Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa for Indians 2026: Visit Visa Routes, Fees and How to Apply

Can Indians Get a Saudi Tourist Visa? (2026 Quick Answer)

Yes, Indian passport holders can visit Saudi Arabia as tourists, but the route available depends on whether you hold a qualifying third-country visa. As of the current published list on visa.visitsaudi.com, India is not among the 66 nationalities eligible for Saudi Arabia's standard online eVisa. Three practical pathways remain open: an instant eVisa for Indians who hold a valid US, UK or Schengen visa or permanent residency in the USA, EU or UK; visa on arrival for those same visa holders when they fly a Saudi carrier; and the embassy or consulate sticker visa applied through VFS Tasheer centres in India. Since July 2026 a fourth option has been reported for Indians with no third-country visa: the Ministry of Tourism Package Visa, an electronic tourist visa issued within about 48 hours when flights and a licensed four-star hotel are booked as one package, according to Gulf News reporting in July 2026.

The official Visit Saudi help center divides applicant nationalities into Group A, who can use the eVisa or visa-on-arrival route, and Group B, who must apply through the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate. India falls in Group B — though Group B holders of a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa can access visa on arrival.

A seasonal factor also applies. According to travel-guide reports (unofficial) — restrictions are seasonal and tied to Hajj timing — India is among 14 nationalities that may face temporary restrictions on visit, Umrah, and business visas during Hajj preparation season. Confirm current status closer to your travel dates if you plan to travel in the months leading up to Hajj.

The Routes That Work for an Indian Passport - eVisa, Visa on Arrival, Embassy Visit Visa

The Online eVisa Route

The Saudi eVisa portal allows visitors from 66 eligible countries to apply online. As of the current published list on visa.visitsaudi.com, India is not on this list as a standalone eligible nationality. However, Indian passport holders who carry a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa — or who are permanent residents of the USA, EU, or UK — can access an instant eVisa through the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal. The Saudi Tourism Authority confirmed this extension in June 2023, covering holders of valid UK, US, and Schengen visas and permanent residents of the UK, US, and any EU country.

Where visa service centres are not available in an applicant's country, the official KSA Visa platform confirms that visitors can apply through the KSA Visa platform and then proceed directly to the Saudi embassy in their country of residence.

Visa on Arrival

Indians holding a valid, previously used US, UK, or Schengen visa can receive a visa on arrival at major Saudi international airports including King Khalid in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz in Jeddah, and King Fahd in Dammam. According to godigit.com (August 2026) — consistent with carrier-based rules reported elsewhere — this facility is available specifically when arriving on a Saudi national carrier. The carriers covered are Saudia, Flynas, and Flyadeal. Permanent residents of the USA, UK or EU are exempt from the Saudi-carrier requirement, according to Saudia.

Per an undated Gulf News report on the scheme's reinstatement — confirm current status as of 2026 — the visa on arrival grants a 12-month tourist visa without requiring an advance application, provided the traveller flies one of these Saudi carriers. The qualifying visa must be of a tourist or business type and must carry an entry stamp showing it was used at least once before this trip.

Embassy Visit Visa via VFS Tasheer

Indians who do not hold a qualifying third-country visa apply for a sticker visa through the Saudi embassy or consulate in India, typically submitting documents through VFS Tasheer. This route involves biometric enrolment, document submission, and an in-person appointment at a Tasheer centre. The step-by-step process is covered below.

Who Qualifies for the Saudi eVisa on an Indian Passport

The eVisa or visa-on-arrival route is open to Indian nationals only under specific conditions. The official KSA Visa platform confirms eligibility extends to:

• Holders of a valid Schengen, USA, or UK visit visa (tourist or business type) that carries at least one entry stamp from the issuing country
• Permanent residents of the USA, EU, or UK

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Underage applicants require a guardian to apply on their behalf and travel with them. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of application.

The qualifying visa must show that the applicant has physically visited the issuing country. According to y-axis.com (March 2024) — confirm current requirements, as VOA rules have changed over time — an Indian passport holder must have already visited the visa-issuing country before travelling to Saudi Arabia on a Saudi national carrier to be eligible for visa on arrival.

Indians who are permanent residents of the UK, USA, or an EU country can apply for the eVisa regardless of the carrier they fly on, as permanent residency itself serves as the qualifying criterion. According to a visa-service provider — consistent with the broader pattern reported elsewhere that India is excluded from the 66-country eVisa list — the direct online eVisa portal is not open to Indian passport holders who do not hold a qualifying third-country visa or residency.

Embassy Visit Visa via VFS Tasheer - Step by Step

Indians who do not hold a qualifying third-country visa apply through the Saudi embassy using VFS Tasheer as the authorised collection and biometric service provider. According to an aggregator's VFS Tasheer walkthrough — verify the current process on VFS or embassy sites before proceeding — the steps typically run as follows:

• Visit the Tasheer website and select 'India – English', then choose 'Schedule an Appointment'. Confirm current site navigation on Tasheer's own portal before visiting the centre.
• Select your nationality and visa category, such as 'Tourism'. The system generates the earliest available appointment slot and nearest branch location.
• Prepare your document file in advance (see the Documents Checklist section below).
• Attend your appointment at the Tasheer centre. According to an aggregator's account of VFS Tasheer procedures — in-centre rules may vary by branch — bags must be surrendered at the door, only a transparent folder or pouch is allowed inside, and mobile phones must be switched off while waiting to be called to a counter.
• Submit biometric data including fingerprints, facial image, and passport details at the counter.
• Pay the visa fee and any applicable health insurance premium at the centre.
• Collect the sticker visa from the centre once processing is complete; check the Tasheer portal for the status-tracking options available at your branch.

According to an aggregator description of Tasheer services, the centre provides visa application submission, biometric registration, visa fee payment, and medical insurance premium payment for Saudi-bound travellers.

Since 30 June 2025, according to Fragomen, Saudi Arabia has been issuing single-entry visit visas valid for up to 90 days to Indian nationals, with multiple-entry visas granted only on a discretionary basis. The exact list of active VFS Tasheer centres in India is not confirmed in an official Tasheer or MOFA source reviewed here. Check the current Tasheer portal directly for an updated centre list before booking.

Fees, Validity and Length of Stay

Per Saudia's tourist-visa page, which also details separate visa-on-arrival conditions, the Saudi eVisa is a one-year, multiple-entry visa allowing tourists to stay up to 90 days per visit. In addition, the total time allowed in the Kingdom per year is capped by the visa conditions shown on the platform; confirm before planning repeat trips.

Fee figures available from third-party sources vary by route:

• eVisa government fee — the SAR 300 figure reported by Fragomen in September 2022 applied to the eVisa issued on GCC residency, not to the general tourist eVisa; for the general eVisa the fee is shown at checkout on the official platform
• Visa on arrival government fee — SAR 463, as of September 2022 according to Fragomen; fees may have since changed
• Mandatory health insurance — the coverage ceiling is SAR 100,000, corroborated by a Gulf News report; the exact premium in SAR is not confirmed on an official Saudi government page as of September 2026

An official INR-equivalent fee schedule for the embassy sticker visa processed via VFS Tasheer has not been published on any embassy or Tasheer official page reviewed here. Check the Tasheer India portal or the Saudi embassy in New Delhi for current rupee-denominated fees.

Per CHI's tourist policy page, health insurance is mandatory as part of issuing a tourism visit visa, and the policy is activated once the visa is issued. According to visa service providers, the insurer is assigned automatically during the application process.

Overstaying is treated as a serious offence: according to the Saudi Press Agency, fines reach SAR 15,000 for a first offence, SAR 25,000 for a second and SAR 50,000 for a third, with possible detention of up to six months and deportation; older reports of a flat daily charge should not be relied on. Refunds are not given if a visa application is rejected, regardless of the route used.

Documents Checklist for Indian Tourists

Per a commercial visa-service provider's checklist — confirm specific document requirements with the official portal before applying — applicants typically need to prepare:

• Passport valid for at least six months from the date of application
• A recent digital passport-size photograph
• Confirmed return flight tickets
• Hotel bookings or proof of accommodation covering the full stay
• Travel health insurance valid for Saudi Arabia
• Bank statements and proof of employment or business (optional for the eVisa route but standard for embassy applications)

As reported in 2019 — confirm current document requirements with the embassy or VFS, as these may have changed — the embassy route additionally required proof of employment and a bank statement alongside accommodation and return ticket evidence.

For applicants using the visa-on-arrival route, carrying printouts of bookings, return tickets, and insurance documentation at the point of entry is advisable, as immigration officers may ask to see these on arrival.

Processing Times and Common Delays

Processing times differ across routes. For qualifying Indians using the eVisa route, the Saudi Tourism Authority described these as instant eVisas at the time of its June 2023 announcement. According to godigit.com (August 2026), eVisas are typically processed within a few days. These are two different routes rather than two estimates of the same one: the instant eVisa is issued online to Indians who hold a qualifying US, UK, or Schengen visa or residency, while the multi-day timeline describes the embassy sticker visa handled through VFS Tasheer.

For the embassy sticker visa submitted through VFS Tasheer, no official processing timeline is published in the sources reviewed here. Processing can extend depending on application volume, document completeness, and the consulate's workload. Applying well ahead of the intended travel date is advisable, particularly during the months approaching Hajj season.

Common causes of delay or rejection include:

• Incomplete documentation, such as accommodation proof not matching the stated travel dates
• Passport validity falling short of the six-month requirement at the time of application
• The qualifying third-country visa not carrying an entry stamp, which is required for the visa-on-arrival route
• Applying during Hajj preparation season, when according to aggregator reports (seasonal and unofficially confirmed), temporary restrictions may apply to Indian nationals

Umrah, Family Visit and Transit - Which Visa Do You Actually Need

Umrah

The official KSA Visa platform confirms that performing Umrah is permitted under the visit visa. However, the Hajj pilgrimage is not permitted on a tourist visa. According to a 2026 travel blog — the Nusuk booking requirement is not confirmed in official sources reviewed — Umrah slots and Rawdah visits can be booked through the Nusuk app, and the tourist visa allows Umrah at any time of year except during the Hajj season itself. Attempting Hajj on a tourist visa carries heavy consequences including fines, according to the same travel blog (unconfirmed officially). A dedicated Hajj visa obtained through an authorised operator is required for Hajj.

The mandatory health insurance bundled into the visa provides coverage of at least SAR 100,000 for medical costs; check the exact policy terms shown at checkout.

Family Visit

Indians with family members residing in Saudi Arabia typically apply for a family visit visa rather than a tourist visa. The process follows the embassy or VFS Tasheer route, and the Saudi resident sponsor — the family member in the Kingdom — typically issues the invitation on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa platform (visa.mofa.gov.sa), signing in with their Absher or Nafath credentials. Document requirements for this category may include the sponsor's Iqama details. Confirm current sponsor-side requirements with the Saudi embassy in India, as these are not detailed in an official source reviewed here.

Transit

Reports suggest that Saudi Arabia offers a stopover or transit visa allowing a maximum stay of 96 hours — confirm the 96-hour stopover limit with an official Saudi visa source before making any plans around it. Whether Indian passport holders qualify for transit without a separate visa, and which airports participate, is not confirmed in an official source reviewed here. Passengers transiting through Saudi airports should confirm their specific requirements with their airline or the Saudi embassy before travel.

Recent Changes (2025-2026 Updates)

Several developments since 2023 are relevant for Indian travellers planning ahead for 2026.

The eVisa eligible-country list has expanded progressively. Per an undated Gulf News report — the eligible-country count has since been expanded to 66 per current official visitsaudi.com data — Saudi Arabia added Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, South Africa, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan at one stage. India remains outside the 66-country eVisa list as of the current published data on visa.visitsaudi.com.

Since 30 June 2025, according to Fragomen, Saudi Arabia has been issuing single-entry visit visas valid for up to 90 days to Indian nationals, with multiple-entry visas granted only on a discretionary basis. This reflects the ongoing pattern of Hajj-related visa management. According to travel-guide reports (unofficial), 14 nationalities — including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Egypt — face temporary restrictions on visit, Umrah, and business visas during Hajj preparation season, introduced to reduce unauthorised Hajj activity. These restrictions are seasonal: confirm current status closer to your travel date.

The visa-on-arrival scheme for US, UK, and Schengen visa holders — including qualifying Indians — was reinstated per a Gulf News report. Per that report on the scheme's reinstatement — confirm current status as of 2026 — the visa on arrival grants a 12-month tourist visa without an advance application, provided the traveller flies Saudia, Flynas, or Flyadeal.

Health insurance remains mandatory for all Saudi tourist visa types per CHI's tourist policy page, with a coverage ceiling of SAR 100,000 corroborated across multiple independent reports. Fees and eligibility conditions have shifted multiple times in recent years, so checking the official Visit Saudi portal, the KSA Visa platform, and the Saudi embassy or VFS Tasheer before applying is the most reliable approach for 2026 travel planning.

FAQ

Can Indian passport holders get a Saudi tourist visa in 2026?

Yes. Indian nationals can visit Saudi Arabia as tourists either through the visa-on-arrival route — if they hold a valid, previously used US, UK, or Schengen visa and fly on a Saudi carrier — or by applying for a sticker tourist visa through the Saudi embassy or VFS Tasheer. As of the current published list on visa.visitsaudi.com, India is not among the 66 countries eligible for the standard online eVisa without a qualifying third-country visa.

Do I need a US, UK, or Schengen visa to visit Saudi Arabia from India?

Not necessarily. Indians without a qualifying third-country visa can still apply for a sticker tourist visa through VFS Tasheer or the Saudi embassy in India. A US, UK, or Schengen visa — or permanent residency in the USA, EU or UK — is what unlocks the two fast routes: the instant online eVisa and the visa on arrival at a Saudi airport. For the visa on arrival the visa must also carry an entry stamp from the issuing country showing it has been used at least once. Without one of these, the routes are the embassy sticker visa through VFS Tasheer or, since July 2026, the Ministry of Tourism Package Visa bought together with flights and a four-star hotel.

Which airlines qualify Indians for Saudi visa on arrival?

According to godigit.com (August 2026) — consistent with carrier-based rules reported elsewhere — visa on arrival for Indians is available specifically when arriving on a Saudi national carrier. The relevant carriers are Saudia, Flynas, and Flyadeal. Flying on a non-Saudi carrier does not qualify for this facility.

How long can I stay in Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa?

Per Saudia's tourist-visa page, which also details separate visa-on-arrival conditions, the eVisa is a one-year, multiple-entry visa allowing stays of up to 90 days per visit. In addition, the total time allowed in the Kingdom per year is capped by the visa conditions shown on the platform; confirm before planning repeat trips. Indians who receive a sticker visa through the embassy route may be issued a single-entry visa valid for up to 90 days, a pattern in place since 30 June 2025 according to Fragomen.

Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa?

Yes. The official KSA Visa platform confirms that Umrah is permitted under the visit visa. However, Hajj is not. Attempting Hajj on a tourist visa carries heavy consequences including fines, according to a 2026 travel blog (unconfirmed officially). A dedicated Hajj visa must be obtained through an authorised Hajj operator for the pilgrimage itself.

What documents do I need for a Saudi tourist visa from India?

Per a commercial visa-service provider's checklist — confirm specific requirements with the official portal — the core documents are a passport valid for at least six months, a recent passport-size photograph, confirmed return flight tickets, proof of accommodation for the full stay, and travel health insurance. Embassy applications typically also require bank statements and proof of employment or business. As reported in 2019 — confirm current requirements with VFS or the embassy, as these may have changed — additional supporting financial and employment documents were standard at that time.

How much does a Saudi tourist visa cost for Indians?

An official INR fee schedule for the embassy sticker visa has not been published on an official Tasheer or embassy page in the sources reviewed here. For the eVisa route available to qualifying Indians, the SAR 300 figure reported by Fragomen in September 2022 applied to the eVisa issued on GCC residency rather than the general tourist eVisa, so for the general eVisa the fee is shown at checkout on the official platform. The same Fragomen report put the visa on arrival at SAR 463 — fees may have since changed. A mandatory health insurance premium is also charged, covering up to SAR 100,000 in medical expenses. Check the Tasheer India portal or the Saudi embassy in New Delhi for current fees before applying.

Are there restrictions for Indians applying during Hajj season?

According to travel-guide reports (unofficial) — restrictions are seasonal and tied to Hajj timing — India is among 14 nationalities that may face temporary restrictions on visit, Umrah, and business visas during Hajj preparation season. A corroborating 2026 global-mobility guide describes these restrictions as commonly applying to Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Egyptian nationals during that period. Confirm current status closer to your travel date, particularly for travel between roughly April and July.

How long does it take to process a Saudi tourist visa for Indians?

For qualifying Indians using the eVisa route, the Saudi Tourism Authority described these as instant eVisas in its June 2023 announcement, and according to godigit.com (August 2026), eVisas are typically processed within a few days. Those are two separate routes: the instant eVisa goes to Indians holding a qualifying US, UK, or Schengen visa or residency, while the multi-day wait applies to the embassy sticker visa. For the embassy sticker visa submitted through VFS Tasheer, no official processing timeline is published in the sources reviewed here. Applying well in advance of your travel date — and outside Hajj preparation season — reduces the risk of delays.

What is the penalty for overstaying a Saudi tourist visa?

Overstaying is treated as a serious offence: according to the Saudi Press Agency, fines reach SAR 15,000 for a first offence, SAR 25,000 for a second and SAR 50,000 for a third, with possible detention of up to six months and deportation; older reports of a flat daily charge should not be relied on. Plan your return journey to fall comfortably within your permitted stay period, and note that refunds on visa fees are not issued even if an application is rejected.