Saudi Arabia Visa 2026: Apply for an e-visa (costs & duration)

Saudi Arabia Visa 2025 — How to apply for the e-visa in 10 minutes

Saudi Arabia visaSaudi Arabia has transformed itself in recent years from one of the world's most closed-off countries into an up-and-coming travel destination. Since September 2019, tourists from 49 countries—including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland—have been able to apply for an e-visa online. No embassy appointment, no interview, no invitation. Just an online form and a credit card.

I was in Saudi Arabia in May 2025, invited by the Saudi Tourism Authority for a content production on the Red Sea and in Al Ula. Here is my complete guide to the Saudi Arabia visa — with step-by-step instructions, costs, pitfalls, and everything you need to know about entry requirements.

Saudi Arabia visa for Germans: Which visa do you need?

There are three options for tourist travel to Saudi Arabia:

1. E-Visa (Tourist eVisa) — The standard choice

The e-visa is a multiple-entry visa, valid for one year from the date of issue. You can enter the country as often as you like, with each stay lasting a maximum of 90 days. The total length of stay in a year is a maximum of 180 days. The e-visa also entitles you to visit the holy sites of Mecca and Medina (since 2024, access for non-Muslims has been restricted to certain areas).

Cost: 535 SAR (approx. 130 euros). This price includes the visa fee (480 SAR) plus health insurance (55 SAR), which is mandatory for entry. The insurance covers medical emergencies up to a certain amount — for serious Travel health insurance I still recommend a separate policy.

2. Visa on Arrival — For spontaneous travelers

Germans, Austrians, and Swiss citizens can also obtain a visa on arrival directly at the airport. The costs and conditions are identical to the e-visa (535 SAR). Advantage: No advance planning is necessary. Disadvantage: You have to wait in line at the immigration counter, which can take 20-60 minutes depending on the airport. At Jeddah Airport (JED), it took me 15 minutes, but I've heard of waiting times of up to an hour at Riyadh Airport.

3. Stopover Visa (96 hours) — Free with Saudi Airlines

If you fly with Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) and have a layover in Saudi Arabia, you automatically receive a free 96-hour visa. Perfect if you're connecting in Jeddah or Riyadh on your way to Asia and want to explore the city for a few days.

Applying for a Saudi Arabia visa: E-visa step-by-step

The application process is surprisingly simple. I applied for my visa in under 10 minutes and received it by email in 5 minutes.

Step 1: Go to the official website visa.visitsaudi.com. Warning: There are numerous fake websites that charge higher prices. Only visa.visitsaudi.com is the official government website.

Step 2: Choose your nationality and click Apply Now.

Step 3: Fill out the form. You will need: passport (valid for at least 6 months), a digital passport photo (can be taken with your smartphone), email address, and a credit card. The form asks for your accommodation address in Saudi Arabia—a hotel name is sufficient; you do not need to upload a booking confirmation.

Step 4: Pay by credit card (535 SAR / approx. 130 euros).

Step 5: You will receive your e-visa by email as a PDF. Print it out or save it to your smartphone. The QR code will be scanned at the airport.

Processing time: Usually immediate to 30 minutes. In rare cases, up to 24 hours. In my case, it was exactly 4 minutes.

Entry requirements and rules

Saudi Arabia has opened up massively since Vision 2030, but there are still rules you need to know:

Clothing: The dress code has relaxed considerably since 2019. Women are no longer required to wear an abaya. Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is recommended—especially in conservative areas like Riyadh. In tourist areas such as NEOM, Red Sea, and AlUla, shorts and T-shirts are perfectly acceptable. For men: Long trousers and T-shirts are acceptable everywhere. Swimwear is only permitted at the pool and beach.

Alcohol: Officially, alcohol is prohibited in Saudi Arabia. There are no bars, no clubs (in the Western sense), and no alcohol sales. Since 2024, there have been rumors of a relaxation of the rules for certain tourist resorts on the Red Sea, but as of May 2025, alcohol remains illegal. Do not bring alcohol into the country—it will be checked at customs.

Photograph: Photography is generally permitted, including of buildings and street scenes. You are not allowed to photograph: military installations, government buildings (inside), or people without permission (especially women). Drone photography: Permitted with authorization from the GACA (General Authority of Civil Aviation). I had authorization through the Saudi Tourism Authority as part of my collaboration. For private use, you need your own authorization—the process takes 2-4 weeks via the GACA website.

Ramadan: Special rules apply during Ramadan. Eating, drinking, and smoking in public are prohibited during the day (even for tourists, although this has been less strictly enforced since 2024). Hotel restaurants often have a separate area for non-fasting people. The atmosphere after sunset at Iftar (breaking the fast) is fantastic—huge buffets, festivity, and open invitations to strangers. Traveling during Ramadan is a unique cultural experience.

Saudi Arabia e-Visa Costs: What does the visa and entry cost?

Saudi Arabia is not a budget travel destination, but it is also not as expensive as the UAE.

Petrol is the biggest cost advantage: Saudi Arabia has some of the cheapest petrol prices in the world (around €0.55 per liter for premium). A road trip through the desert costs almost nothing in fuel.

The best travel destinations in Saudi Arabia

AlUla: The Nabataean ruins of Hegra (Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, comparable to Petra in Jordan), fascinating rock formations, and the luxury resort Habitas AlUla. AlUla was the highlight of my Saudi trip.

Red Sea Project: Brand-new luxury resorts on pristine islands. Crystal-clear water, untouched coral reefs, turtles. The Red Sea Project is Saudi Arabia's answer to the Maldives — only without the long flight.

Jeddah: The most cosmopolitan city in Saudi Arabia. The old city of Al-Balad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with traditional coral stone houses. The Jeddah Corniche at sunset is spectacular.

Riyadh: The capital city surprises visitors with its modern architecture (Kingdom Tower, Boulevard), the historic Dir'iyah district, and its vibrant food scene. The Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) on the city's outskirts is a cliff edge overlooking the endless desert.

FAQ — Saudi Arabia Visa and Entry

How long does it take to apply for an e-visa?

Usually within 30 minutes. Apply at least 48 hours before departure in case of delays. You can apply up to 12 months before your trip.

Do I, as a woman, need a male companion?

No, since 2019 women have been able to travel to Saudi Arabia independently, without a male escort (mahram). Women can also book a hotel room and rent a car on their own.

Can I travel from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain or the UAE?

Yes. The Saudi visa is a multiple-entry visa. You can leave and re-enter. The King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain is a popular day trip from Khobar/Dammam. For the UAE, you need a separate visa (free for Germans upon arrival).

Is Saudi Arabia safe for tourists?

Yes. Saudi Arabia has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Pickpocketing and violent crime against tourists are extremely rare. The biggest danger is road traffic—Saudi drivers are known for fast and aggressive driving.

What is the internet like in Saudi Arabia?

Fast and affordable. A local SIM card (STC, Mobily, or Zain) with 10 GB costs €10-15. Wi-Fi is available in all hotels. Note: VoIP calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime) were blocked for a long time but have been permitted since 2023.

About the author: Max Haase is Germany's most influential travel influencer with over 4.2 million followers. He specializes in drone footage and luxury travel. Cooperation requests here.

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