How to Secure Your Saudi Visit Visa from the US

Introduction

It’s a great time to travel to Saudi Arabia for US citizens. The country is opening its doors further to the world, granting greater access to even more travelers.

In 2023 alone, Saudi Arabia received over 100 million international tourists, and it aims to attract as many as 150 million tourists in 2030.

The country is also home to a huge expat community, with a wealth of opportunities for career-driven professionals. It’s been voted as one of the best places to live for expats, outperforming the US.

But for first-time US travelers, how do you apply for a Saudi visa? What is the process like? How fast and convenient is it? Where do they apply and what do they need to submit? We’ll cover all these in this article. Read on to learn more.

Eligibility

As mentioned, US citizens are privileged to have minimal requirements when it comes to applying for a Saudi visit visa. The good news is that this also applies to US permanent citizens, as well.

US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for a Saudi e-visa, as well as a Saudi visa on arrival, to perform tourism activities in Saudi Arabia. What is an e-visa and how easy is it for travelers to apply for it? What are the requirements? Let’s explore them in the next sections.

Applying for a Saudi visa

As mentioned, US citizens and residents are among those eligible to apply for a Saudi visa, and they can either apply for an e-visa or a visa on arrival. What is this process like and what are the steps involved? Read on to learn more.

Option 1: Saudi e-visa

The Saudi e-visa program, launched in September 2019, makes it easier for citizens from eligible countries such as the US to secure a Saudi visa. It allows foreign nationals entry into Saudi Arabia for various purposes such as tourism, business, and even Umrah.

Apart from eligible nationalities (including dual citizens from eligible countries), permanent residents in the US, EU, or the UK; holders of visit visas (Schengen, US, UK); and residents in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) are also eligible for a Saudi e-visa or visa on arrival.

How the Saudi e-visa works

Now that we know who is eligible for a Saudi e-visa, let’s understand how it works.

Under the new e-visa system, eligible travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia don’t need a visa sticker stamped on their passports. Instead, these are replaced by a printed e-visa featuring a QR code. This QR code will contain all the essential data and information about the passenger, effectively functioning as a digital visa. The e-visa can be accessed online and will be instantly delivered via email. Under an e-visa, you can typically stay in Saudi Arabia for a maximum of 90 days.

Application

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, visit KSA Visa–Saudi Arabia’s unified platform for visa applications–and select the e-visa of your choice, and fill out the online application form.

Provide your personal information and passport details. Next, upload a digital passport-size photo with a white background.

Based on your submitted application, the form will generate the corresponding visa validity: 365 days or 1 year for a multiple-entry visa and 90 days for a single-entry visa. Both single and multiple-entry visas are valid for a total of 90 days.

Visa fees

The visa application fee includes $80 for the visa fee (refundable), $10.50 for the visa digital service fee (non-refundable), $10.50 for the insurance digital service fee (non-refundable), and the insurance fees.
Note that the insurance fee will vary depending on your chosen medical insurance provider). You can pay via international debit or credit card.

Processing time

Now that you’ve completed your online visa application form, it’s time to wait. The processing time can take anywhere between 1 minute to 3 business days, so make sure you get an e-visa ahead of time. You’ll know if your visa has been approved once you receive an e-mail from KSA Visa.

Option 2: Visa on arrival

The next easy and convenient option that US citizens and residents are eligible for is the visa on arrival issued upon a foreign national’s entry into a country. Note that although it is a quick and easy way to get a Saudi visa, it might be more practical to apply for a Saudi e-visa ahead of time to avoid any surprises at the airport.

Similar to the e-visa, those who hold eligible citizenship (including dual citizens); have active US, UK, or Schengen visit visas; are permanent residents of the US, UK, or the EU; as well as GCC nationals or residents can avail of a Saudi visa on arrival.

The Saudi visa on arrival is valid for 1 year from its issuance date. The multiple-entry visa on arrival is valid for 1 year from the date of issuance. It allows the traveler to stay for a maximum of 90 days.

Option 3: Transit/Stopover Visa

There’s another way you can easily enter Saudi Arabia: the Saudi transit or stopover visa, which is open to all nationalities. It allows travelers to pass through Saudi land borders, airports, or ports. This is probably not the most ideal option for all, but it’s a good option if you are staying for less than four days in Saudi Arabia.

Travelers may opt to apply for a transit/stopover visa via Saudi Arabia’s Saudia or Flynas airlines by booking two flights with a suitable layover of between 12 to 96 hours. While the transit/stopover visa is free, it is still subject to administrative and medical insurance fees. Alternatively, travelers may apply for a standard transit/stopover visa via KSA Visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve covered the essential information for applying for a Saudi visa from the US. But we’re sure you might still have some burning questions. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

Can US green card holders get a Saudi visa?

Yes, US green card holders can get a Saudi visa as the term is also used to refer to US permanent residents. They are eligible to apply for a Saudi e-visa or a visa on arrival to travel to Saudi Arabia. Alternatively, they may also consider applying for a Saudi transit/stopover visa, available to those with a layover in Saudi Arabia between 12 to 96 hours.

How can you check the status of your Saudi e-visa application?

To check the status of your e-visa application, log in to your KSA Visa account and check out the “Order Tracking” tool at the top. Just enter your application or visa number and your passport number so the system can generate the status of your e-visa application.

How can you check the validity of your Saudi e-visa?

A visa’s validity will be displayed on the visa on your passport. This is the easiest way for you to check if your visa is still valid. Look for the expiration date to check if you can still use your visa. You may also try the following:

You can check your Saudi visa’s validity through Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website. Just visit MOFA’s Visa services platform and look for the Enquiry field, select “Visa document number, indicate your visa number, and your passport number, followed by your nationality and the image code for the Captcha. Once verified, you’ll see the status of your Saudi visa.

If I have a Saudi tourist visa, can I visit Makkah and Al Madinah?

Note that you may only visit Makkah if you are a Muslim visitor, while Al Madinah is open to all tourists. As an alternative, you may want to check out the many sites around Makkah to learn more about Saudi Arabia’s rich culture and heritage.

Can I apply for another tourist visa?

You may not apply for another tourist visa if you are currently under a valid Saudi tourist visa. You may re-apply for a new tourist visa once the current one expires.

Is it possible to refund the visa fees after issuance?

No, it is not possible to refund the visa fees once the visa has been issued, as these are non-refundable and cannot be canceled.

Is it possible to amend my data after submitting the visa application?

You cannot make changes to a Saudi e-visa if there is a mistake in the visa holder’s declared information apart from his/her nationality or passport number. As you cannot modify an e-visa, it will need to be canceled and you will need to re-apply for a new e-visa.

If, however, the embassy issued the visa with an incorrect nationality or passport number, then a new visa with the correct nationality or passport number can be issued for a fee. It won’t be necessary to cancel or revoke the old visa.

How far is Saudi Arabia from the US?

It depends on which specific locations from the two countries are being compared. For instance, the distance between Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, and New York City, is roughly 6,800 miles (around 10,940 kilometers); while the distance between Jeddah and Los Angeles is approximately 7,300 miles (about 11,750 kilometers).

What should I wear while I’m in Saudi Arabia?

Both men and women should dress modestly while in Saudi Arabia, otherwise they potentially face penalties. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes or clothes displaying profane language or images. Women should cover their shoulders and knees when in public.

Generally, wearing long, loose tops, long pants or trousers, or long skirts up to the ankle is safe. The only time you should not abide by this rule is when the situation calls for different attire, such as when swimming. Similarly, choose to wear modest swimming attire.

Conclusion

It’s a great time for US travelers to visit Saudi Arabia, as US citizens and US permanent residents are eligible for an e-visa and a visa on arrival. The e-visa already covers a variety of travel purposes, from leisure, tourism, business, seeking medical treatment, to Umrah.

For other travel purposes, they can apply for a Saudi visa online, through Saudi embassies or consulates, or visa offices.

We hope this article has been a helpful guide to applying for different Saudi visas from the US. Note that requirements are subject to change, so it’s best to contact the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate for any inquiries.

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