Yes, the visa is a necessary document for tourists to travel to Saudi Arabia. Citizens of 51 countries, including the United States, can now apply for an electronic visa (e-visa) that will allow them to enter Saudi Arabia. To do so, nationals of the United States must ensure that they meet the Saudi Arabia e-visa requirements.
Do I need a transit visa for Saudi Arabia?
If you have a layover in any Saudi Arabian airport for 18-72 hours or are planning to travel through KSA on your way to another country, you will need a Saudi Arabia transit visa. Furthermore, you will need to apply for Saudi Arabia visa before your trip as transit visas are not issued at the airport. You can apply online on our website.
Can a US citizen get a fully electronic visa for Saudi Arabia?
This fully electronic visa allows holders access to the country for reasons of tourism for up to 90 days at a time. Citizens from around 50 different countries – including the United States – can now apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) to provide entry to Saudi Arabia.
Can US citizens drive in Saudi Arabia right now?
Beginning on June 24, 2018, women have been able to obtain a driver’s license and can legally drive in Saudi Arabia. With a valid visitor visa and U.S. or international driver’s license, visitors may drive a rental car.
Can a US citizen travel to Mecca with an electronic visa?
A standard visa does not allow access to Mecca. United States nationals who receive a Saudi Arabia electronic visa will also receive an insurance policy linked to their eVisa. This is a compulsory requirement for United States tourists traveling to Saudi Arabia.
Is transit visa required for connecting flights in 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 the ticket is issued, you should confirm with your airline or travel agency if you need a transit visa.
Can US citizen get Saudi visa on arrival?
Travelers with a valid visa for the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and the United States are also eligible for a Saudi visa on arrival.
What does a US citizen need to travel to Saudi Arabia?
A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter or exit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A minimum of six months' validity beyond the date of travel is recommended.
Can a US citizen go to Saudi Arabia?
The Saudi visa policy states that all US citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia regardless of how long they intend to stay or the motive for their visit to the Kingdom. US citizens can now travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes with an eVisa obtained online.
Can I get transit visa at Jeddah airport?
The visa process can be completed either through self-service machines or the passport offices. In case you are travelling to Saudi Arabia via UAE, you will be required to have a transit visa. The UAE transit visa is mandatory for all citizens who are not eligible for a visa on arrival.
How can I get Saudi transit visa?
Here is the list of requirements to be submitted to the Saudi Embassy/Consulate to apply for a transit visa.Passport with validity of at least 6 months.Residence permits of the country from where you are applying.One recent passport-sized photograph.A Saudi Visa questionnaire filled out and signed.More items...
How much does Saudi eVisa cost?
What does the Saudi Arabia Visa Cost? The Saudi Arabia visa cost USD 144.00 which does not include the service fee. The Saudi Arabia eVisa may be purchased online for USD 170.49 which includes standard processing fees.
Can an American woman travel to Saudi Arabia?
Getting to Saudi Arabia as a woman Contrary to popular belief based on the old way things were working, foreign women can travel to Saudi Arabia independently without the need for a male chaperone, such as their husband or their brother.
How much is a Saudi tourist visa?
Visa fees (SAR 300) and insurance (SAR 140). The amount in SAR is equivalent to $123 dollars. The visa is valid for up to one full year (365 days) with a maximum 90-day duration of stay at one time and multiple entries.
Which countries do not need visa for Saudi Arabia?
Nationals of the following five countries do not require a visa to visit Saudi Arabia and may use national ID Cards to enter the country:Bahrain.Kuwait.Oman.Qatar.United Arab Emirates.
Is Saudi Arabia safe for American tourists?
Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian facilities. Exercise increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do I need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia?
Yes, All foreigners who want to enter Saudi Arabia need both a passport and visa, which means that they need to apply for both documents. The Tourist eVisa is the most popular option for tourist that wish to visit Saudi Arabia for 90 days in Total.
Can an American woman travel to Saudi Arabia?
Getting to Saudi Arabia as a woman Contrary to popular belief based on the old way things were working, foreign women can travel to Saudi Arabia independently without the need for a male chaperone, such as their husband or their brother.
How can I get Umrah visa from USA?
To apply for an Umrah visa, you have to contact an approved travel agency in your home country. The travel agent will be in charge of preparing your application and your journey for the Umrah pilgrimage.
Does US citizen need visa for UAE?
U.S. citizens are subject to all UAE immigration laws. Passport Validity: A passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry is required to enter the UAE. Personal travel of 30 days or less: A U.S. citizen with a regular passport may obtain a no fee visitor visa upon arrival.
Do US citizens need visa for Qatar?
A visa is required for US citizens to travel to Qatar. US citizens must also hold a valid passport, and it is advisable that the passport have a minimum of six months remaining validity after the date the traveler plans to depart Qatar. Tourist visas to Qatar are typically valid for thirty days.
How much does it cost to get a transit visa for Saudi Arabia?
Indeed, I can extend this general advice: For many travelers, the $30 you need to pay for a Saudi transit visa pales in comparison to the time and money you’ll be out if you actually required one but didn’t get it. To learn about the process of getting a transit visa to Saudi Arabia, visit the website of your nearest Saudi diplomatic mission, and follow the instructions you find there (or, if you have to call, do what the receptionist tells you).
Is Saudi Arabia open to tourists?
Saudi Arabia briefly opened to tourists before the coronavirus pandemic, but has since closed its borders to most foreign visitors, regardless of the reason for travel. It is likely that Saudi Arabia will resume its tourism push after Covid-19 goes away, although no one knows when that will be.
Can I travel to Saudi Arabia on a transit visa?
However, this is not official policy, so I do recommend procuring a Saudi Arabia transit visa if your connection will exceed 12 hours, even if all your travel is on Saudia.
Do I need a transit visa to fly through Saudi Arabia?
The good news? Not everyone needs a Saudi Arabia transit visa if they plan to fly through Riyadh or Jeddah on their next trip. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that the vast majority of travelers don’t need a transit visa, so long as they book strategically and do their homework before travel.
Do I need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia?
If you not a national of one of the few countries that do not require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, chances are high that you need a transit visa, depending (of course) on other facts. Namely, if you are not from Arab Muslim countries such as the UAE or Oman, it is almost certain that you need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia as a tourist, although this might not be the case during certain transit-only stays.
Is Saudi Arabia safe?
Saudi Arabia is an extremely safe country, so long as you follow its notoriously strict laws. While violent crime levels in Saudi Arabia are very low, you can put yourself in grave danger by drinking alcohol or engaging in content perceived to be immoral, or in opposition to Shariah law.
Can non-Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia?
In 2019, the government of Saudi Arabia began issu ing tourist visas to non-Muslims for the first time in modern history. These documents are relatively restrict (as is the case if you visit Iran, you’ll need to travel the entire time with a licensed tour guide), but they nonetheless open the Kingdom up to you (minus Mecca, naturally), which can be an illuminating experience indeed, especially if you haven’t traveled extensively in the Middle East.
How to apply for an e-visa to Saudi Arabia using our service?
E-visa application to Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes is an undemanding process. Especially while using our service to do that!
Can US citizens travel to Saudi Arabia?
The United States citizens are now eligible to travel to Saudi Arabia, thanks to the changes made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia on September 27th of 2019. The ministry introduced the modifications not so long ago; thus, there is so much to experience in Saudi Arabia.
What Is the Saudi Arabia eVisa for US Citizens?
According to the Saudi Arabia visa policy, American citizens planning a trip to the country need an online travel visa to enter the country if they are planning to visit for tourism purposes . This is known as the Saudi Arabian electronic visa or eVisa.
How Can I Apply for the Saudi Arabia eVisa as a United States National?
The only things United States nationals require to apply for a Saudi Arabia eVisa are an internet connection and the items listed below.
How Will I Receive my Saudi Arabia eVisa from the United States?
Once approved, the electronic visa is sent to the email address provided. It is also electronically linked to the US passport registered.
What Other Saudi Arabia Visa Options Are Available for Americans?
For United States citizens wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for business purposes, study, or to relocate to the country should contact a Saudi Arabia embassy or consulate to find out more about different visas available and how to apply for them.
Why did Saudi Arabia start evisa?
The Saudi Arabia eVisa was launched to facilitate travel for visitors from selected countries, including the United States.
What do I need to get a Saudi visa?
To apply for a Saudi Arabia eVisa, applicants will require the following: A passport-style photograph. An up-to-date passport with at least six months’ validity from the applicants’ dates of travel.
When is Hajj visa available?
Hajj visas are only available from the 8th to the 12th of the last month of the Muslim calendar each year. A standard visa does not allow access to Mecca.
Do I require a visa for transit in Saudi Arabia?
If you’re allowed to make a layover in Saudi Arabia, you may be required to obtain a transit visa beforehand should the connecting time between your flights is more than 12 hours. Once your flight ticket has been issued, you need to confirm with your airline or travel agency on whether or not a Saudi transit visa is required.
How much is the Saudi transit visa?
According to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the associated service fee for the transit visa is SAR 50.
Is Saudi Arabia open to international travel?
Despite the lifting of its air travel restrictions, Saudi Arabia is still primarily closed to non-essential travel. Eligible international visitors are mainly those travelling for government, business and other essential reasons, with non-Saudi tourist visa holders barred completely from entering the Kingdom.
Welcome to the Visa Unit
Visa Operations: The United States Mission to Saudi Arabia has resumed immigrant visa and nonimmigrant visa processing for all categories. Travelers can schedule appointments for the range of visa categories on-line.
Immigrant Visas
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Interview Waiver
All applicants require an interview appointment, except applicants applying for an official (A or G) visa and those who qualify for the interview waiver program. Generally, the following applicants may be eligible for an interview waiver:
What happens if you overstay your transit visa?
Be warned that if you overstay your transit visa you will be charged roughly $750 per day you have overstayed! Women travelling alone are not eligible for transit visas. If women are travelling with a male guardian, they will need to submit a copy of marriage or birth certificate upon applying for the visa.
Can I travel to Saudi Arabia during Hajj?
One final caveat: Saudi Arabia DO NOT issue transit visas for travelers going through Jeddah during Umrah and Hajj season!!! If you were hoping to do Hajj or Umrah on a transit visa while on a layover in Jeddah, simply do not. Not only will they not issue your visa and you will waste time and money, but entry into Mecca and Medina is illegal when on a transit visa. You must apply for a Hajj or Umrah visa.
Can a woman travel alone?
Women travelling alone are not eligible for transit visas. If women are travelling with a male guardian, they will need to submit a copy of marriage or birth certificate upon applying for the visa. Birth certificates must also be provided for children who must be travelling with their legal parents.
What is the punishment for not carrying a residency card in Saudi Arabia?
Failure to do so could result in a fine of 3,000 Saudi riyals and a jail sentence of six weeks.
Why is driving dangerous in Saudi Arabia?
Road Conditions and Safety: Driving in Saudi Arabia can be hazardous due to speeding and aggressive driving, lax enforcement of traffic regulations, and a high volume of traffic.
What is the work week in Saudi Arabia?
The normal work week in Saudi Arabia is Sunday through Thursday.
What is the level 4 travel health notice for Saudi Arabia?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Saudi Arabia due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.
Why should I reconsider my travel to Saudi Arabia?
Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian facilities. Exercise increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to terrorism. Do not travel to Saudi Arabia due to COVID-19. Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian facilities.
What are the penalties for violating Saudi Arabia's laws?
If you violate Saudi laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled; arrested; imprisoned; held without trial for lengthy periods of time; interrogated without counsel; subject to corporal punishments, including lashings; or executed.
How long does a passport last in Saudi Arabia?
A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter or exit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A minimum of six months’ validity beyond the date of travel is recommended.