Saudi Visa Requirements for US Citizens

Introduction

If you’re a US citizen and you’re planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, then you’re in luck. US citizens can enjoy minimal requirements for several Saudi visas. Whether spending a holiday with loved ones, going nature-tripping, conducting business meetings, seeking medical treatment, or performing Umrah, the country offers limitless possibilities for your travel itinerary.

As Saudi Arabia opens its gates further to the world, US citizens can look forward to more tourist attractions as the country invests $800 billion in its tourism sector.

Ready to plan your trip? Read on to learn about the Saudi visa requirements for US citizens.

Saudi visa requirements

We’ve mentioned that US citizens have the privilege of being among those with the least requirements for getting a Saudi visa. Of course, though the requirements are minimal, they still need to prepare certain documents before they can be granted entry to Saudi Arabia.

Here’s a list of Saudi visit visas US citizens are eligible for, and what their requirements are.

Option 1: E-visa

If you’re planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, then you’re in luck. US citizens are eligible for a Saudi e-visa or a Saudi visa on arrival.

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

Under Saudi Arabia’s new e-visa system, eligible travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia no longer need to get 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.

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).

What’s great about the e-visa is that it already covers tourism-related activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj season).

Application

If you are a US citizen, all you need to do is visit Saudi Arabia’s easy-to-use portal, sign up for an account, provide your Schengen visa information as well as your personal and passport information, pay for the insurance and visa application fees, and just wait for the e-visa to be e-mailed.

What are the requirements for a Saudi e-visa?

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, you will need the following:

• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• Digital passport photo with a white background (in JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP file formats; not bigger than 100 KB; and 200×200 pixels in dimension)
• Accomplished application form
• Health insurance

Note that for certain Saudi visas, you may need to have an invitation letter from a sponsor in Saudi Arabia, such as a Saudi resident or a local company.

Validity

The Saudi e-visa will be valid for one year from the date of issuance and it will be valid for multiple entries. You can stay for a total of 3 months or 90 days in Saudi Arabia, as long as your Schengen visa is still valid during your stay. Note that once you are granted a Saudi e-visa, it cannot be extended.

Visa fees

The cost of the Saudi e-visa will vary depending on the purpose of the travel, but for tourism purposes, the Saudi tourist e-visa costs SAR 535 (USD 142.64). As mentioned, the fee already includes the fee for the medical insurance selected during the e-visa application process. Note that the payment must be made in Saudi Riyals with an international debit or credit card.

Note that the visa fees are non-refundable in case the e-visa is rejected.

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. You’ll know if your visa has been approved once you receive an e-mail from KSA Visa, Saudi Arabia’s unified platform for visa applications.

Option 2: Visa on arrival

The next easy and convenient option 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

Although we’ve covered the basics when it comes to Saudi visa requirements for UScitizens, we’re sure you may still questions about it. The following are answers to some frequently asked quesitons.

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 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).

Can tourists visit Makkah and Al Madinah?

The holy city of Makkah may only be visited by Muslims. Meanwhile, Al Madinah is open to all
tourists. Many locations around Makkah are also open to tourists to learn about Saudi Arabia’s local culture and history.

My visa application status says it is “pending with applicant”. What does this mean?

This means that your application might have missing information or there is a problem with your photo.

Is the process different if you apply for a visa as an individual versus as a group?

You are free to apply either as a group or as an individual. If you would like to apply for a visa as a group, this option is just to facilitate the payment process.

How can I inquire about the travel insurance company?

To inquire about an insurance company, visit the website of Saudi Arabia’s Council of Health Insurance (CHI) and inquire about the health insurance with your passport number.

How do medical service providers handle emergency cases?

Emergency cases are handled according to the following levels: 1) Resuscitation, 2) Emergencies, and 3) Urgent cases that can result in the loss of life, an organ, or direct disability. This is based on the emergency doctor’s decision, without referring to the insurance company.

Do visa applicants get their health insurance over e-mail once their visa is granted?

No, the health insurance is not e-mailed once the visa is granted. Instead, this can be downloaded as a PDF file through the same account with which the application was made.

Is it possible for your Saudi visa on arrival to be rejected?

Although there are clear guidelines on who is eligible for a Saudi visa on arrival, remember that any visa is a conditional document and the final say will have to come from the immigration officer.

Yes, it’s possible for a Saudi visa on arrival to be rejected. Some of the possible reasons may be insufficient documents, previous visa violations, inaccurate or incomplete personal information, falsification of travel history, health issues, or insufficient funds.

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.

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

All set to travel to Saudi Arabia? With the e-visa and visa-on-arrival options, US citizens like you can easily make travel plans at any time.

But in case you have a different travel purpose in mind, there are different requirements you will need to submit either through the KSA Visa platform, a Saudi embassy/consulate, VFS Tasheel, or an authorized service provider.

For more information, visit KSA Visa or contact the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate.

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