Saudi Arabia stopover and transit visas

Visit Saudi states that anyone booking a flight with Saudia or flynas can request the stopover visa, provided Saudi Arabia is a stop on the way to the final destination and the stay does not exceed 96 hours. Holiday travellers and people with business meetings en route may use it. Travellers on other airlines, or crossing by road to a neighbouring country or disembarking temporarily from a ship, use the air, land or sea transit visas that KSA Visa lists on its services portal.

The visa itself is free. For Saudia bookings Visit Saudi lists an application fee of about SAR 39.50 (USD 10.50) and medical insurance starting at SAR 13 (USD 3.45); both are paid with the request. The visa is single entry and valid for three months, with the stay capped at 96 hours.

Choose a routing through a Saudi airport on the Saudia or flynas website, tick the stopover visa option and enter passport details; Visit Saudi says this takes about three minutes at the point of booking. The request can be made up to 90 days before travel. Once the booking is confirmed and paid, the visa is emailed almost immediately after approval. Passengers who want more than 96 hours, or who fly another airline, can use the regular tourist eVisa instead if their nationality is on the eVisa list.

You may leave the airport, stay up to 96 hours from arrival, visit cities, attend events and drive if you hold an approved international driving licence. Muslim travellers may perform Umrah or visit the Prophet's Mosque after scheduling the appointment on Nusuk; Hajj needs a Hajj permit and is not possible on this visa. Work is not allowed.

Visit Saudi runs a 24-hour tourist helpline on 930. For transit visas other than the airline stopover, the services portal of KSA Visa is the official channel.