The Saudi Arabia eVisa requirements include a valid passport with at least six months of validity, a recent passport-style photograph, an active email address, and a credit or debit card for payment. Citizens of 66 eligible countries can apply entirely online through the official portal.
Passport Requirements for the Saudi Arabia eVisa
Your passport is the most critical document for the Saudi eVisa application. The Saudi government enforces strict passport validity rules, and applications with passport issues are automatically rejected.
Validity Period
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into Saudi Arabia. For example, if you plan to enter Saudi Arabia on September 1, 2026, your passport must not expire before March 1, 2027. This rule applies regardless of the eVisa’s one-year validity period.
Travelers with passports expiring within six months should renew their passport before applying for the Saudi eVisa. Applying with a soon-to-expire passport will result in rejection, and the visa fee is non-refundable.
Blank Pages and Condition
Your passport must have at least one blank page available for the Saudi entry stamp. The passport should be in good physical condition – damaged, torn, or heavily worn passports may be rejected at the port of entry even with a valid eVisa.
Nationality Eligibility
The passport must be from one of the 66 countries eligible for the Saudi eVisa program. Dual nationals should apply using the passport from their eligible country. The eVisa is linked to the specific passport used during application, so you must enter Saudi Arabia with the same passport.
Photograph Requirements
A passport-style photograph is required as part of the Saudi Arabia eVisa application. The photo must meet specific standards to be accepted by the Saudi visa system.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Background | White or light-colored, plain |
| Face position | Full face, looking directly at camera |
| Head coverings | Not permitted (except religious) |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Dimensions | 35mm x 45mm (passport standard) |
| File format | JPEG or PNG |
| File size | Under 2MB |
| Recency | Taken within last 6 months |
The photo should clearly show your facial features without shadows, glare, or red-eye. Selfies and cropped group photos are not accepted. Many passport photo services and smartphone apps can produce compliant photos.
Medical Insurance Requirement
Medical insurance is mandatory for all Saudi Arabia eVisa holders. The Saudi government automatically enrolls each eVisa applicant in a basic medical insurance policy issued by an approved Saudi insurance provider.
What the Mandatory Insurance Covers
The mandatory medical insurance (SAR 140, included in the visa fee) provides:
– Emergency medical treatment up to SAR 100,000
– Hospitalization costs
– Emergency dental treatment
– Medical repatriation to home country
– COVID-19 treatment (subject to current policy terms)
Additional Insurance Recommendations
While the mandatory insurance covers basic emergencies, travelers with specific needs should consider supplementary coverage:
– Pre-existing medical conditions (not covered by mandatory policy)
– Adventure sports and outdoor activities
– Trip cancellation and interruption
– Lost luggage and personal belongings
– Higher coverage limits for extended stays
Application Information Required
Beyond documents, the Saudi Arabia eVisa application requires specific information that applicants should prepare in advance.
Personal Information
– Full name exactly as it appears on your passport
– Date of birth and place of birth
– Gender
– Current nationality and any other nationalities
– Marital status
– Current residential address
– Occupation and employer name
Travel Information
– Intended arrival date in Saudi Arabia
– Planned accommodation address (hotel name and city)
– Purpose of visit (tourism, family visit, Umrah)
– Duration of intended stay
– Previous visits to Saudi Arabia (if any)
Contact Details
– Active email address (eVisa is delivered via email)
– Mobile phone number with country code
– Emergency contact name and phone number
The email address is particularly important as the approved eVisa PDF is sent directly to this inbox. Use a reliable email provider and check your spam folder if the eVisa does not arrive within the expected timeframe.
Additional Documents for Specific Situations
Minors (Under 18)
Children and teenagers under 18 applying for the Saudi Arabia eVisa need:
– Their own valid passport
– Their own passport-style photograph
– A separate eVisa application (each minor gets their own visa)
– Must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who also holds a valid eVisa
– Birth certificate may be requested at the port of entry
Travelers with Dual Nationality
Applicants holding citizenship in multiple countries should:
– Apply using the passport from the eligible country
– Enter and exit Saudi Arabia using the same passport
– Be aware that the eVisa is electronically linked to a specific passport
Business Visitors
The Saudi eVisa is strictly for tourism purposes. Business travelers attending meetings, conferences, or negotiations should apply for a business visa through a Saudi embassy. However, attending cultural events, exhibitions, and entertainment as a tourist is permitted under the eVisa.
Common Reasons for eVisa Rejection
Understanding why applications get rejected helps applicants avoid common pitfalls:
– Passport validity less than six months from entry date
– Passport from a non-eligible country
– Blurry or non-compliant passport scan or photograph
– Mismatch between application details and passport information
– Previous visa violations or overstays in Saudi Arabia
– Incomplete application form
– Payment failure or declined credit card
If your application is rejected, you can reapply with corrected information. The visa fee from a rejected application is typically non-refundable, so careful preparation is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saudi eVisa Requirements
What passport validity is required for the Saudi eVisa?
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned entry date into Saudi Arabia. If your passport expires within six months, renew it before applying for the eVisa.
Do I need travel insurance for Saudi Arabia?
Basic medical insurance is automatically included in the Saudi eVisa fee (SAR 140). Additional travel insurance is recommended but not required for the visa application.
Can I apply for a Saudi eVisa without a hotel booking?
While you need to provide an intended accommodation address on the application, confirmed hotel bookings are not required at the time of application. You can list your intended hotel or accommodation.
What format should my passport scan be in?
Upload your passport scan in JPEG or PNG format. The scan should be clear, legible, and show the full passport bio page including your photo, name, passport number, and expiry date.
Is a return ticket required for the Saudi eVisa?
A return or onward ticket is not required during the eVisa application. However, immigration officials at the port of entry may ask for proof of onward travel, so having a return ticket is recommended.
Last updated: July 2026. The evisasaudiarabia.info editorial team verifies all requirements against official Saudi government sources.
Sources: visa.visitsaudi.com, Saudi Tourism Authority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saudi Arabia
