If you are a citizen of an eVisa-eligible country, you can apply for a Saudi Arabia eVisa. It is an electronic travel authorization to visit the country for tourism, business, or family visits. You can easily apply for a visa online if you are a member of any of the 49 eVisa-eligible countries.  The eVisa permits travelers to enter the country without visiting an embassy or consulate. Eligible countries that can obtain eVisa for Saudi Arabia include the United States, Canada, Australia, the European Union, and many others. As we were from an eligible country, we were able to apply for a Saudi eVisa.  

If you’d like to know whether you are eligible for the eVisa, a complete list of eligible countries can be provided by the Embassy. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you fill out the application form for Saudi eVisa.  

Step-by-Step Application Form for Saudi Arabia eVisa  

If you are from an eVisa-eligible nation, you can start the application process by registering for a Saudi Arabia electronic visa for tourism purposes online. Remember, this must be done before your trip through the official eVisa portal.  

To obtain an eVisa for Saudi Arabia, we had to complete the online visa application form. We were required to enter the registration information generated during the registration process.  

Step 1: Registration Process for Saudi eVisa 

If you are a multiple passport holder, make sure at least one passport is valid for the Saudi eVisa application. We were required to register our email id.  

Furthermore, we had to create a password and follow the general directions (such as entering the verification code sent on our email ids) to start filling out the application for eVisa.  

Individual versus Group Visa 

You have the option to apply for an individual or a group eVisa for Saudi Arabia. In our case, we opted for an individual eVisa on the official platform.  

We were required to testify at the beginning if we were applying for ourselves or on behalf of someone else. Since we were applying for ourselves, we could easily proceed to the next section. 

Timer on the Saudi eVisa Application Form 

For us, a timer running while filling out the Saudi eVisa form was a unique experience. A timer appeared on the screen when we started filling out the Saudi eVisa application form. We could see that the entire Saudi eVisa form was timed for 10 minutes. 

Don’t worry; if you cannot fill in all the information on the eVisa application form within ten minutes, you can extend it. The platform saves the previously entered information. All in all, it just added to a sense of urgency while filling the form. 

Step 2: Guidelines for Photo 

We’ll cover the photo guidelines in detail as it is the first section of the Saudi eVisa application form. You can only proceed to the next section once you upload the photo on the eVisa application. 

Photo Requirements  

We had to upload our personal pictures at the very outset of the Saudi Arabia eVisa application form. To upload a photo, you must adhere to specific guidelines outlined on the Saudi eVisa website. 

Size and Format 

Below are the photo guidelines that you must follow:

• Your photo dimensions must be 200 x 200 pixels.  
• Your image size must range between 5 and 100 KB.  
• Acceptable file formats include .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, and .bmp.  

We uploaded our picture according to the above guidelines. Please note you cannot postpone uploading the picture as you cannot move to the next field till you update your picture.  

With the timer of ten minutes in the background, with seconds and minutes ticking away, we had to be ready with our photo quickly. Don’t worry if the designated time (ten minutes) to fill out the form runs out while uploading your photograph. Timer just adds to a sense of immediacy, you can always extend the time.

Facial Proportions  

Our advice to you is to follow the below-mentioned guidelines:

• Your photograph must have captured a close-up of your face and the top of the shoulders.  
• Your face should occupy 70% to 80% of the photo, or 1.4" x 1.6" from the chin to the crown of the head.  

Facial Clarity  

While filling out the Saudi eVisa form, you need to meet the following conditions:

• Your facial features must be visible.  
• Your picture should present a straightforward view from the chin’s tip to the head’s crown and both sides of the face.  

Hairstyle  

If you have voluminous hair, ensure the entire head (including the hairstyle) is depicted.  

• You should not try to reduce your face’s size.  
• We had to ensure the photo was recent. 
• We had to ensure that our photo was taken within the last six months to meet the guidelines. 

Background  

As photo criteria for the Saudi eVisa form is strict, you must ensure the following:

• Your photo must have a white, patternless background. 
• You alone must be in the photo, with no other individuals or objects.  
• Your background should be free of shadows.  

Expression and Pose  

If you are a Saudi eVisa applicant, you will need to do the following:

• Keep your head straight and not angled or turned.  
• Your face and eyes should be directed toward the camera, with both ears and cheeks visible.  

Headwear  

As experts on Natvisa Team do not wear a headwear, we were not required to meet the following conditions:

• Generally, headwear is not allowed, with exceptions made for religious reasons.  
• Your face must be visible from the chin’s lower tip to the forehead if headwear is worn.  

We had to ensure that no shadows appeared on our faces.  

Step 3: Personal Information  

To obtain an eVisa to stay in Saudi Arabia, we had to provide the following details:  

• Country of Nationality  
• First Name  
• Given Name  
• Father’s Name  
• Last Name (as on our passport)  
• Gender- Male/female  
• Marital Status (Single, married, divorced, widowed, or other)  
• Birth Country  
• City of Birth  
• Date of Birth  
• Profession  
• In case of a Minor- write none  
• Current Residence address  
• Country, City, Zip/Postal Code
• Address  

You must be at least 18 unless you are a minor traveling with a legal guardian.  

While filling out the above sections of the Saudi eVisa form, our designated 10 minutes expired. We could extend the application time for another ten minutes.  

You can do this multiple times, so there is no need to fret. Even if it takes you longer than ten minutes to complete the eVisa for Saudi Arabia, you always have the option to extend.  

In the next section, our application number was generated. It was visible on our screen.  

Step 4: Passport Information  

In this section, we had to provide the following details:  

• Passport Type (we could choose from the drop-down menu- diplomatic, special, regular)  
• Passport Number  
• Expected date of arrival  
• Expected date of departure  
• Passport Issuance Place (Country or City)  
• Passport Expiry and Issuance Date  

After filling in the above details on the Saudi eVisa form, we could click on the title of the popup window. It allowed us to scroll options in the months/years format.  

Most importantly, we had to ensure our passport was valid for at least six months from the online visa application submission date.  Please note that your electronic tourist visa for Saudi Arabia is valid for one year from the issuance date. Additionally, you can stay for ninety days in totality.  

Step 5: Reason to Visit Saudi Arabia

If you are from Saudi Arabia eVisa-eligible country, you must also provide the reason behind visiting the country. You need to select among the following options:  

• Event  
• Family and Relatives  
• Leisure  
• Umrah (a shorter version of the yearly Hajj pilgrimage, is the name given to a journey to Mecca. It is only for Muslims) 

We chose the option "Leisure" as we were going for tourism purposes. Still, it was followed by a short- questionnaire where we elaborated on our communication preferences.  

Additionally, you must answer if you want to receive the electronic visa for Saudi Arabia on an email other than your original email. You must answer this in a "Yes" or "No" format. Our answer was "No." If the answer is "Yes," you must give another email id.  

Additionally, we were required to answer whether we would like to receive the visa on a phone number other than the number provided for the eVisa application form. Again, we had to choose between a "Yes" or "No." Our answer was "No" for this as well. In case of "Yes," you must provide another phone number on the Saudi eVisa form.  

Step 6: Residence Address  

On the Saudi eVisa application form, we could choose between residential accommodation or staying with a relative in Saudi Arabia.  

If you plan to stay with a relative, you will have to provide details such as: 

• the Name of the person 
• City 
• Address 
• primary contact number 
• email 

If you have a reservation or booked commercial accommodation, you must provide your hotel name, address, phone number, and email.  

Step 7: Medical Insurance for Traveling to Saudi Arabia  

Please note that medical Insurance covers only emergency cases. On the evisa application form for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the following companies are approved and certified:  

• Arabian Shield Cooperative Insurance Company  
• Saudi United Cooperative Insurance (WALA’A)  
• Tawuniya Cooperative Insurance Company  
• BUPA Arabia for Cooperative Insurance  
• MedGulf Company  
• Gulf Union Cooperative Insurance Company  
• Al Sagr Cooperative Insurance Company  
• Al-Etihad Cooperative Insurance Company  
• Solidarity Saudi Takaful Company  
• Arabia Insurance Cooperative Company  
• Gulf Insurance Group (GIG)  
• Allianz Saudi Fransi Cooperative Insurance Company  
• Malath Cooperative Insurance & Reinsurance Company  
• Alinma Tokio Marine  
• Alrajhi Takaful for Cooperative Insurance  
• Saudi Arabian Cooperative Insurance Company (Saico)  

Remember, you need to put a tick mark on a box toward the end of the page. By checking this box, you agree to the insurance coverage listed above with a fee of 180.00 SAR.  

Step 8: Terms and Conditions  

You need to verify each piece of information you submit on the Saudi eVisa application form as true and correct. Additionally, we had to give consent to adhere to the following: 

• Saudi eVisa’s Terms and Conditions 
• the laws and rules of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
• the customs and Islamic traditions of its citizens during our stay in the nation

Remember, Saudi authorities retain the right to deny you entry if you do not abide by the rules and regulations or if it is determined that the information on your evisa form is inaccurate. Additionally, you can also be deported.  

Items deemed Not Appropriate 

It is best to remember that certain items are illegal in Saudi Arabia. This includes intoxicants, narcotics, publications, materials deemed not decent, and items related to worldviews or political ideologies incompatible with Islam. We advise you to check with the Saudi Arabia Embassy what items are considered inappropriate. 

We advise you to stay aware of the policies, restrictions, and consequences governing the personal use of medicines containing narcotic or psychoactive substances. It is best if you avoid carrying them. 

Rules and Regulations 

We had to attest that we had not been previously expelled from Saudi Arabia or any other GCC nation for disobeying the regulations. Additionally, we had to agree to abide by the type of visa issued, its conditions, and its duration. Moreover, we were expected to depart the nation before the Saudi evisa ended.  

We were required to be aware of the consequences of breaking the laws of the Kingdom or losing the entry permit. We also had to acknowledge that Saudi authorities had the right to deport us after reaching Saudi territory. Moreover, we could be sent back from the port of entry at our own cost in case of any discrepancy on the Saudi eVisa form.  

Acknowledgment 

You must acknowledge that Saudi authorities have the right to impose sanctions if they discover you have provided false information or incorrect documentation: 

• to receive a Saudi evisa  
• residence permit for yourself or another person 

You need to be aware that bringing drugs into the Kingdom illegally or through trafficking is a crime that carries the death sentence.  

Verification 

We were responsible for verifying that all information was given on the Saudi eVisa application form. Hence, you must ensure that it is accurate and corresponds with your passport’s information. Furthermore, we were made aware that the Saudi evisa application may be refused or canceled if any information was false.  

Saudi Tourist eVisa: Not for Work and Hajj 

We had to declare that we would only use our tourist visa (Saudi eVisa) for travel and will not use it for any paid or unpaid work-related activities. Additionally, we were required to refrain from conducting the Hajj in Saudi Arabia on the tourist eVisa.  

Please note you can use it for ’’Umrah’’ but not Hajj ( annual pilgrimage).

Step 9: Other Terms and Conditions of Saudi eVisa 

Additionally, we had to attest we were not going to Saudi Arabia for medical care and had no infectious disease. Remember, you must state that they have read and consented to the terms and conditions and the privacy policy before proceeding with the online application for a Saudi Arabia tourist visa. 

Conditions that May Apply to You  

Upon entrance into Saudi Arabia, the eVisa permits a stay of ninety days and is valid for a year. No expansion or renewal of the agreement will be granted after the initial ninety days have passed.  

Remember, if you are a non-Muslim, you are prohibited from accessing the two holy sites of Mecca and Medina. You will need to put a tick mark that they have read and agreed to all the terms and conditions.  

Step 10: Review Your Saudi eVisa Application  

In the review application section, you can change details related to any of the above sections in case you have made a mistake. In addition, a snapshot of your Saudi eVisa application is also available. 

Step 11: Payment for Saudi eVisa Application Form

For payment, the Saudi eVisa system uses 3D secure verification. You must ensure that this service is available through the card issuer. A one-time password, received via SMS from the issuer, is required to verify your fee payment.  

The eVisa fee for Saudi Arabia is 300.00 SAR; the Insurance Fee is 156.52 SAR, the VAT (15%) is 68.48 SAR, and the associated transaction fee is 9.98 SAR, for a total amount of 534.98 SAR (142.62 USD). Please note it can change anytime without notice.

You will have to declare that the details provided by you are true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief. In addition, they need to acknowledge that they cannot edit the application details once you proceed with the payment.  

Step 12: Payment Method  

You can use a credit or debit card to pay your eVisa fees for Saudi Arabia. The following options are listed on the official website:  

• Visa  
• Mastercard  
• Union Pay  
• American Express  
• Apple Pay  

You must then "Agree and Complete Payment" and proceed with your payment. To make payment, you will need to provide the following details:  

• Brand (visa, American Express, etc.)  
• Card number  
• Expiry date  
• Card Holder’s Name  
• CVV  

We received an email confirmation after our Saudi evisa application form was submitted and the processing fee was paid. Remember, the Saudi Arabia eVisa processing time typically ranges from 24 to 72 hours.  Furthermore, the Saudi eVisa is a one-year, multiple-entry visa enabling you to stay for up to 90 days. 

Print your eVisa for Saudi Arabia

You can make the payment and print your Saudi Arabia eVisa form for later use. Please note that a timer will no longer appear on the payment page. Moreover, you will no longer be prompted to finish the session within ten minutes. Hence, you will not be required to extend your Saudi evisa session. 

Conclusion  

We found the application process for a Saudi Arabia eVisa relatively straightforward. To visit Saudi Arabia, we only had to log in to the official eVisa website and complete the online application form.  We had to ensure all information we provided was accurate to avoid potential delays or rejection of the application. Upon approval, the eVisa for Saudi Arabia was emailed to us in PDF format.  

Obtaining a Saudi Arabia eVisa was convenient and relatively easy for us. Hopefully, this step-by-step guide to the Saudi Arabia eVisa application form will help you obtain your tourist visa to visit this beautiful nation.