saudi has changed a ton lately. it used to be one of the hardest places to ever get into, but now it’s mostly digital and actually pretty fast. they want like 150 million people to visit by 2030, so they made the whole thing way easier. here is how you do it step by step for 2026.
step 1: check if you can get the evisa
the easy tourist evisa is for people from 66 countries. if you aren’t on that list, you’ll have to do it the old way through a consulate, which is a bit of a headache.
step 2: how are you gonna apply?
evisa: just do it online before you go. this is what most people do.
visa on arrival: if you’re from those 66 countries, you can just get it at the airport in riyadh or jeddah.
gcc residents: if you live in places like dubai or qatar, you can get a simple evisa even if your passport isn’t on the “easy” list. just need your residency to be good for 3 months.
consulate: for everyone else… you gotta go in person.
step 3: get your stuff together
a passport (needs to be good for at least 6 months).
a digital photo of yourself.
a return ticket.
maybe proof of where you’re staying.
you gotta be 18 to do this alone.
step 4: what the visa actually lets you do
the visa lasts for a whole year. you can go in and out as much as you want, but you can only stay for 90 days total. like… 90 days for the whole year, not 90 days every time you visit.
you can do tourism, see family, or do umrah. but no hajj and definitely no working or studying. those are different visas.
step 5: pay the fee (insurance is included!)
the cool thing is the medical insurance is actually bundled into the price. you don’t have to go find your own basic coverage. for the gcc route, it’s about 480 sar total.
step 6: submit and wait
it’s fast. really fast. most people get the email in like 5 to 24 hours. some get it in 10 minutes, crazy right? but honestly, apply like 3 or 5 days before your flight just so you aren’t stressing at the gate.
step 7: where you can enter
you can fly into the big airports or even drive across the borders from places like the uae or jordan. it’s pretty flexible for a road trip.
step 8: if you need to stay longer
you can ask for an extension for 100 sar. but they don’t have to say yes. if you’re gonna try it, do it way before your time runs out.
step 9: don’t stay too long
the 90-day limit is serious. and remember… it’s 90 days combined for the whole year. if you stay over, you’re gonna have a bad time with fines and stuff.
quick cost and rules (2026)
| item | the deal |
|---|---|
| who can get it | 66 countries |
| how long it lasts | 1 year |
| max stay | 90 days total for the year |
| fee | insurance is included |
| wait time | 5–24 hours usually |
mistakes people keep making
thinking the 90 days resets. it doesn’t. it’s 90 days total for the year. i still see people mess this up.
trying to do hajj. you can do umrah, but hajj needs a special visa. don’t get those mixed up.
waiting until the last second. yeah it’s fast, but systems go down sometimes. give it a few days.
the gcc route. if you live in the gulf, use that route! it’s way easier even if your passport is from somewhere else.
the bottom line
saudi is way more open now and the digital visa is a breeze. just keep track of your 90 days and apply a few days before you fly.
honestly, things change fast, so check the official visa.visitsaudi.com site before you pay for anything. safe travels!