Important Updates
Important Updates
October 13, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Migration Advisory Committee Publishes First Stage Temporary Shortage List Report
October 14, 2025 | ColombiaColombia: New Application Fee Implemented for 30-Day Permit to Develop Other Activities
October 14, 2025 | United KingdomGlobal Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups
October 13, 2025 | Belgium, European UnionThe New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.
October 13, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesThe Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi
October 13, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Migration Advisory Committee Publishes First Stage Temporary Shortage List Report
October 14, 2025 | ColombiaColombia: New Application Fee Implemented for 30-Day Permit to Develop Other Activities
October 14, 2025 | United KingdomGlobal Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups
October 13, 2025 | Belgium, European UnionThe New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.
October 13, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesThe Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi
October 13, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Migration Advisory Committee Publishes First Stage Temporary Shortage List Report
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Saudi Arabia: E-Visa for Tourism Expanded to More Foreign Nationals

September 7, 2022

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

The Saudi government has expanded the e-visa for tourism to:

  • Eligible residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council, who must meet a minimum residency requirement and whose occupation must be on the approved occupation list to be eligible for the e-visa.
  • Foreign nationals with a valid residence, business, or tourist visa issued by a Schengen Member State, the United Kingdom, or the United States. These applicants can obtain an e-visa for tourism upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, if they have entered the visa-issuing country at least once prior to traveling to Saudi Arabia.

The situation

Effective immediately, foreign nationals with residency status in a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are now eligible to apply for a single- or multiple-entry e-visa to enter Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes. Additionally, nationals of countries that are not on the list of countries eligible for the e-visa for tourism upon arrival in Saudi Arabia can obtain an e-visa upon arrival if they hold a valid residence, business, or tourist visa issued by a Schengen Member State, the United Kingdom, or the United States.

A closer look

  • Eligibility for GCC residents. Foreign residents of a GCC country (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates) who meet the below requirements can submit their e-visa applications through the MOFA online portal:
    • The applicant must have been a resident in the GCC for at least three months prior to application submission;
    • The applicant’s occupation must be on the approved occupation list (the list is available on the MOFA online portal); and
    • The applicant must obtain valid health insurance to cover their entire stay in Saudi Arabia.
  • Eligibility for foreign nationals with a residence, business, or tourist visa issued by a Schengen Member State, the United Kingdom, or the United States. Nationals of countries that are not on the list of countries eligible for the e-visa for tourism upon arrival, who meet the below requirements can obtain an e-visa upon arrival in Saudi Arabia:
    • The applicant must have a valid residence, business, or tourist visa issued by a Schengen Member State, the United Kingdom, or the United States;
    • The applicant must have entered the visa-issuing country at least once prior to traveling to Saudi Arabia; and
    • The applicant must obtain valid health insurance to cover their entire stay in Saudi Arabia.
  • Government fee. There is a government fee of SAR 300 for those applying for the e-visa based on residency status in the GCC. The government fee for applicants seeking to obtain the e-visa upon arrival is SAR 463.
  • Validity. The maximum allowable duration of stay under a single-entry visa for 90 days is 30 cumulative days; for multiple entries for one year is 90 cumulative days. It is not clear if visa extensions are possible. Those applying for the e-visa upon arrival will be issued a one-year visa with the maximum allowable duration of stay of 90 cumulative days.

Impact

Foreign nationals who were previously not eligible for the e-visa for tourism purposes can now obtain one if they hold an immigration status in any of the GCC countries.

Nationals of countries that are not on the list of countries eligible for the e-visa for tourism upon arrival in Saudi Arabia can now obtain an e-visa upon arrival if they hold a valid residence, business, or tourist visa issued by a Schengen Member State, the United Kingdom, or the United States.

Background

Since 2019, nationals of 49 countries have been able to apply for an e-visa for tourism in Saudi Arabia electronically or upon arrival through an e-visa kiosk at select airports. Individuals who are not eligible for the e-visa must apply for a visa in person at a Saudi consular post abroad.

The addition of GCC residents to the e-visa program is aimed at reducing procedural steps in the tourism process with the intention to promote tourism throughout the region.

Looking ahead

Saudi Arabia will likely continue to implement relaxed regulations for foreign nationals to promote tourism and bring revenue into the country to aid in its post-pandemic recovery efforts.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

Country / Territory

  • Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi

Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Learn more

Video

Important Update for Brazil-Bound Visitors | #MobilityMinute

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Learn more

Blog post

Changes to Skilled Worker Dependants: How UK Government’s July 2025 Rules Affect Tech Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Contributes to Third Edition of Einwanderungsrecht

Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Learn more

Blog post

Beyond PERM: Leveraging Schedule A, Group II for Exceptional Ability in the Sciences, Arts and Performing Arts

Associate Matthew Smith discusses how professionals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and performing arts can bypass the PERM process by leveraging Schedule A, Group II for a streamlined green card application.

Learn more

Awards

Managing Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot Recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners"

Managing Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot is recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners."

Learn more

Media mentions

Sports Lawyers Association: Sport Shorts Episode 115 With Partner Dan Schwarz

Partner Dan Schwarz discusses how proactive immigration planning helps athletes, teams and universities navigate complex US policies.

Learn more

Video

Italian Citizenship by Descent: Eligibility, Benefits and Application Process

Learn how to claim Italian citizenship through ancestry. This complete guide covers eligibility requirements, benefits and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Video

Bangladesh: Security Clearances and Challenges

Senior Manager Corrine Tan and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Joycelyn Ang discuss Bangladesh’s work permit security clearance process.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi

Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Learn more

Video

Important Update for Brazil-Bound Visitors | #MobilityMinute

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Learn more

Blog post

Changes to Skilled Worker Dependants: How UK Government’s July 2025 Rules Affect Tech Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Contributes to Third Edition of Einwanderungsrecht

Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Learn more

Blog post

Beyond PERM: Leveraging Schedule A, Group II for Exceptional Ability in the Sciences, Arts and Performing Arts

Associate Matthew Smith discusses how professionals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and performing arts can bypass the PERM process by leveraging Schedule A, Group II for a streamlined green card application.

Learn more

Awards

Managing Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot Recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners"

Managing Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot is recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners."

Learn more

Media mentions

Sports Lawyers Association: Sport Shorts Episode 115 With Partner Dan Schwarz

Partner Dan Schwarz discusses how proactive immigration planning helps athletes, teams and universities navigate complex US policies.

Learn more

Video

Italian Citizenship by Descent: Eligibility, Benefits and Application Process

Learn how to claim Italian citizenship through ancestry. This complete guide covers eligibility requirements, benefits and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Video

Bangladesh: Security Clearances and Challenges

Senior Manager Corrine Tan and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Joycelyn Ang discuss Bangladesh’s work permit security clearance process.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.