Middle East entry requirements

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 7 min read

The Middle East is a diverse region for travel logistics: some countries have made entry remarkably simple in recent years, while others maintain complex restrictions — and a few key border sensitivities still complicate multi-country itineraries. This guide covers the four most-visited destinations for Western travellers: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel, with particular attention to the Israel passport-stamp question that affects onward travel.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE has one of the region's most visitor-friendly entry systems. Citizens of many countries — including the UK, EU states, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan — receive a 30-day visa on arrival at no charge, extendable for a further 30 days. This is available at all UAE international airports (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and others). You do not need to apply in advance; the visa is stamped at the airport.

For longer stays and certain nationalities, the UAE offers various visa categories including a 60-day tourist visa and a 90-day multi-entry visa through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) portal. The UAE also offers a Golden Visa for long-term residents and a remote-work visa, but these are outside the scope of tourist visits.

Practical notes: the UAE has strict laws around behaviour that may not be illegal elsewhere, including on alcohol consumption in public, public displays of affection, and dress standards in certain settings. Check your government's travel advice for current guidance, particularly if you plan to drive — see also our guide to driving in the UAE.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia opened to leisure tourism in 2019 and has since expanded its eVisa system significantly. Citizens of around 60 nationalities — including the UK, EU states, the US, Canada, Australia and many Asian countries — can apply for a Saudi Tourist eVisa online through the official Visitsaudi.com portal or the Saudi eVisa website. The visa allows multiple entries over a 12-month period, with each stay up to 90 days.

The application is straightforward and can be completed in a few minutes online; approval is typically rapid (often within minutes for nationalities with automatic approval). The fee is modest by regional standards. Women no longer require a male guardian (mahram) to visit Saudi Arabia for tourism — a major policy change in recent years — and dress codes for foreign women in tourist areas are less strict than previously enforced, though modesty remains the appropriate approach particularly outside major cities and resorts.

Key entry requirements include a passport valid for at least 6 months, a return or onward ticket, and accommodation details. Some nationalities not on the eVisa-eligible list will need to apply through a Saudi embassy; some may face restrictions based on their country of origin. Check the official Saudi eVisa portal for the current eligibility list.

Saudi Arabia has major new tourist projects under development — NEOM, AlUla, Diriyah — alongside established destinations such as Riyadh, Jeddah and the Red Sea coast.

Jordan

Jordan has long been one of the Middle East's most accessible countries for Western visitors. Citizens of the UK, EU states, the US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can obtain a visa on arrival at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport and at some land borders. The fee covers a single-entry 30-day stay, extendable through the Ministry of the Interior.

Alternatively, Jordan offers an online e-Visa system that can be completed before departure. The Jordan Pass — combining the visa fee with admission to Petra and many other sites — can represent good value for visitors planning to spend several days in the country and visit the major archaeological sites.

Practical notes: if you are crossing from Israel to Jordan via the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge (the crossing most commonly used from Jerusalem), note that this is not a standard Jordanian border for VOA purposes — visa arrangements at this crossing differ, and you should confirm your entry method in advance. The Aqaba (Wadi Araba) and Sheikh Hussein (Jordan River) crossings operate under standard VOA arrangements.

Jordan includes some of the Middle East's most remarkable historical sites: Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, the Dead Sea, and the desert castles of the Eastern Badia. See our guide to the routes section for inter-city journey options within the region.

Israel

Israel is one of the most-visited countries in the Middle East and has straightforward entry for many nationalities. Citizens of the UK, EU states, the US, Canada and many others enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Arrival is most commonly through Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv.

Israel's security checks at entry are notably thorough compared to most other countries. Passengers — particularly those who have recently visited certain countries, or who are travelling on specific routes — may face detailed questioning and extended processing times. This is standard and does not necessarily indicate a problem; allow significant extra time if you are connecting to an onward flight from Ben Gurion on the same day.

The Israel passport-stamp issue

This is one of the most practically important points for travellers planning a multi-country Middle East itinerary. Several countries in the region — historically including most Arab states — have refused entry to travellers with Israeli stamps in their passports. The situation has changed significantly in recent years following peace and normalisation agreements, but has not resolved uniformly across the region:

• Jordan and Egypt have had peace treaties with Israel for decades and their borders are open in both directions. An Israeli stamp does not prevent entry to Jordan or Egypt.
• UAE and Bahrain normalised relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords (2020) and Israeli stamps are no longer an obstacle for entry.
• Saudi Arabia: as of mid-2026, Saudi Arabia had not formally normalised relations with Israel (though diplomatic discussions were ongoing). The situation is evolving — check very current advice before planning a combined Saudi–Israel itinerary.
• Countries outside normalisation arrangements: several Middle Eastern and some other countries still do not recognise Israel and may refuse entry to holders of Israeli stamps. This particularly affects some countries in the wider Arab League and parts of Africa and Asia.

Israel does not stamp passports at Ben Gurion Airport on exit and has not done so routinely for some years. On entry, Israeli border officers generally stamp your entry visa on a separate slip of paper rather than directly in your passport, though this practice may vary. If you have concerns about onward travel, ask explicitly at the time of entry whether a stamp will be placed in your passport. For entry at land borders — the Jordan and Egypt crossings — a stamp is more likely to appear directly in the passport.

If you have already accumulated Israeli entry evidence and need to travel to a country that may refuse entry, a new passport is sometimes the practical solution — but this comes with its own complications if you have valid visas in the old document. The safest approach is to plan your route carefully before you travel.

Practical tips for multi-country travel in the region

• Always check entry requirements for your specific passport, not just your citizenship — dual nationals sometimes face different rules at different borders.
• Keep sufficient funds: some countries require evidence of financial means on entry, though this is rarely checked rigorously for visitors from wealthier countries with return tickets.
• Dress modestly when entering more conservative areas — both for cultural respect and because dress standards can be checked at border posts in some countries.
• Travel insurance is strongly recommended throughout the region and mandatory for entry to some countries.

For broader visa checking, see our guide to whether you need a visa.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit Saudi Arabia as a tourist now?

Yes. Saudi Arabia opened a Tourist eVisa scheme in 2019 and has expanded it steadily. Citizens of around 60 nationalities can apply online. The kingdom is investing heavily in tourism infrastructure, and a growing range of cultural and natural sites are open to visitors.

Will an Israeli passport stamp stop me entering other Middle Eastern countries?

It depends on the country and when your visit takes place. Following normalisation agreements, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Egypt all accept travellers with Israeli stamps. Saudi Arabia's situation is evolving. Several other Arab League countries still restrict entry for holders of Israeli stamps — plan your route carefully in advance.

Do I need a visa to visit Jordan?

Most Western nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport and major land borders, or via Jordan's e-Visa system. The Jordan Pass combines the visa fee with entry to Petra and other sites, which can offer good value. Confirm the current situation for your nationality before travel.

How long are security checks at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel?

Check-in queues and security at Ben Gurion can be longer and more detailed than at most other international airports, with thorough questioning of passengers on some routes. Allow at least 3 hours before departure for international flights, and more if you are on a route that historically receives closer scrutiny. Arrival processing can also be extended for some passengers.