Saudi Arabia eVisa for Umrah and Tourism: Rules, Timelines, and Tips for 2025
Saudi Arabia’s eVisa has transformed how pilgrims and leisure travelers enter the Kingdom—and 2025 brings a handful of policy tweaks that every applicant should know. Whether you are planning a winter beach escape in Jeddah or an Umrah pilgrimage after Ramadan, this guide breaks down the latest rules, timelines, and insider tips so you can apply with confidence.
The Saudi eVisa at a Glance (2025 Edition)
| Feature | 2024 Policy | 2025 Update |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible purposes | Tourism, attending events, Umrah outside Hajj season | Unchanged, plus 48-hour transit sightseeing visa automatically issued with qualifying Saudia & Flynas tickets |
| Validity | 1-year multiple entry | Unchanged |
| Max stay per visit | 90 days | Unchanged |
| Processing time | 5–30 minutes automated; up to 72 h manual | Peak-season surge handling upgraded—expect <24 h even during Ramadan |
| Fee (incl. insurance) | SAR 535 (~USD 143) | SAR 480 (~USD 128) thanks to new insurance consortium |
| Acceptable passports | 63 nationalities (incl. US, UK, EU, GCC) | Expanded to 72—notably Turkey, South Africa, and Thailand |
Source: Saudi Ministry of Tourism press release, 23 June 2025.
1. Tourist vs. Umrah eVisa—Is There Still a Difference?
Good news: since late 2022 the standard Saudi tourist eVisa automatically grants permission to perform an individual (non-group) Umrah at any time outside the peak Hajj week. That means:
- You no longer need to apply for a separate “Umrah visa” through an agent if you are visiting independently.
- Group pilgrimages organised by licensed Hajj & Umrah operators must still use the traditional visa channel.
Activities Allowed on a Tourist/Umrah eVisa
| Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|
| Individual Umrah (book permit in Nusuk app) | The Hajj pilgrimage (specific Dhu al-Hijjah dates) |
| Sightseeing & events (e.g., Riyadh Season) | Paid work or journalism assignments |
| Visiting relatives/friends | University study |
| Business conferences (≤90 days) | Sponsorship transfer or residency |
2. Eligibility & Document Checklist
Most requirements remain straightforward, but two details trip up many first-time applicants:
- Passport validity must be ≥6 months from your arrival date—not from application date.
- 3-D Secure–enabled credit or debit card is mandatory for the online payment gateway.
Essential documents:
- Clear color scan of the passport information page (JPEG or PDF ≤1 MB).
- Recent passport-style photograph (white background, 200 × 200 px minimum).
- Return/onward ticket details (airline PNR accepted).
- Valid email and mobile phone for OTP verification.
- Optional: proof of accommodation. Not required at checkout but immigration officers may ask.
Health notes for 2025:
- Meningococcal ACWY vaccination certificate is still required for Umrah pilgrims; upload during application and carry the paper record.
- COVID-19 vaccine proof is no longer mandatory, but the Tawakkalna health app may request it in the event of future outbreaks.
3. Application Timeline—When to Apply
Although 80 % of eVisas are issued within 30 minutes, SimpleVisa data show a 5× spike in secondary (manual) reviews during these three periods:
- Ramadan 2025 (28 Feb – 29 Mar)
- Saudi Grand Prix week (5 – 9 Apr)
- Winter at Tantora Festival (mid-Dec)
Our recommendation: apply 7 days before departure to avoid last-minute anxiety, especially if your biography triggers extra screening (dual citizenship, recent conflict-zone travel, etc.).
Typical eVisa Processing Flow
| Step | Duration | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Online submission & payment | 5–10 min | Form auto-checks passport & 3D Secure card |
| Automated security screening | <15 min | Name run against INTERPOL & GCC watchlists |
| Manual officer review (if flagged) | 6–72 h | Consular staff may request extra docs |
| Approval email with PDF eVisa | Instant after decision | Visa auto-linked to passport via barcode |
4. Key 2025 Rule Changes Every Traveler Must Know
- Transit Sightseeing Visa – Travelers booking qualifying Saudia or Flynas itineraries with a layover ≤48 h now receive a free single-entry eVisa during ticket checkout, allowing a short Umrah or city tour.
- Digital Arrival Kiosks – Five international airports (RUH, JED, MED, DMM, and AHB) deploy facial-biometric kiosks. Have your eVisa PDF ready, but most passengers clear in under 45 seconds.
- Insurance Pool Revamp – The bundled health-and-accident policy now covers up to SAR 375,000 medical costs (was 100k). Download the new English/Arabic policy PDF from your eVisa dashboard.
- Age Rule Harmonization – Minors (under 18) can apply individually if travelling with an immediate adult relative on the same PNR. Previously, only parents qualified.
5. Practical Tips for a Seamless Umrah or Leisure Trip
- Lock flights first. Your eVisa asks for an arrival date; pick the earliest date in your travel window. Multiple entries stay valid for a year.
- Book Umrah permits early in the Nusuk mobile app—slots during Ramadan can disappear weeks out.
- Print a hard copy of the visa. While systems are digital, immigration may stamp the print-out during random audits.
- Dress code: modest attire applies beyond holy sites. For pilgrims, pack two sets of Ihram clothing to navigate laundry backlogs.
- SIM & apps: buy an e-SIM before departure (Zain or STC) and preload Tawakkalna, Nusuk, and Careem ride-hailing for smooth mobility.
- Cash vs. card: Riyadh and Jeddah are almost cashless, but smaller eateries in Taif and Al-Ula still prefer cash—carry at least SAR 300.
6. Common Pitfalls—and How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | Prevention |
|---|---|
| Uploading a selfie instead of a passport-style photo | Use an online visa photo tool and follow the 4 × 6 cm guideline |
| Forgetting the ACWY vaccination proof when performing Umrah | Digitize the certificate and store a print copy in your passport |
| Booking arrival during Dhu al-Hijjah 7-13 hoping to perform Umrah | Umrah visas are suspended; schedule before 7 th or after 13 th |
| Ignoring 90-day total stay limit across multiple trips | Track days via the “Entry/Exit” tab inside the eVisa dashboard |
7. For Travel Businesses: Streamline Customer Compliance & Boost Revenue
Airlines, OTAs, and tour operators integrating visa guidance into the booking path have recorded up to 11 % ancillary uptake on Saudi routes (SimpleVisa partner data, Q1 2025). With SimpleVisa’s no-code widget or REST API, you can:
- Auto-detect when a passenger is eligible for a Saudi eVisa or transit visa.
- Prefill passport data from the PNR to cut form time in half.
- Earn commission on each approved application—without touching sensitive data.
Curious? See our technical walkthrough: “Future of Travel APIs: From Flights to Visas in a Single Call.”
Ready to Apply?
Whether you are heading to Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district or answering the spiritual call of Umrah, Saudi Arabia’s streamlined eVisa makes 2025 the easiest year yet to visit. Let SimpleVisa guide you through the process, eliminate paperwork headaches, and get your approval in minutes—not days.
Start your Saudi eVisa application now or embed our widget in your booking flow—visit simplevisa.com to get started.