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The arrivals hall and its great aquarium at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah

Home›Plan a Trip›Visas and Entry›Saudi Tourist eVisa

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The Saudi Arabia Tourist eVisa: A Clear Guide for Americans

The Saudi Arabia tourist eVisa has opened one of the world's most remarkable countries to American travelers. Apply online in minutes and receive a one-year, multiple-entry visa that covers AlUla, the Red Sea, Riyadh, Jeddah and Umrah.

Updated

At a glance

Saudi Tourist eVisa at a glance

Official portal
visa.visitsaudi.com
Validity
1 year, multiple entry
Stay
Up to 90 days per visit
Cost
About US$130–145 incl. insurance
Processing
Often minutes; allow 48 hours
Umrah
Allowed outside Hajj season

A country that opened to the world

Saudi Arabia introduced its tourist eVisa in 2019, and in a few short years the kingdom has become one of the most talked-about destinations on earth. American passport holders are eligible, and the process is entirely online. The visa opens the Nabataean tombs of AlUla and Hegra, the coral islands of the Red Sea, the coral-stone lanes of Jeddah's Al Balad and the energy of Riyadh.

The official site is visa.visitsaudi.com, run by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism. Apply only there: imitation sites charge far more for the same permit.

Elephant Rock, a towering sandstone arch in the desert of AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Photo: Uhooep · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The tourist eVisa at a glance

ItemDetails
Who can applyUS citizens and nationals of dozens of other eligible countries
Wherevisa.visitsaudi.com (official portal)
ValidityOne year from issue, multiple entries
Length of stayUp to 90 days per visit; total time in the kingdom is capped within the year, so check the limit shown on your visa
CostAbout US$130–145 (roughly SAR 480–535), including mandatory medical insurance and VAT; the portal shows the exact total before payment
ProcessingOften within minutes; apply at least 48 hours before flying
PermittedTourism, events, visiting family and friends, Umrah outside Hajj season
Not permittedHajj, work, study
PassportValid at least 6 months from arrival

How to apply, step by step

Open the official portal

Go to visa.visitsaudi.com and choose the tourist eVisa. Create an account with your email address.

Enter your details

Fill in your passport information, address and travel plans exactly as they appear in your passport.

Upload a photo and passport scan

A clear, recent passport-style photo and the passport data page are required.

Pay the fee

Pay by card. The total includes the visa fee and the compulsory medical insurance that covers you during your stay.

Receive your eVisa

Approval usually arrives by email quickly. Save the PDF to your phone and print a copy for the airline check-in desk.

Visa on arrival

US citizens may also obtain a tourist visa on arrival at major Saudi airports, on similar one-year, multiple-entry terms and at a similar cost once insurance is included. It is a good fallback for a spontaneous trip, but the eVisa is the smoother path: you board knowing your visa is approved, and you skip the payment desk on landing.

Umrah on a tourist visa

Muslim travelers may perform Umrah on the tourist eVisa at any time of year outside the Hajj season. Book your Umrah permit and the time slot for the Grand Mosque through the official Nusuk platform. Hajj itself requires a dedicated Hajj visa. As a matter of faith and law, only Muslims may enter Makkah. Our guides to luxury Umrah and Hajj and hotels near the Haram help with planning.

Passing through instead?

If you are connecting through Riyadh or Jeddah on a Saudi carrier, the free 96-hour stopover visa can let you leave the airport for up to four days. See airline stopover programs. And for those thinking beyond a holiday, Saudi Arabia's Premium Residency opens the door to living and investing in the kingdom; see Saudi Luxury Real Estate and Premium Residency.

Questions travelers ask

How much is the Saudi tourist eVisa?

About US$130–145 in total, including the compulsory medical insurance. The exact amount is shown on the official portal before you pay.

How long can I stay?

Up to 90 days per visit, with multiple entries during the year the visa is valid.

Can I perform Umrah on a tourist visa?

Yes, outside the Hajj season, after booking through the Nusuk platform. Hajj requires a separate visa.

Do women need a male guardian to travel?

No. Women may travel independently and stay in hotels on their own. See our guide for women traveling solo.

Confirm Before You GoRules and fees change. Confirm the current terms on the official Saudi eVisa portal before you apply. See the advice ↗
Travel TodayBefore you travel, check the US State Department's current advice for Saudi Arabia. See the advice ↗

Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here

Own a home in Saudi Arabia

The places you discover as a guest are the places to own. Open to non-Saudis under the law in force since January 22, 2026, with designated zones in Riyadh and Jeddah; residents may own a home outside restricted areas.

Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate

Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.