Saudi Arabia opened to leisure tourism only in 2019, and the eVisa introduced at the same time is what made that possible: an online application, open to a substantial list of nationalities, that removes the need for a sponsor or a physical visa application in most cases. It's a genuinely straightforward system on paper, but a few details — who actually qualifies, how it differs from an Umrah visa, and what's expected of visitors once they arrive — regularly catch travellers out. As with any visa question, treat this as a starting point and confirm your own situation with the official portal and your government's current travel advice before booking anything.
Who's eligible for the Saudi eVisa
The eVisa is available to citizens of a substantial number of countries, spanning much of Europe, North America, and parts of Asia and elsewhere — but eligibility lists are reviewed and can change, so the only reliable way to confirm whether your passport qualifies is the official eVisa portal itself at the time you apply. Some travellers may instead need to apply through a Saudi embassy or consulate in the ordinary way, particularly if their nationality isn't on the eVisa list or their purpose of travel doesn't fit the tourist eVisa's terms. Don't assume eligibility from an out-of-date blog post or forum thread — check the current list directly.
How to apply: the official eVisa portal
Applications are made online through Saudi Arabia's official eVisa portal, where you submit passport details, a digital photo and travel information, and pay the visa fee electronically. Processing is generally fast for straightforward applications, often within a matter of days, but apply with enough buffer before your trip in case of delays or requests for additional information. As with any government visa system, be wary of third-party websites that charge a substantial mark-up for what is, on the official portal, a direct and moderately priced application — search for the portal by name rather than clicking the first paid search result.
What the eVisa allows: validity and length of stay
The tourist eVisa has historically allowed a lengthy overall validity with multiple entries and a maximum stay per visit measured in months rather than weeks, considerably more generous than many comparable tourist visas elsewhere. That said, these specifics — validity period, permitted stay length, and entry allowances — are exactly the kind of detail that can be revised by the Saudi authorities, so confirm the current terms on the eVisa portal itself when you apply, rather than relying on a fixed figure from elsewhere, including this guide.
The Umrah note: why pilgrimage visas are different
The tourist eVisa is not the same thing as an Umrah visa, and travellers sometimes conflate the two. Umrah — the pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken outside the fixed Hajj season — has historically required a specific pilgrimage visa arranged through approved channels or agents, separate from general tourism, and Saudi authorities have increasingly consolidated Umrah bookings and visas through dedicated official platforms rather than the general tourist eVisa route. If your primary purpose is Umrah, check the current Umrah-specific application process rather than assuming a tourist eVisa covers it. Separately, non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the holy sites in Mecca and Medina regardless of visa type — this is a longstanding and strictly enforced rule, not a formality.
Dress and conduct: what's expected
Saudi Arabia has relaxed a number of its dress requirements for tourists since opening up in 2019 — the abaya is no longer a strict legal requirement for foreign women in the way it once was — but modest dress is still very much the social norm and generally the sensible, respectful choice: loose-fitting clothing that covers shoulders and knees is a safe default for both men and women in public. Expectations can also vary somewhat by location, with more conservative dress generally expected outside major cosmopolitan hubs and tourist zones. When in doubt, err on the side of more modest and less form-fitting clothing, particularly the first time you're navigating a specific city or region.
Alcohol, public conduct and other rules to know
Alcohol remains illegal in Saudi Arabia for residents and visitors alike, with no legal exceptions for tourists — don't expect to find it available anywhere, including hotels. Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon and best avoided. During Ramadan, eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight fasting hours is generally expected to be avoided out of respect, even for non-Muslim visitors, though specific local rules and enforcement can vary — plan around this if your trip falls during the holy month. These are areas where local norms and enforcement can shift, so a quick check of current guidance from your own government's travel advice before you go is worthwhile, particularly if your trip includes anything outside the most cosmopolitan areas.
Common mistakes and catches
- Assuming the tourist eVisa covers Umrah. It may not, particularly during busier religious periods — check the current Umrah-specific process if that's your purpose.
- Applying through an unofficial third-party site. Stick to the government portal to avoid inflated fees and potential scams.
- Not checking eligibility before booking flights. Confirm your nationality is on the current eVisa list before committing to non-refundable travel.
- Underestimating dress and conduct norms outside major cities. What's comfortable in a cosmopolitan hotel district may not be appropriate elsewhere in the country.
Planning your trip around the eVisa
Once your eVisa is approved, plan your itinerary the way you would for any first-time destination with unfamiliar norms: build in some buffer before major bookings in case of processing delays, check current guidance closer to your travel date since rules have shifted repeatedly since 2019, and consider how the visa fits into a wider regional trip. Saudi Arabia sits alongside a cluster of Gulf countries with their own, broadly similar eVisa systems — see our Saudi & Gulf e-visas guide for how the UAE and Qatar compare, and our Middle East entry requirements guide for the wider regional picture. If you're combining Saudi Arabia with a stop in the UAE, our Dubai to Abu Dhabi and driving in the UAE guides cover getting around once you're in the Gulf, and our ferries in the Persian Gulf guide covers the sea crossings that link parts of the region.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Saudi Arabia eVisa?
A substantial list of nationalities, though the exact list is reviewed and can change — confirm your eligibility on the official eVisa portal before booking travel, rather than relying on older information.
Is the tourist eVisa the same as an Umrah visa?
Not necessarily. Umrah pilgrimage has historically involved separate visa arrangements from general tourism, increasingly routed through dedicated official Umrah platforms — check the current process if pilgrimage is your purpose of travel.
Do women need to wear an abaya in Saudi Arabia now?
It's no longer a strict legal requirement for foreign visitors, but modest, loose-fitting clothing covering shoulders and knees remains the sensible and respectful default in public.
Is alcohol available for tourists in Saudi Arabia?
No. Alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia for residents and visitors alike, with no exceptions for tourists, including in hotels.
Sources and further reading:
- Saudi Arabia's official eVisa portal — eligibility, application and current visa terms.
- Your own government's travel advisory — current entry, dress and conduct guidance for Saudi Arabia.
- Official Saudi tourism authority — general visitor information and regional guidance.