Saudi Arabia Visa for UAE Residents – Tourist & Umrah Visa Guide (2025)

Thinking of visiting Saudi Arabia from the UAE? The Saudi Arabia visa process is now simpler for UAE citizens and expats. This pleasant tutorial will walk you through obtaining a Saudi visit visa (tourist eVisa) or Umrah visa. We cover everything from a 1-year multiple-entry visa to application criteria and FAQs so you may enjoy your Saudi adventure or spiritual journey.

Quick Navigation:

• Who Needs a Saudi Visa? (UAE Citizens vs Residents)
• Saudi Visa Options for Tourists & Umrah
• Requirements and Documents Needed
• How to Apply for Saudi eVisa (Step-by-Step)
• Visa Fees, Validity & Duration
• Final Thoughts
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who Needs Saudi Visa?

UAE nationals can visit Saudi Arabia for tourism or Umrah without a visa. UAE nationals can enter Saudi Arabia visa-free as a GCC member. Short-term travel with a passport or UAE national ID is possible. If you want to undertake Umrah, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and register in advance (use the Nusuk app to book slots).

Residents (Expats): UAE residents with foreign passports need Saudi visas to enter Saudi Arabia. UAE citizens of most nationalities can obtain the Saudi tourist eVisa, also known as the Saudi visit visa, which is the most convenient. This electronic visa lets you come for tourist and Umrah (outside Hajj season). UAE residents can apply for an Umrah visa through approved travel companies or the Saudi embassy if the eVisa is unavailable. No worries—we’ll explain all these options below!

Gulliver Travels offers the best services for travelers to Saudi Arabia, including visit visas, multiple-entry visas, and Umrah visas

Tourist and Umrah Visas for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia welcomes travelers with flexible visas. The main types of visas for UAE residents vary by situation:

Saudi 1-Year Multiple Entry Tourist eVisa

• Tourist eVisas are the easiest and most popular. You can apply for the Saudi visit visa online. Here are the features of this visa: It is a one-year multiple-entry visa. You can enter Saudi Arabia many times with this visa. Stays can last up to 90 days. This is great for frequent business trips, vacations, or Umrah visits.
• The tourist eVisa allows sightseeing, visiting family/friends, and attending activities, as well as Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) year-round save during Hajj season. Hajj requires a specific visa; see FAQs.
• Online and quick: No embassy trips or interviews. UAE residents can apply online through Saudi Arabia’s eVisa service. Rapid approval (24–48 hours) is common.
• Updated eligibility: All UAE expats can apply for the Saudi eVisa. Saudi Arabia opened eVisa eligibility to GCC residents in 2023 (with a valid UAE residency visa). The eVisa is available to most UAE residents (Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian, etc.). Simply enter your UAE residence information throughout the application. (Rare exclusions may apply; check for the latest details.)
• Visa on arrival: Saudi Arabia offers visas on arrival for certain passport holders. This includes US, UK, or Schengen tourist/business visas. It also applies to passports from over 60 countries. UAE residents should use the online eVisa. This helps avoid delays and confusion at the airport. It’s simple to order in advance.

2. Umrah Visa via Agencies or Platforms

• An Umrah-specific visa is available if you cannot utilise the tourist eVisa for Umrah. Umrah visa highlights:
• UAE citizens are visa-free, and most UAE expats use the tourist eVisa for Umrah. If your nationality or scenario isn’t supported by the eVisa or you prefer a guided package, you can apply for an Umrah visa through an authorised travel agency or Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk portal.
• Single entry, short validity: Umrah visas are usually single-entry pilgrimage visas. Between 30 and 90 days, you must undertake Umrah and leave the country. Beyond holy cities and neighbouring locations, it cannot be used for general tourists.
• Application through agents: UAE-licensed Umrah travel agents handle applications. Your documentation with Saudi officials will be handled by them. For people with non-Muslim names, confirmation of Islamic beliefs, marriage or birth certificates (for women travelling with a mahram), and confirmed hotel and flight bookings are frequently required. The next section covers document basics.
• Nusuk platform: Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk (formerly the “Eatmarna” system) allows pilgrims to apply for an Umrah visa online and acquire an electronic permission. Saudi Arabia wants to simplify religious tourism. Check the latest process because technology and rules are constantly changing to make Umrah easier.

3: Other Visas

UAE travellers mostly fall into these two categories. Some other visa kinds may be relevant:

• The primary pilgrimage (Hajj) in Saudi Arabia requires a visa from certified tour providers. You can’t go Hajj with a tourist or Umrah visa. Hajj must be done with UAE-authorized groups during the season.
• Work or Business Visas: If you want to work in KSA or do long-term business, you need a company-sponsored work or business visit visa. UAE residents attending brief business meetings typically use the tourist eVisa (it’s for conferences, meetings, etc. without formal job).
• Family Visit Visa: Saudi family can sponsor your family visit visa. UAE residents visiting friends or family informally can use the tourist eVisa, which is simpler.

Now that you know the visa kinds, let’s look at what you need to apply and how to apply.

Requirements and Documents Needed

Before applying for a Saudi visa, make sure you have these documents and meet the basic requirements:

• Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your planned entry date to Saudi Arabia. This rule applies to UAE residents and expats.
• UAE Residency Visa: If you are an expat in the UAE, your residency visa must be valid for at least three months. You need to show your Emirates ID or residency permit when you apply.
• Passport-Sized Photo: You will need a recent passport-style photo. The photo should show your face clearly against a light background. If you are applying for an eVisa, upload a digital photo. Saudi visa photos must be in color, with a white background. You cannot wear glasses, heavy headgear, or religious clothing, just like other visa photos.
• Personal Details: You should have your passport information ready, including your full name and date of birth, and for expats, your UAE address and possibly your occupation (the web form may ask for your work title or employer, though this is normally optional).
• Email and Phone: A valid email address (you’ll receive the eVisa PDF via email) and a mobile number for verification.
• Payment Method: Credit or debit card for visa fees online. The Saudi eVisa portal accepts international cards and charges in SAR. Make sure your card allows foreign internet transactions.
• Travel Plans: Travel dates and entry point are helpful during application, but not needed. The form may ask for your arrival date and airport. Prepare a tentative itinerary. If applying for Umrah visas, you must schedule flights and hotels in Saudi Arabia in advance.
• Additional documents for Umrah (if applicable): If applying for a dedicated Umrah visa through an agent, you may need proof of relationship (if a woman is travelling with a male relative, e.g., a marriage certificate for husband-wife or birth certificate for child-parent), a vaccination certificate (meningitis or COVID-19 as per the latest Saudi health requirements for pilgrims), and a NOC (No Objection Certificate) letter. Ask your agent about such requirements.

Tip: Check the spelling on your passport and your residency information. If there is a mistake or if your paperwork is expired, it can delay your visa. Apply early. eVisas can take up to a week. Agency-issued Umrah visas can take 5 to 7 working days.

Saudi eVisa Application Step-by-Step

The Saudi eVisa is easy to apply for online. Step-by-step instructions:

• Official Visa Portal: Visit Saudi Arabia’s unified eVisa platform, such as the Visit Saudi website or the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal. Create an account if needed. Set the site to English for convenience.
• Select “Tourism” Visa: Start a new application and select Visit (Tourism). The system requests nationality. Expatriates in the UAE need additionally select GCC residency. This will help the system determine your GCC resident eVisa eligibility.
• Complete the online application form with your passport-style personal details. Your entire name, birthdate, nationality, and passport number. Your UAE address and nearest Saudi Embassy (e.g. Abu Dhabi or Dubai) will be recorded, but you don’t have to visit.
• Travel Details: Enter your expected travel date and reason (tourist, leisure, visiting friends/family, Umrah). If the form asks “What do you plan to do during your stay?” Tourism or Umrah are choices. (Choosing Umrah does not restrict tourism; it’s only for info.) You may also be asked to choose your port of entry (Riyadh Airport, Jeddah Airport, Causeway, etc.) and mode of travel. Please fill them out as best you can; your plans may change.
• Upload Documents: The portal will ask you to upload a passport copy (a clear scan of the photo page) and a passport-size photo. If you’re applying as a GCC resident, you’ll additionally provide proof of your UAE residency (visa), usually a scan of your residence visa page or Emirates ID. Make sure the images/files fit the size and format criteria (JPEG/PNG for photos, PDF for documents).
• Choose Insurance and Pay Fees: Saudi Arabia requires travel medical insurance for travellers. The eVisa application automatically assigns an insurance policy from a list of providers (you can choose one). The visa fee is SAR 300, while insurance and processing fees total SAR 480 (AED 470, however it varies). Pay the fee securely online with a card. You should see payment confirmation.
• Your application will be processed for an eVisa. You may obtain your eVisa via email in minutes or hours after approval. However, it can take 1-2 business days (or more if more checks are needed). Emails will contain links to get your eVisa certificate (PDF). Your visa includes your portrait, number, validity, and entry information. Print a copy for travel and save a digital copy on your phone. Saudi immigration officers can check your visa in their system, but you should have documentation.

Finished! After getting the visa, you can travel. Respect the visa conditions (don’t stay longer than 90 days in one visit and can’t work). You can re-enter Saudi Arabia several times with the same eVisa during a year.

Visa Fees, Validity & Duration

The cost and validity of Saudi tourist/Umrah visas for UAE travellers are as follows:

• Tourism eVisa Fee: ~SAR 300 (Saudi Riyals) for the visa. With necessary insurance and taxes, it costs SAR 430–480. This charge is paid online during application. (SAR 480 equals AED 470 or USD 130). Health insurance is included in the visa price, therefore you don’t need travel insurance.
• You will pay the agency for the bundle of services, but the Umrah visa is usually free (the Saudi government doesn’t charge for religious visas). Hotel, transportation, and other factors determine Umrah package prices. Travel agents charge for visa processing, transportation, lodging, and sometimes group guidance. Avoid frauds by using authorised agents.
• Tourist eVisa for Saudi Arabia is valid for 365 days from issue date. You can enter Saudi Arabia many times with this visa. Each stay might last 90 days. Note that the 90-day clock resets each time you enter and exit (if the visa is valid). Staying 90 days requires leaving before or on the 90th day. Mark your calendar because overstaying can result in a 100 SAR or more fine per day. You cannot renew the visa, but you can leave and return. You can also apply for a new one after one year since it allows multiple entries.
• Validity Period (Umrah Visa): Umrah visas usually last 30 to 90 days. You can perform Umrah and leave from the date of issue or arrival, depending on the visa type. Using an Umrah visa for longer than allowed is usually not allowed. Check your visa sticker or the document from your agent for the validity dates.
• Saudi eVisa processing is quick, taking from immediate to 1-2 days. Apply at least a week before your trip to avoid technical issues. Agents can process Umrah visas in 5 to 7 days. Start the process a few weeks before your travel dates, especially during Ramadan or school holidays when visa processing and flight bookings are busier.

Finally, meet any travel restrictions, such as Saudi Arabia’s health requirements for Umrah pilgrims (meningitis, seasonal flu, or COVID-19 vaccinations). Currently, there are no quarantine or PCR requirements for normal travel, but stay updated via Saudi tourism or Ministry of Hajj releases.

Final Thoughts

The user-friendly Saudi eVisa system and strong links between the two countries make visiting Saudi Arabia easy for UAE residents and citizens. Getting the correct visa is the first step to visiting Saudi Arabia or doing Umrah. UAE natives can pack their bags and depart without a visa, and UAE expats can receive a multiple-entry, rapid online visa.

We hope this information gives you process confidence. Remember to prepare your paperwork and follow the instructions to get your visa in your inbox. After that, book your travel, organise your itinerary—praying in the holy towns, touring Riyadh’s modern cityscape, or diving in the Red Sea—and enjoy your trip. You’re ready to head to Saudi Arabia!

Travel safely (or Umrah Mabrook in advance if you’re pilgrimaging!) and share this guide with others planning a visit. Below are some frequent questions you may still have.

Why Choose Gulliver Holidays

• Gulliver Holidays provides top-notch travel services for UAE residents.
• We assist with tourist trips and Umrah journeys to Saudi Arabia.
• Our team ensures a smooth and hassle-free visa application process.
• Guidance is offered at every step, from choosing the right visa to completing documentation.
• Travel with Gulliver Holidays for a reliable, easy, and memorable experience.

Saudi Arabia Visa FAQs for UAE Travelers