Saudi Arabia eVisa for US Travelers: Who Needs It, How to Apply & Umrah vs Hajj
Short answer: US travelers need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. For tourism, eligible US passport holders can apply for a tourist eVisa before travel or seek a visa on arrival. The official online application is at visa.visitsaudi.com. A tourist eVisa can cover Umrah outside the Hajj season, but it does not authorize Hajj. If you prefer to settle your visa application before departure, the online route gives you that opportunity. As of 23 September 2026, check the current Saudi rules before making travel plans.
Navigation: ← Saudi Arabia · eVisa vs visa on arrival · eVisa fee · processing time · Optional eVisa help
What is the Saudi tourist eVisa?
The tourist eVisa is an online visa option for eligible visitors, including US passport holders. It allows tourism activities such as leisure trips, events and family visits. It is a one-year, multiple-entry visa that permits up to 90 days in Saudi Arabia; those terms are different from permission to enter on any particular trip. Saudi authorities still decide whether to issue the visa and admit a traveler at the border.
That distinction matters if you are booking several visits: check the visa issued to you and the stay conditions that apply to your itinerary, rather than treating its one-year validity as permission to remain for a year.
Official apply channel
The Saudi government's tourist eVisa application is at visa.visitsaudi.com. You can apply there directly. my-evisas.com offers optional private help with an online tourist eVisa application; it is a separate service, and using it does not change who decides your application.
If you choose self-service, start at the official portal and review its current requirements and checkout before submitting. If you want help with the application, use the private assistance link with that distinction in mind.
Passport and stay rules
For US travelers, the passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the arrival date and have two blank pages for entry. Compare that validity window with your intended arrival before applying or buying tickets; a passport close to expiry can change what you need to do first.
Tourist visas are generally for a 90-day stay, and the U.S. Department of State says travelers cannot spend more than 180 days in Saudi Arabia within a 12-month period on a tourist visa. Permitted stay dates are calculated under the Hijri calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar. If you plan repeat visits or a stay close to the limit, check the dates and conditions on your issued visa against your travel plan.
Documents overview
Have the passport you will travel with available when preparing the online application, along with the personal information you will enter on the form. The official process begins by filling in the application, so the details you submit should match the passport you present for travel. If you renew or replace your passport after applying, check the applicable Saudi instructions before relying on the visa for that trip.
Review the current form on the official eVisa portal for the information it requests from you. That keeps your preparation tied to the application you will actually submit.
Umrah on a tourist eVisa vs Hajj
The Saudi tourist eVisa includes Umrah among permitted tourism activities, but excludes Hajj. The distinction is especially important around the Hajj season: the U.S. Department of State says travelers cannot visit Mecca or perform Umrah during that season on anything other than a Hajj visa.
If your trip is for Hajj, a tourist eVisa is not the right authorization. Hajj pilgrims need a Hajj permit and Hajj visa issued through Nusuk before arrival. Check the current Saudi pilgrimage rules for your travel dates before making arrangements, even if you already hold a tourist visa.
eVisa or visa on arrival?
For tourism, US travelers can apply for an eVisa before arriving or seek a visa on arrival. The practical difference is when you pursue the visa: the eVisa route lets you submit online in advance, while the arrival route leaves the application until you reach Saudi Arabia. Neither route removes the entry decision made by Saudi authorities.
If you want to resolve the visa application before departure, consider applying online. If you are weighing the arrival option, read the eVisa versus visa on arrival guide and confirm the current official conditions for your journey.
How to apply — overview
The official portal presents the online route in three broad stages: fill in the application, pay the visa fee and receive the online visa. Start at visa.visitsaudi.com, review the details you enter, and check the current payment information at checkout. Before paying, compare the passport you will travel with against your arrival date: if it has less than six months' validity beyond that date, completing the online stages will not make it meet the passport requirement. Saudi authorities still decide a submitted application after payment.
Allow time for that decision before travel. For questions about when to apply or how to check progress, see the processing time and status guide.
FAQ
How much is the Saudi eVisa? Check the amount shown in the official application checkout for your application. The eVisa fee guide explains what to consider when reviewing costs.
How my-evisas.com can help
You can apply directly through the official Saudi eVisa portal. If you would like assistance with an online tourist eVisa application, my-evisas.com offers optional private help. That help concerns the application; Saudi authorities decide whether to issue a visa and whether to admit a traveler. For Hajj, follow the separate official Hajj authorization route.
Sources
- Saudi eVisa Portal — eligibility, visa terms, permitted activities and online application overview (accessed 18 August 2026).
- U.S. Department of State, Saudi Arabia International Travel Information — entry, passport, stay and pilgrimage guidance (accessed 18 August 2026).
Important Notice
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. my-evisas.com is a private service provider and not a government authority, embassy, or consulate.
Visa requirements and entry regulations can change at short notice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. Only the official regulations in force at the time of your application are authoritative.
As of: 23 September 2026
Binding and up-to-date information is provided exclusively by the relevant official authorities. Please verify the currently applicable requirements before your application or travel: https://visa.visitsaudi.com/