Saudi Arabia Visa for India Citizens 2026 - Requirements, Fees & Processing

Overview

Planning a trip to Saudi Arabia as an Indian citizen? This guide covers everything you need for your Saudi tourist visa application: required documents, fees starting from SAR 300 (approximately ₹6,800), processing times of 5-10 working days, and strategies to improve your chances. With proper documentation through authorized travel agencies, approval rates are high for well-prepared applications.

Visa Application process

Indian citizens have two pathways to obtain a Saudi tourist visa, depending on whether they hold a valid visa from certain countries.1 Option 1: Direct E-Visa (If You Have US/UK/Schengen Visa) If you hold a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa, you can apply directly through the official Saudi e-visa portal:1

Visit visa.visitsaudi.com and create an account

Select your nationality and provide passport details

Upload required documents (passport scan, photo)

Pay the visa fee (SAR 300) online

Receive your e-visa via email within 24-48 hours

Option 2: Through Authorized Travel Agency (Standard Route) Most Indian applicants without US/UK/Schengen visas must apply through Saudi embassy-authorized travel agencies:3

Contact an authorized travel agency in India

Submit your passport, photographs, and supporting documents

The agency submits your application to the Saudi embassy

Pay the visa fee plus agency service charges

Collect your visa once approved (5-10 working days)

Option 3: Visa-on-Arrival If you hold a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa and fly on Saudia or Flynas, you can obtain a visa upon arrival at Saudi airports.2

Visa Fees breakdown

Visa Type: Fee	E-Visa (with US/UK/Schengen visa): SAR 300 (~₹6,800)	Agency-Processed Visa: SAR 500-800 (~₹11,000-18,000)	Visa-on-Arrival: SAR 480 (~₹11,400)	Fees are subject to change.1 Agency fees vary depending on the service provider and package selected.

What you need to prove

Saudi visa officers assess applications based on:

Genuine tourist intent: Clear travel plans with confirmed bookings for accommodation and flights
Financial capacity: Sufficient funds to cover your stay without working
Return intent: Confirmed return ticket showing departure before visa expires
Valid documentation: All documents meeting Saudi specifications and matching your passport details

Required documents

Valid Passport
Passport-Size Photograph
Travel Insurance
Confirmed Flight Tickets
Hotel Reservation
Bank Statement
Visa Application Form

Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia • At least one blank page for visa stamp; • Must not be damaged or altered; • Clear, legible personal information page] (Tip: Scan both front cover and bio-data page in colorRenew your passport if it expires within 6 months of travelPassports showing travel to Israel may result in denial)

Passport-Size Photograph

Recent digital photograph meeting Saudi specifications • Size: 200 x 200 pixels for online applications; • File size: 5-100 KB; • White background, no patterns or shadows; • Face must cover 70-80% of the frame; • Taken within the last 6 months] (Tip: Use a professional photo studio familiar with Saudi visa requirementsHeadwear only permitted for religious reasons, face must be fully visibleNo glasses unless for medical reasons)

Travel Insurance

Health insurance coverage for your stay in Saudi Arabia • E-visa fee includes basic health insurance coverage; • For agency applications, separate travel insurance may be required; • Coverage must be valid for entire duration of stay] (Tip: Check if your agency includes insurance in the packageConsider additional coverage for adventure activities)

Confirmed Flight Tickets

Round-trip flight booking showing entry and exit from Saudi Arabia • Must show passenger name matching passport; • Clear departure and return dates; • Flight booking confirmation with PNR number] (Tip: Flying on Saudia or Flynas enables visa-on-arrival option if you have US/UK/Schengen visaBook refundable tickets until visa is confirmed)

Hotel Reservation

Confirmed accommodation booking for your stay • Must show guest name matching passport; • Check-in and check-out dates; • Hotel name, address, and contact details; • Booking confirmation number] (Tip: If visiting relatives, provide invitation letter and their Iqama (residence permit)Book refundable accommodation until visa confirmation)

Bank Statement

Recent bank statement demonstrating sufficient funds • Last 3 months of transaction history; • Minimum balance of SAR 5,000 (approximately ₹1,15,000) recommended; • Must show account holder name clearly; • Should reflect regular income or salary credits] (Tip: Avoid large unexplained deposits close to applicationShow consistent balance over timeInclude salary slips if employed)

Visa Application Form

Completed visa application through authorized channel • Apply through authorized travel agency for standard tourist visa; • For e-visa (if eligible), apply at visa.visitsaudi.com; • All information must match passport exactly] (Tip: Double-check spelling of name and passport numberUse a reputable agency authorized by Saudi embassy)

Optional documents

Valid US, UK, or Schengen Visa

If you hold a valid visa from US, UK, or Schengen countries, you can apply for e-visa directly • Visa must be valid and preferably used at least once; • Enables e-visa application online at visa.visitsaudi.com; • Enables visa-on-arrival when flying Saudia or Flynas] (Tip: This is the fastest route to a Saudi tourist visa for IndiansE-visa is valid for one year with multiple entries)

Comparison

Visa Type	Fee	Notes
E-Visa (with US/UK/Schengen visa)	SAR 300 (~₹6,800)	Includes basic health insurance
Agency-Processed Visa	SAR 500-800 (~₹11,000-18,000)	Includes agency service fees
Visa-on-Arrival	SAR 480 (~₹11,400)	Requires US/UK/Schengen visa + Saudia/Flynas flight

Common rejection reasons

%	Reason
35%	Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation
25%	Information Mismatches
20%	Insufficient Financial Evidence
12%	Previous Visa Violations
8%	Passport or Photo Issues

35% - Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation

How to avoid: Double-check all documents before submission. Ensure photos meet exact specifications (200x200 pixels, white background). Use an authorized agency to verify completeness.

25% - Information Mismatches

How to avoid: Copy information exactly as it appears in your passport. Review every field before submission. Have someone else verify your application for errors.

20% - Insufficient Financial Evidence

How to avoid: Maintain a stable balance of at least SAR 5,000 (₹1,15,000) for several months before applying. Show regular salary credits and avoid unexplained deposits.

12% - Previous Visa Violations

How to avoid: Always respect visa validity periods. If you have past violations, wait at least 2-3 years before reapplying and provide explanation if asked.

8% - Passport or Photo Issues

How to avoid: Renew your passport well before travel. Use a professional photo studio familiar with Saudi visa photo requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Can Indian citizens get a Saudi tourist visa?

Yes, Indian citizens can obtain a Saudi tourist visa. However, Indians are not eligible for the direct e-visa (which is available to 66 countries). Indians must apply through authorized travel agencies or, if they hold a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa, can apply for an e-visa or get visa-on-arrival.

How much does a Saudi tourist visa cost for Indians?

The base tourist visa fee is SAR 300 (approximately ₹6,800). Through authorized agencies, total costs range from SAR 500-800 (₹11,000-18,000) including service fees. Visa-on-arrival costs SAR 480 (approximately ₹11,400) for eligible applicants.

How long does Saudi visa processing take for Indian applicants?

Through authorized travel agencies, processing takes 5-10 working days. If you have a valid US/UK/Schengen visa and apply for e-visa, processing takes 24-48 hours. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel to allow for any delays.

Can I get visa-on-arrival in Saudi Arabia as an Indian citizen?

Yes, but only if you hold a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa (preferably used at least once) and are flying on Saudi carriers Saudia or Flynas. The visa-on-arrival costs SAR 480 and allows stays up to 90 days.

What is the maximum stay allowed on a Saudi tourist visa?

As of February 2026, Indian citizens receive single-entry tourist visas valid for 30 days with a maximum stay of 30 days. The previous multiple-entry option allowing up to 90 days has been suspended for Indian passport holders.

Do I need a sponsor for Saudi tourist visa?

No individual sponsor is required for tourist visas. However, Indians must apply through an authorized travel agency that acts as the facilitating entity. If visiting family, you may need an invitation letter and their Iqama details.

Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa?

Yes, the Saudi tourist visa allows you to perform Umrah (excluding Hajj). You must book your Umrah and Ziyarah appointments through the official Nusuk platform (nusuk.sa) before visiting holy sites in Mecca and Medina.

What happens if my Saudi visa is rejected?

Review the rejection reason carefully and address the issues before reapplying. Common fixes include improving document quality, providing better financial evidence, or correcting information errors. There is no formal appeal process, but you can reapply with improved documentation.

Is travel insurance required for Saudi tourist visa?

Yes, health insurance is required. The e-visa fee includes basic health insurance coverage. For agency applications, check if insurance is included or arrange separate travel insurance covering your entire stay.

Can I extend my Saudi tourist visa?

Tourist visa extensions are possible but must be arranged before your current visa expires. Contact your sponsoring agency or the Saudi authorities for extension procedures. Overstaying results in fines, detention, and potential entry bans.

Apply for Saudi Arabia tourist visa online

Sources

Saudi eVisa Official Portal

https://visa.visitsaudi.com/

Visit Saudi - Visa Regulations

https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/plan-your-trip/visa-regulations

Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs - India Embassy

https://embassies.mofa.gov.sa/sites/india/EN/Services/Visa-Instructions/Pages/default.aspx

UK Government Travel Advice - Saudi Arabia Entry Requirements

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia/entry-requirements

VFS Global - Saudi Arabia Visa Services India

https://services.vfsglobal.com/sau/en/ind/apply-visa

At a glance