Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia visas and residence permits: the complete guide
- 16 visa types
- checked 25 October 2026
How visas for Saudi Arabia work
Saudi Arabia runs almost every entry visa through one federal channel: KSA Visa, the unified platform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Visit visas for tourism, business, family and friends, medical treatment and Umrah all share the same basic format there: a single-entry visa valid for 90 days or a multiple-entry visa valid for one year, each allowing up to 90 days in the country, with a published visa fee of USD 80 plus digital-service charges and mandatory health insurance.
Nationals of the countries on the eVisa list, which include the EU and Schengen states, the UK, the US, Japan and Türkiye, can get a tourist visit visa online in minutes. Others apply through a visa service centre or a Saudi embassy after filing the application on KSA Visa; holders of a used US, UK or Schengen visa and permanent residents of the US, UK or EU can also obtain one on arrival. Umrah and Hajj go through Nusuk and licensed providers, and visit visas never cover Hajj.
Long-term status depends on who sponsors you. Employees enter on a work visa that the employer obtains through the Ministry of Human Resources (Qiwa) and then receive an iqama (residence ID); their families follow on a residence visa. Without a sponsor, the Premium Residency Center offers seven products, from Special Talent and Investor residency to a SAR 800,000 permanent residency, each with its own threshold and a one-time SAR 4,000 fee for the newer products.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday, sightseeing, events or a visit to friends: tourist eVisa if your nationality is on the eVisa list, otherwise the visit visa through KSA Visa and a visa centre or embassy. Umrah outside the Hajj season is also allowed on it, or use the dedicated Umrah visa bought with a Nusuk package.
Meetings, conferences or negotiations with a Saudi company: business visit visa. Any paid work, even short-term, needs a work visa obtained by a Saudi employer.
Joining a parent, spouse or relative who lives in Saudi Arabia: family visit visa for a stay of up to 90 days, or a residence visa for dependants who will live there.
Living in Saudi Arabia without a sponsor: compare the Premium Residency products – Special Talent and Gifted for professionals and talents, Investor (SAR 7 million), Entrepreneur, Real Estate Owner (SAR 4 million property) or paid Limited/Unlimited Duration residency.
Visa types for Saudi Arabia
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Visit visa for tourism (eVisa, visa on arrival or through a Saudi mission)
Saudi Arabia issues one tourism visit visa through three routes: online eVisa for eligible nationals and certain visa or residence holders, visa on arrival for holders of a used US, UK or Schengen visa and US, UK or EU permanent residents, and an application via KSA Visa followed by a visa centre or Saudi embassy for everyone else.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in Saudi Arabia - Family and friends visit visa Visit visa for family and friends
The visit visa for family and friends lets you visit relatives or friends who live in Saudi Arabia.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in Saudi Arabia - Medical treatment visa Visit visa for medical treatment
Saudi Arabia has a dedicated visit visa for people coming for treatment, applied for through the KSA Visa services portal; Saudi hospitals can also request it for a patient through the Foreign Ministry's medical treatment service.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days per entry - Transit visa Stopover transit visa (up to 96 hours) and air, land and sea transit visas
Passengers flying through Saudi Arabia with Saudia or flynas can add a free stopover visa while booking; it allows one entry and up to 96 hours in the country, and Muslim travellers can use it for Umrah.
Maximum stay: Up to 96 hours after arrival (stopover visa) - Culture, sports and events visa Umrah visa (Nusuk) and Hajj visa
The Umrah visa is a visit visa for Muslims of all nationalities, issued through Nusuk and licensed providers; since July 2026 a multiple-entry version is valid for 365 days with a cumulative stay of up to 90 days.
Maximum stay: Umrah visa: up to 90 days (cumulative for the multiple-entry version). Hajj visa: Hajj season only
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Visit visa for business
The business visit visa is open to all nationalities for meetings, conferences, events and partnership talks, but not for work under a permanent Saudi employment contract.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days per entry - Investor visa Investor Residency (Premium Residency)
Investor Residency gives investors direct, conditional permanent residency when their own share in Saudi companies licensed by the Ministry of Investment is worth at least SAR 7,000,000, the capital has actually been injected and at least ten employees are employed within that share.
Validity: Permanent, conditional on keeping SAR 7 million invested and 10 employees for the first two years - Entrepreneur and start-up visa Entrepreneur Residency (Premium Residency)
Entrepreneur Residency is the Premium Residency product for start-up founders holding an entrepreneur licence from the Ministry of Investment.
Validity: Category 1: fixed-term residency as set by the Center. Category 2: permanent, conditional on the job targets
Study and training
- Student visa Education visa (study visa for Saudi universities)
The education visa is for students admitted to a Saudi university.
Maximum stay: For the duration of the study programme
Work
- Work visa Work visa (permanent, temporary or seasonal) and iqama
You cannot apply for a Saudi work visa on your own: a Saudi employer first obtains a visa authorisation through Qiwa, the Ministry of Human Resources platform, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs then issues the permanent, temporary or seasonal work visa through KSA Visa.
Maximum stay: For the length of the employment contract, renewed through the iqama - Skilled worker visa Special Talent Residency and Gifted Residency (Premium Residency)
Special Talent Residency is the Premium Residency product for researchers, healthcare and scientific professionals and senior executives employed by approved Saudi entities, with monthly salary floors of SAR 14,000, SAR 35,000 and SAR 80,000 respectively.
Validity: Five years, renewable once if the criteria are still met
Family
- Family reunification visa Residence visa for family members of residents and citizens
The residence visa lets Saudi citizens and foreign residents sponsor their immediate relatives to live with them: permanently for citizens' families, or for as long as the resident's own iqama is valid.
Maximum stay: As long as the sponsor's residence remains valid (permanent for families of citizens)
Residence
- Golden visa and residence by investment Premium Residency: Real Estate Owner Residency and Limited / Unlimited Duration Premium Residency
Saudi Arabia's residence-by-investment options sit under Premium Residency.
Validity: Real Estate Owner: as long as the property is held (off-plan: ownership must transfer within 5 years). Limited Duration: 1–5 years, renewable. Unlimited Duration: permanent - Permanent residence Permanent (unlimited) Premium Residency – all routes
Permanent residency in Saudi Arabia is granted only through Premium Residency.
Validity: Indefinite, subject to the product's conditions and the Premium Residency Law
Online travel permits
- e-Visa Tourist eVisa (visit visa for tourism, electronic)
Citizens of the countries on the Saudi eVisa list can obtain a tourist visit visa online through KSA Visa and receive it by email, often within minutes.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in Saudi Arabia - Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for UK citizens
Since 1 July 2026 the Foreign Ministry has offered an Electronic Travel Authorization to citizens of the United Kingdom holding any type of British passport.
Maximum stay: Up to 180 days within one year, in one visit or several
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Most travellers need one. Nationals of the countries on the eVisa list, and holders of a US, UK or Schengen visa or US, UK or EU residence, can get a tourist visit visa online through KSA Visa before travelling; UK citizens can also use the ETA. Everyone else applies via KSA Visa and a visa centre or Saudi embassy. Work, study and residence always require the matching visa.
What does a Saudi tourist visa cost?
KSA Visa publishes a USD 80 visa fee plus a USD 10.50 visa digital-service fee and a USD 10.50 insurance digital-service fee; the health insurance premium is added on top and depends on the insurer you choose.
Can I perform Umrah on a tourist visa?
Yes, Muslim visitors may perform Umrah on a tourist or other visit visa outside the Hajj season, after booking an Umrah permit on Nusuk. No visit visa of any kind allows Hajj.
What happens if a visitor enters Makkah during the Hajj season?
In 2026 the Interior Ministry announced fines of up to SAR 20,000 for holders of any visit visa who enter, try to enter or stay in Makkah and the holy sites from 1 Dhu al-Qadah to 14 Dhu al-Hijjah, with deportation and a 10-year ban for people trying to perform Hajj irregularly.
Can I work in Saudi Arabia on a visit visa?
No. Visit visas cover tourism, business meetings, family visits, events, treatment and Umrah. Employment requires a work visa issued after a Saudi employer obtains authorisation through Qiwa.
Is there a Saudi golden visa?
The closest equivalent is Premium Residency, run by the Premium Residency Center. It includes residency for property owners with at least SAR 4 million in residential real estate, investors with SAR 7 million, entrepreneurs, special talents and paid residency at SAR 100,000 per year or SAR 800,000 for unlimited duration.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 25 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.