What Steps Do I Follow to Get Approval for a Trip to Saudi Arabia?
From tourists to pilgrims to businessmen, many visit Saudi Arabia in a given year. Unless they have come from a Gulf country, having an approved Saudi visa is necessary when they arrive at the entry port. Thus, all foreign nationals have to learn the requirements for the Saudi visa and apply accordingly to their relevant visa criteria with proper supporting documents to ensure approval and visa issuance.
Launched in 2019, the Saudi eVisa was one step forward in the direction of welcoming more travelers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Keeping in mind the convenience of the traveler and to attract more footfall to the country, the Saudi eVisa is among the ranks of those offering the longest visa validity. However, applying for the document can be tricky, especially if you are a first-time applicant.
With our easy step-by-step guide, get ready to enter Saudi Arabia with the Saudi travel visa.
Identifying the Purpose of Your Trip
Based on the purpose of your trip, the kind of visa you have to apply for will vary. Based on the purpose of the visit, the visa types available for Saudi Arabia include:
- Saudi Tourist eVisa: Only for tourism, sightseeing, and recreational purposes.
- Hajj or Umrah visa: To complete the religious pilgrimage.
- Business Visa: To attend to business or conferences (you may require an invitation letter to apply).
- Family visit visa: To visit family and friends.
These visa options can be better explained with the help of the following table:
| Visa Type | Who It’s For | Where to Apply |
| Tourist eVisa | Tourists from eligible countries | Online |
| Hajj Visa | Muslims traveling for the Hajj season | Online or through authorized Hajj agents |
| Umrah Visa | Muslims visiting for Umrah (during the non-Hajj period) | Online or via agents |
| Business Visa | Invited professionals | Online or consulate |
| Family Visit Visa | Visiting relatives in Saudi Arabia | Online |
Table 1: Different Types of Saudi Travel Visa
Each visa application has its own purpose, process, and documentation requirements. Thus, it is important to identify your purpose of visit accurately and select the correct visa type.
Applying for the Visa
The Saudi tourist eVisa and other visa types all have a validity of 1 year, during which the visa holder may visit the country multiple times (multi entry visa) while ensuring their total stay does not exceed 180 days. Further, the visa holder may stay in Saudi Arabia for a continuous stretch of 90 days during one visit. Online visa applications for Saudi Arabia usually get approved within 24 – 72 hours (processing time) of submitting the completed application.
The process for most online visa applications is the same and follows the procedure below:
- Visit the portal for the Saudi travel visa.
- Apply with a valid passport and a recently taken photo.
- Upload the requested documents and cross-check the visa form.
- Make the payment with one of the payment methods available on the visa portal.
However, each visa type calls for some additional requirements:
Saudi Tourist eVisa
As the applicant, you will need to produce proof of finances to support your travels, a complete and thorough itinerary, address (or booking records) for your temporary accommodation, and a return ticket.
Pilgrimage Visas (Hajj/Umrah)
Other than a proof of finances, accommodation, and your travel dates, the applicant also has to submit an approval from the Ministry of Hajj. Further, it is important to note that you cannot visit any place outside the holy cities with the Hajj/ Umrah visa.
Business Visa
The applicant must submit an invitation letter from a registered Saudi business for a conference, expo, or seminar that is being held in Saudi Arabia.
Some of these documents will not be asked for when filing the Saudi travel visa application. However, at the entry port, the immigration officials will verify all of them before granting you entry.
Fulfilling all the Health and Vaccine Requirements
As of 2025, every person traveling to Saudi Arabia must provide certificates for the following mandatory vaccinations:
- Meningococcal vaccine (for pilgrims)
- COVID-19 vaccine (if required)
- Yellow fever (for travelers from risk areas)
Further, those travelling with the Saudi tourist eVisa should have health insurance and travel insurance for their trip and any emergency treatment that they may need.
Gathering All Required Documents
Before you depart your country of residence, gather all documents that will be required at the port of entry by the immigration officials. These include:
- A valid passport that will stay valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of travel.
- The visa approval that you have received in email and the eVisa printout.
- A copy of your stay bookings (hotel reservations) and return flight tickets (to exit Saudi Arabia).
- The invitation letter (for business visas).
- Vaccination certificates for all travelers.
- Travel and medical insurance documents.
The visa issued will only be accepted after you can meet the above requirements satisfactorily. After checking and a successful verification of these documents will a traveler will be granted entry to Saudi Arabia.
Preparing for Immigration at the Saudi Airport
At the immigration checkpoint, there are certain dos and don’ts that you need to prepare for. As a traveler, once you are at the immigration checkpost, be ready to show your passport, visa, travel itinerary, and insurance to the officials. Women travelers need to be aware of the dress code (modest clothes) and guardian rules (which are eased for tourists).
At Customs, you will have to declare all your valuables, medicines, or currency. Thus, be aware of the exact items that you are carrying along with the denominations for the currency.
Know What’s Not Allowed
Certain items are not allowed in Saudi Arabia, whether you are visiting with a tourist visa or otherwise. Some of these include:
- Alcohol, tobacco, and pork
- Political articles
- Illegal substances
- Hazardous or radioactive chemicals
- Perishable food
- Live/ dead animals or their parts
- Unidentified materials and chemicals
- Items related to gambling, such as lottery tickets, machines, etc.
- Rough diamond
- E-cigarettes
- Prescription medications (or medical devices)
- Medical waste
- Lab, biological, or medical materials
- Firearms
- Flammable items
- Counterfeit products
Further, there are restrictions on public behavior, photos, and religious items for non-Muslims. Thus, go through official guides that provide in-depth information on what you can do and bring when visiting Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, tourists need to ensure that their activities while staying in Saudi Arabia to match the Saudi travel visa type. Thus, if you are visiting with a Saudi tourist eVisa, then you cannot attend any business activity. Similarly, with an Umrah visa, you are not allowed to visit any place outside the holy city or engage in any tourist activities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Additionally, there are certain mistakes to be aware of when you are filing the Saudi travel visa application. These include:
- Applying for the wrong visa category
- Incomplete or incorrect documentation
- Booking non-refundable travel before approval
- Not having a complete or proper itinerary along with proof of accommodation
- Not being able to provide a clear source of finances
- Entering embellished or misleading information in the visa form
- Document translations are not in the correct language or format
- Ignoring health or cultural requirements
- Not having sufficient months of validity on your passport
- Incomplete vaccination certifications
- Having the supporting documents in the wrong format
- Not following up with any clarifications sought after by the visa authorities
By ensuring the above, you can increase your chances of receiving approval against your visa application.
Wrapping Up
Each visa—tourist, Hajj, Umrah, or business—has small differences in the documentation requirements. To get approval for your Saudi trip, choose the correct Saudi travel visa, apply via the right platform, meet health requirements, and prepare your paperwork thoroughly. Be sure to do this well in advance, so that you can pack for your trip in peace.
Get Ready to Travel to Saudi Arabia!
Need help navigating the Saudi travel visa process? Gather all necessary documents and seek hassle-free application help to get started. For any queries, contact our Helpdesk.
