How to Apply: Electronic Visa Waiver
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Present your Passport and the Document we provide upon entry to destination country
How to Apply: Embassy Registration
Complete our easy online application and pay with credit card or PayPal
Your embassy will assist you if an emergency (eg. Natural disasters, civil unrest, etc) occur
Why Register with the Embassy
Required Information to Apply
Once You Have Registered With Your Embassy Or Consulate, You Will Need To Update Your Data If:
- your contact details change,
- your civil status changes,
- you are going back to your home country.
Learn More: Electronic Visa Waiver
What you need to know
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The Saudi Arabia Electronic Visa Waiver is a single-entry electronic travel document that allows you to visit the country for tourist, business, educational, or medical purposes.
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Only nationals from the United Kingdom can apply for this travel document.
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You can’t work with the Saudi Arabia Electronic Visa Waiver.
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The Saudi Arabia Electronic Visa Waiver is valid for 6 months.
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With iVisa you can apply 100% online in less than 20 minutes.
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Your passport needs to be at least 6 months from the date of your application.
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Children also need this visa to enter the country and can’t travel alone.
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You can apply between 90 days to 48 hours before your travel for this visa, giving you flexibility according to your plans.
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iVisa is a legitimate company, accredited and recognized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see the FAQs below.
Apply today for the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver with us!
Last updated: September 2023
Saudi Arabia is a captivating nation steeped in history, culture, and abundant business prospects. If you're considering a journey to this beautiful country, you may need the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver.
This travel document allows eligible travelers to explore Saudi Arabia for tourism, conducting business, pursuing studies, or seeking medical treatment. The Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) streamlines the process, allowing for easier travel.
Explore all the essential details of the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver, who is eligible, how to apply, and the costs. Download our user-friendly iVisa app for an even smoother experience!
What is the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver?
The Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) for Saudi Arabia simplifies the application process, making travel to Saudi Arabia more accessible. With this document, you can enter Saudi Arabia by air, land, and sea.
One of the benefits of the visa waiver is that you can get it 100% online from the comfort of your own home. No need to visit a Saudi Arabian Embassy or Consulate!
What can you do with the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver?
With this travel document, you can visit Saudi Arabia without a visa to:
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Explore the country as a tourist.
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Meet with business partners.
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Seek medical treatment.
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Pursue short-term studies.
What can’t you do with the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver?
You can’t work or live in Saudi Arabia.
Who can apply for the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver?
To be eligible for the visa waiver, you must meet the following criteria:
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Nationality: You must have a passport from a country with a visa waiver agreement with Saudi Arabia (more info below).
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Purpose of travel: Visa waivers are typically granted for specific purposes, such as tourism, business meetings, academic studies, or medical treatment. You’ll have to indicate this during the application process.
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Valid passport: Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure from Saudi Arabia.
Who is eligible for the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver?
Saudi Arabia has introduced the visa waiver only for nationals from the United Kingdom.
However, more nationalities may be added to the visa waiver program soon. Stay tuned!
Visa-exempt: Who doesn't need to apply for the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver?
Currently, the only travelers who won’t need a visa or visa waiver to visit Saudi Arabia are those from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
UK citizens who want to stay longer than the visa waiver allows or are traveling for different reasons, may need to apply for a Saudi Arabian Visa instead. Explore your options by using our handy Visa Checker Tool.
All other travelers must apply for a Saudi Arabia Visa before visiting the country.
Do minors/children need to apply for the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver?
Children from the United Kingdom also need the EVW to enter the country and can’t travel alone. A parent or guardian must accompany them at all times.
How long is the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver valid?
With the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver, you can visit the country hassle-free for up to 180 days per entry. It’s a Single entry document, which means you can use the visa waiver only once to enter the country.
You can apply for your visa waiver 90 days to 48 hours before your trip. The sooner, the better!
Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver required documents
You only need the following documents to apply:
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Copy of your valid passport: Make sure it's valid for at least six months from your intended departure date from the country.
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Passport photo
How to apply for the Saudi Arabia Electronic Visa Waiver online
To get your Saudi Arabia Electronic Visa Waiver with us, just follow these few steps:
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Step 1: Complete the simple application process on our website or via our app by filling out your travel itinerary and personal details. Make sure to double-check all information!
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Step 2: Choose how soon you’d like to receive the visa waiver based on your travel plans and budget, and pay the fees on our secure payment platform.
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Step 3: Upload a passport scan and photo and complete the rest of the required information before clicking ‘Submit’!
We will contact you if we need any more information about your application.
Once your visa waiver is reviewed by our team and approved by the Saudi Arabian government, you'll receive it via email. You should keep an electronic and printed copy of the document on hand to show on arrival.
Saudi Arabia Electronic Visa Waiver costs and processing times
We’ll carefully review your information and accompany you every step of the way if you run into any issues. Choose your preferred processing time from the following options:
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Standard - 24 hours: Price per applicant USD $64.99.
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Rush - 4 hours: Price per applicant USD $73.99.
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Super Rush - 30 minutes: Price per applicant USD $89.99.
The government fee of USD $40.00 is included in the above costs. You can conveniently pay all fees with a debit or credit card, PayPal, Amazon Pay, or Venmo when applying with us.
Do I need this visa waiver to transit through Saudi Arabia?
If you’re transiting through Saudi Arabia, you may need a transit visa if the connecting time between your flights is more than 12 hours.
Once your ticket is issued, you should confirm with your airline or travel agency if you need a transit visa and how to apply.
Saudi Arabia entry requirements or restrictions
There are currently no COVID-19 restrictions in Saudi Arabia. However, check the latest updates with your airline or the Saudi Arabia health website.
Differences between the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver and the Tourist Visa
Visa waiver or tourist visa, which one is right for you? To help you choose, check the key differences between the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver and the Tourist Visa:
- Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver: Eligibility depends on your nationality and whether your country has a visa waiver agreement with Saudi Arabia.
This visa waiver can be applied for 100% online, generally only taking up to a few days to receive. It can be used for a visit of up to 6 months for business, tourism, medical treatment, and studies.
- Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa: The Tourist Visa is available to travelers from various countries worldwide, and eligibility is not limited to specific nationalities. However, the costs are significantly higher than a visa waiver.
This visa is primarily intended for tourists and grants shorter durations of stay, often 30 days, 90 days, or 180 days, depending on the type of visa applied for and the traveler's needs.
- Other visas: Muslim tourists may perform Umrah on both a tourist visa and visa waiver. Keep in mind that both documents are not the official Umrah Visa, which may offer additional privileges.
A separate visa is needed for visiting Saudi Arabia during Hajj. Hajj visas can be applied for via the Saudi Arabian government.
Where can I learn more about the Saudi Arabia Visa Waiver?
If you have any questions about the visa waiver or another visa for Saudi Arabia, don’t hesitate to reach out! Our customer service team can assist via online chat or you can contact us on WhatsApp.
Ask iVisa
Have a visa question? we'll provide the answer.
Questions?
Am I eligible for the EVW with a European passport from the UK?
Mel S, UK | July 11, 2024
My family and I live in London and are planning our Umrah journey, inshallah. I’m originally from Spain and have a European passport. We’ve been living in the UK for a few years now. I recently heard about the electronic visa waiver that might simplify our travel to Saudi Arabia, but I’m not sure if it’s only available to UK citizens. Can we apply for this waiver from the UK with our European passports, or do I need to look into a different type of visa?
Cami, iVisa | July 15, 2024
The Saudi Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) is currently designed specifically for UK citizens. If you have a European passport and reside in the UK, you typically would not be eligible for the EVW based on your citizenship. You would need to apply for an Umrah visa or a Saudi Tourist eVisa, both of which are suitable for your travel purposes.
Can I adjust the travel dates on the EVW?
Karen R, UK | July 20, 2024
I had planned to travel on the 31st of July to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia. However, I’m now hoping to leave a bit earlier, around the 25th of July, to spend a full week in Makkah. My electronic visa waiver, though, lists my arrival date as the 31st. If I arrive earlier than the date on the EVW, will this cause any issues at the Saudi border? Or will I need to apply for a new EVW to adjust the dates?
Martin, iVisa | July 22, 2024
If you plan to arrive earlier than the date specified on your Electronic Visa Waiver, you would need to apply for a new EVW with the updated travel dates. The EVW is strict about entry and exit dates, and arriving earlier than stated can lead to issues at the border, including potential denial of entry.
Can i use the EVW to perform Umrah?
Joel M, UK | July 28, 2024
I’m traveling from Birmingham to SA and I want to use the e-visa waiver program. I’d like to know if I can use the waiver to perform Umrah during my visit. Also, does traveling on this visa waiver require a meningitis vaccination like the Umrah visa?
Cami, iVisa | July 30, 2024
Yes, you can use the Electronic Visa Waiver to perform Umrah, provided it is not during the Hajj season. Regarding health requirements, while the EVW does not include health insurance, it is highly recommended that you have valid health insurance for your trip. Unlike specific Umrah visas, the EVW does not typically stipulate a meningitis vaccination, but checking the latest health advisories and requirements before your travel is always a good idea.
iVisa's accreditations and recognitions
Our Company is accredited and recognized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and has a validated IATA Agency Code. If you want to check this information you can verify our membership using our bearing No. 23716873 at http://store.iata.org/ieccacfree.
Remember that the customer service team at iVisa is here 24/7 to answer any questions you may have about our service.
How long does it take to apply for a Saudi Arabia Electronic Visa Waiver?
When should I apply for the Saudi Arabia Electronic Visa Waiver?
You can apply between 90 days to 48 hours before your travel for this visa, giving you flexibility according to your plans.
How long is the Saudi Arabia Electronic Visa Waiver valid?
What requirements does my passport need to have to apply for the Saudi Arabia Electronic Visa Waiver?
Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
Please don’t hesitate to contact our customer service agents if you have further questions, they’re available for you 24/7.
How do processing times work?
Where can I read more?
- How to get a Saudi Arabia eVisa as a Taiwanese citizen
- How Indian citizens can get an Umrah visa for Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia vaccine requirements: Do I need a vaccine to travel to Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia Umrah visa guide for Indonesian citizens
- Saudi Arabia eVisa processing time
- Saudi Arabia e-visa for French citizens
- Saudi Arabia Visa Fee For Us Citizens
- Saudi Arabia e-visa validity and duration guidelines for 2024
- Saudi Arabia Umrah visa for citizens of Australia: Requirements and process
- Saudi Arabia e-visa for Germans
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