policy). Make sure to enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport, and that your passport is valid for at least six months from your entry date.
After registering, log in — you’ll receive a one-time code (usually sent to your email). Enter the code and move on to the application form.
Individual visa or group visa?
Each traveler gets their own e-visa, but you can submit multiple applications from a single account (for a partner or family) and keep everything in one place. It’s more practical than a so-called “group” visa, which doesn’t really exist — it’s just several individual applications handled together.
Personal data
Select whether you’re filling out the application for yourself or on someone else’s behalf. Enter the details exactly as they appear in the passport (including any middle names). The system will also ask for basic contact information.
Prepare a photo for the application: square 200×200 px, white background, face forward, file size 5–100 KB. If the photo is larger than the required size, the form lets you crop it so your face fits properly.
Identity document details
Provide your passport number, date of issue/expiration, and country of issue.
Enter information about your next trip
Enter the address of your first accommodation or place of stay, and select the purpose of travel (for tourism, usually “Leisure”). If you’re applying on someone’s behalf, you can provide their email and phone number for contact. Reminder: the tourist e-visa is multiple-entry, valid for one year, and allows a total stay of up to 90 days in the country.
Accept the terms and conditions of the e-Visa system
Check the boxes to accept the terms and conditions — this includes the e-visa regulations and information about the mandatory insurance that comes with the visa.
Pay for your visa
You’ll pay online by card. For the tourist e-visa, expect 395 SAR (including insurance) plus a small processing fee; the final amount will appear on the payment summary page. To save on currency fees, it’s best to use a travel card or fintech options like Revolut, Curve, or ZEN.
Done — once approved, the visa will appear in your e-Visa account, and you’ll receive a confirmation by email. It usually takes about a day, and in most cases no more than 72 hours.
What should you keep in mind when entering Saudi Arabia?
- A car is the best option. The roads are in good condition, and fuel is still cheap: roughly 2.18 SAR/l for 91 octane and 2.33 SAR/l for 95 — as of August 2025.
- Driving with a foreign license is allowed, and many rental companies require an International Driving Permit (IDP). As of July 2025, the rule is clear: visitors can drive with either a foreign or international license for up to one year after entry (or until the license expires — whichever comes first). Not sure how to get an IDP? Check out our guide.
- Clothing and public displays of affection: there’s no requirement for foreign women to wear an abaya, but clothing should be modest. Public displays of affection are approached conservatively, as the Public Decency Code applies.
- Alcohol is illegal. You can’t bring it in or buy it; any rumors about “lifting the ban” have been officially denied. We’ll see if anything changes for the 2034 World Cup.
- Prayer times and opening hours: shops no longer have to close during prayer times, though some still do — keep this in mind when planning your day, especially during Ramadan.
- Payments: you can pay by card (Visa/Mastercard/AmEx) or phone in most places; Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. In souks and with small vendors, cash comes in handy — you can withdraw it from ATMs.
- Photography and drones: always ask people before taking their photos, and don’t photograph government or military buildings. Drones fall under GACA regulations and require proper permits — without them, confiscation is likely.
- Holy cities: non-Muslims are not allowed to enter Mecca or certain parts of Medina. Navigation apps usually mark this clearly, but it’s good to know beforehand.
- Hotels and “social rules”: foreign couples (even if unmarried) can share a room, and women traveling solo have no issues checking into hotels.
Summary and contact details
Got questions or stuck with your application? Drop a comment below. Or, if you prefer, reach out through our contact form — we’ll be happy to help you sort out the paperwork step by step.
Saudi Arabia has plenty to discover: from vast sandy deserts to the Red Sea coast and historic cities. Outside the biggest hubs, you’ll still run into signs mostly in Arabic, but that’s not an issue — maps and translation apps help a lot, hotels and attractions usually have English-speaking staff, and offline maps plus a translator on your phone handle the rest.
See you then!
