Saudi Arabia Visa for Indians 2026: Complete Guide

Do Indians Need a Visa for Saudi Arabia? (2026 Quick Answer)

Indian passport holders require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. There is no visa-free arrangement between India and Saudi Arabia, and the Indian passport does not receive automatic access.

For 2026, most Indian travelers will apply for a tourist eVisa in advance through an authorized online channel. A second route — visa on arrival — exists specifically for Indians who hold a valid, previously used US, UK, or Schengen visa and arrive on a Saudi national carrier. The direct Visit Saudi self-service portal, which offers instant authorization to citizens of 66 countries, does not cover Indian passport holders through that self-service channel.

One calendar consideration that every Indian applicant should account for: Saudi Arabia imposes a seasonal suspension on tourist, family visit, and Umrah visa processing for Indian nationals during the Hajj period each year, which typically spans from April through mid-June. The exact window shifts with the Islamic calendar. Applicants planning travel near that period should either submit well ahead of the suspension or plan travel outside it entirely. Always verify the current status on the official Saudi consular website or VFS Global India before submitting.

Saudi Arabia Visa Types for Indians

Tourist eVisa

The tourist eVisa is the standard route for Indian nationals visiting Saudi Arabia for leisure, sightseeing, family visits, or Umrah outside the Hajj season. Visa on arrival is available only for citizens of 60-plus eligible countries, which does not include India through the standard self-service route , so the eVisa applied in advance is the primary path for most Indian travelers. It is issued as a single entry allowing stays of up to 90 days.

Visa on Arrival

Indians holding a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa who arrive on a Saudi carrier like Saudia or Flynas can obtain a visa on arrival. The US, UK, and Schengen visas must have been used at least once — meaning the passport should carry an entry stamp — and the traveler can enter Saudi Arabia until the last date of the qualifying visa's expiry. The fee for this option is SAR 480 (approximately $128), which includes mandatory health insurance, and is paid at the airport counter.

Umrah via Tourist Visa

In a landmark reform announced in October 2025, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah decreed that all valid visa holders — whether tourist, work, family visit, transit, or other categories — are now eligible to perform Umrah. This means Indian travelers arriving on a standard tourist eVisa can now perform Umrah outside the Hajj season by registering through the Nusuk app, without needing a separate Umrah-specific visa. To perform Umrah, visitors must have a valid passport, a suitable visa, and confirmation of accommodation and transportation through the Nusuk Masar app.

Dedicated Umrah Visa

A dedicated Umrah visa continues to exist for travelers whose primary purpose is the pilgrimage and who apply through licensed Umrah travel agents. The Nusuk portal is the official platform for registration. Given the October 2025 reform, Indian nationals on a tourist visa now have the practical flexibility to perform Umrah on the same document, which reduces paperwork for many pilgrims.

Hajj Visa

The Hajj visa is quota-controlled and entirely separate from the tourist visa process. It is issued exclusively through the Haj Committee of India and cannot be arranged through commercial channels. For Hajj 2025, India's quota rose to 175,025, with extra slots added after negotiations between Indian and Saudi authorities. For 2026 planning, quotas and timelines will be announced through official government channels.

Transit Visa

Travelers passing through a Saudi airport who need to exit the airside transit area require a transit visa. Airside transits — remaining within the international departure zone — do not typically require one. Check with your carrier and the Saudi consulate if your itinerary involves an extended layover.

Saudi Arabia Visa Cost and Fees for Indians (2026)

The Saudi tourist visa fee structure has multiple components, and understanding each helps applicants budget accurately.

The government fee passed through to Indian applicants — including the mandatory health insurance premium — is approximately $103 (around SAR 385, or roughly ₹8,700). Saudi Arabia requires all tourist visa holders to carry health insurance, and rather than purchasing it separately, the premium is bundled into the visa fee itself.

When you apply through the official Visit Saudi portal, the total fee is SAR 535, which covers the government visa fee, mandatory medical insurance, and the online platform processing charge. At current exchange rates, SAR 535 is approximately $142. When applying via visa on arrival, the fee is approximately SAR 480 (around $128), which also includes the mandatory health insurance premium.

Applicants using Visarun's Saudi Arabia eVisa service pay a total of $149. This covers the government fee of $103 and a Visarun service fee of $46, which includes document review, form completion, and application tracking. No additional insurance purchase is required — the $103 government fee already incorporates it.

A summary of the fee options:

• Government fee including mandatory insurance — approximately $103 (SAR 385, roughly ₹8,700)
• Applying through Visarun — $149 total ($103 government fee plus $46 service fee)
• Official Visit Saudi portal — SAR 535 (~$142), all-inclusive
• Visa on arrival for US/UK/Schengen holders — SAR 480 (~$128), paid at the airport

Children under 6 years of age are generally exempt from the visa fee. Fee schedules are set by Saudi authorities and may be updated without prior notice. Always confirm the current amount on the official Saudi consulate website or VFS Global India page before completing payment.

Required Documents Checklist

The documents listed below apply to Indian nationals applying for a Saudi tourist eVisa. Having all items ready before starting the online form reduces back-and-forth and helps keep processing on track.

• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended date of entry, with at least two blank pages
• Recent digital passport-format photograph — white background, full face visible, no glasses, file size and dimensions as specified on the application portal
• Confirmed return or onward flight tickets showing entry and exit dates
• Hotel bookings or confirmed accommodation proof for the entire duration of stay
• Bank statements from the last 3 months showing consistent and sufficient funds to cover the trip
• Proof of employment, business ownership, or student status — salary slips, employer letter, business registration, or college enrollment certificate
• Travel health insurance — included within the visa fee when applying through official channels; no separate policy needed at the application stage
• For visa on arrival applicants: the valid US, UK, or Schengen visa with at least one entry stamp, carried in the same passport

Processing authorities may request additional supporting documents at their discretion. Items like a No Objection Certificate from an employer or a detailed travel itinerary are not always mandatory but can reduce the likelihood of additional queries. For unmarried women traveling solo, some applicants also carry a parental or family consent letter, though requirements vary.

How to Apply for a Saudi Arabia Visa from India (Step-by-Step)

Applying through Visarun

Visarun offers a fully automated eVisa flow for Saudi Arabia, designed so that applicants upload documents and Visarun handles form completion, formatting, and submission.

• Visit visarun.ai and select Saudi Arabia as the destination country
• Choose the tourist eVisa option for Indian passport holders
• Upload your passport scan, photograph, flight itinerary, and accommodation proof
• Complete payment — $149 total covers the government fee and service fee
• Visarun reviews documents, fills the application, and submits on your behalf
• Receive the eVisa by email and verify all details match your passport before travel

Applying directly through the official Saudi portal

From mid-September 2025, Indian nationals can apply online for tourist, business, Umrah, and family visit visas via the official Saudi e-visa portal. The direct application process typically works as follows:

• Create an account on the Saudi consular affairs or e-visa portal
• Complete the application form with personal details, passport information, and travel plans
• Upload supporting documents — photograph, passport bio-page, itinerary, accommodation
• Pay the fee by card (SAR 535 via the Visit Saudi portal, or as quoted on the consular portal)
• Await confirmation by email — standard non-peak processing is 5 to 7 business days
• Print or save the eVisa and present it on arrival at the Saudi border

Visa on Arrival route

No advance application is required for Indians qualifying for visa on arrival. On the day of travel, present your Indian passport and the valid, stamped US, UK, or Schengen visa at the designated visa on arrival counter at the Saudi airport. Payment of SAR 480 is made at the counter. Confirm before travel that your qualifying visa has been used at least once and that you are booked on a Saudi national carrier — these are non-negotiable conditions.

Saudi Arabia Visa Processing Time

Processing timelines vary by application route and by time of year.

Through Visarun, applicants should allow 15 to 30 business days for the complete process, from document upload to eVisa delivery. This window accounts for document review, submission, and any correspondence that may arise during processing.

Direct applications through the official Saudi online portal are typically processed within 5 to 7 business days during standard periods. During high-demand windows — October through December, Ramadan, and the period immediately after the Hajj suspension lifts — processing can extend to two weeks or more.

A few practical guidelines:

• Submit at least 3 to 4 weeks before your intended departure date to allow time for any document corrections
• Avoid applying within the Hajj suspension window (typically April to mid-June) unless you are certain processing is open — verify this on the official Saudi consulate or VFS Global India website
• If a document is queried or an additional item is requested, respond promptly to avoid the application going into a queue reset
• Visa on arrival requires no advance processing — but all qualifying conditions must be confirmed before flying

Approval decisions rest with Saudi consular authorities. Neither Visarun nor any third-party service can guarantee an outcome or timeline; the figures above reflect typical experience.

Visa Validity and Length of Stay

Effective February 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia suspended one-year multiple-entry visas for Indian nationals, along with nationals of 13 other countries. Each visa is now valid for a single entry, with a maximum permitted stay of up to 90 days.

This means that once an Indian national exits Saudi Arabia, the visa is no longer valid and a fresh application — with a new government fee — is required for any subsequent visit. Travelers planning more than one trip to Saudi Arabia within a year should factor this cost and processing lead time into their itinerary planning.

Saudi authorities cited concerns over the misuse of multiple-entry visas, with reports of travelers staying illegally for work or performing Hajj without authorization. The policy change affected visitors from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

For holders of a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa arriving on a Saudi carrier, the visa on arrival similarly grants a single-entry stay of up to 90 days. The qualifying visa must still be within its own validity period at the time of travel.

Overstaying beyond the permitted duration results in financial penalties and immigration consequences. Overstaying results in fines of SAR 100 or more per day, detention, and potential deportation with a re-entry ban. Departure before the permitted stay expires is the only way to avoid these outcomes.

Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them

Saudi Arabia visa applications from Indian nationals follow a predictable pattern when it comes to the most frequent reasons for non-approval. Addressing these proactively reduces the risk of delay or rejection.

Applying during the Hajj suspension period

Tourist and Umrah visa applications submitted during the annual Hajj suspension (typically April to mid-June) are either paused automatically or refused. From April to mid-June 2025, tourist, Umrah, and family visit visas were suspended for Indian nationals during the Hajj season, a restriction that has since been lifted. For 2026, the Hajj period will again trigger a suspension window. Submitting before the window opens or planning travel outside this period is the practical solution.

Incomplete or inconsistent documents

Mismatches between the name on the passport and the name on the flight ticket, discrepancies in travel dates, or mismatched hotel booking and flight itineraries are among the most common administrative reasons for rejection. Every document should be cross-checked for consistency before submission.

Insufficient financial evidence

Bank statements showing a low average balance, recent large unexplained withdrawals, or no regular income patterns can raise flags. Statements from the last three months accompanied by salary slips or a business income document typically provide a more complete financial picture.

Passport validity too short

Applications submitted with a passport carrying fewer than six months of remaining validity at the intended date of entry are routinely rejected at the document review stage. Renewing the passport before applying eliminates this entirely.

Non-compliant photograph

Saudi Arabia has specific requirements for the visa photo: white background, no glasses, full face visible, no head covering (unless for religious reasons), and no shadows. Photographs taken in photo studios familiar with Saudi visa specifications tend to meet the requirements more consistently than selfies or scanned copies of old photos.

Prior immigration violations

Saudi Arabia maintains strict records of travelers who have overstayed their visas or committed immigration violations. If a traveler previously overstayed, worked without authorization, or failed to comply with Saudi travel regulations, the application may be flagged. Applicants with any prior violation history should seek guidance before reapplying.

No confirmed accommodation

Applications listing a hotel stay without a confirmed booking or showing only informal accommodation (staying with friends or relatives, for instance) without supporting documentation tend to receive additional scrutiny. Pre-booking a refundable hotel for the stated duration of stay is a straightforward way to meet this requirement while retaining flexibility.

Recent Changes (2025-2026 Updates)

Multi-entry visa suspension — February 2025

Effective February 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia suspended one-year multiple-entry visas for Indian nationals, along with citizens of 13 other countries. Prior to this change, Indian visitors could obtain a multi-entry visa valid for one year with stays of up to 90 days per visit. The change to single-entry affects both tourism and family visit purposes. The suspension has no stated end date and remains in effect as of 2026 planning.

Temporary full visa suspension during Hajj 2025 — April to June 2025

With the successful conclusion of Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia lifted its short-term visa suspension for 14 countries including India. This included the resumption of Umrah, family, and business visas. The suspension had been in place from early April, and its conclusion marked a return to normal processing. The same pattern — suspension during Hajj season — is expected to apply in 2026.

Online visa applications opened for Indians — September 2025

From mid-September 2025, Indian nationals gained the ability to apply online for tourist, business, Umrah, and family visit visas via the official Saudi e-visa portal, with faster processing and mandatory insurance included. This was a meaningful upgrade from the previous process, which relied primarily on embassy walk-ins or agent submissions. The online route reduces paperwork and allows applicants to track their application status directly.

Umrah open to all visa holders — October 2025

In October 2025, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah decreed that all valid visa holders are now eligible to perform Umrah. This move is part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy to modernize the pilgrimage process and expand religious tourism. Indian travelers on a standard tourist visa can now fulfill Umrah on the same authorization, making the tourist eVisa a practical dual-purpose document for spiritual and leisure visitors alike.

GCC unified Gulf visa — under development

A "GCC unified visa" is a Schengen-style tourist visa allowing travel to multiple Gulf countries — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar — with a single visa. Its status was confirmed at the Manama Forum in November 2025, though the implementation timeline remains pending. Indian travelers planning multi-country Gulf itineraries in 2026 should monitor official announcements, as this could significantly simplify future regional travel planning.

FAQ

Do Indians need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia in 2026?

Yes. Indian passport holders require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. The two routes available are an eVisa applied in advance through an authorized portal or service, and a visa on arrival for Indians holding a valid, stamped US, UK, or Schengen visa arriving on a Saudi national carrier. There is no visa-free access for Indian nationals.

How much does a Saudi Arabia tourist visa cost for Indians?

The government fee including mandatory health insurance is approximately $103 (around SAR 385, roughly ₹8,700). Applying through Visarun costs $149 total, covering the $103 government fee and a service fee of $46. Via the official Visit Saudi portal, the all-inclusive fee is SAR 535 (~$142). Visa on arrival for eligible travelers costs SAR 480 (~$128) paid at the airport. All fee figures are subject to revision by Saudi authorities — check the official consulate or VFS Global India page before applying.

Can Indians apply for a Saudi eVisa online?

Yes. From mid-September 2025, Indian nationals can apply directly for a tourist eVisa through the official Saudi online consular portal. Authorized services like Visarun also offer a guided end-to-end application process for those who prefer assistance with document preparation and submission. The automated self-service portal at visa.visitsaudi.com, designed for travelers from 66 eligible countries, does not currently include Indian passport holders in its self-service route.

Can Indians get a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, under specific conditions. An Indian passport holder must carry a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa that has been used at least once (shown by an entry stamp in the passport), and must be traveling on a Saudi national carrier such as Saudia or Flynas. The visa on arrival fee of SAR 480 (~$128) is paid at the airport counter and includes mandatory health insurance.

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

Indian nationals may stay up to 90 days per entry. Since February 2025, only single-entry tourist visas are being issued for Indian nationals, so the visa expires once you depart Saudi Arabia. A fresh application and government fee are needed for each subsequent trip.

Can Indians perform Umrah on a tourist visa?

Yes. Since October 2025, all valid Saudi visa holders — including tourist visa holders — are eligible to perform Umrah outside the Hajj season. Registration through the Nusuk app is required to arrange accommodation and transport. Note that during the Hajj period (typically April through mid-June), tourist visa processing for Indians is suspended, so planning ahead is important for Umrah travel.

Is the multi-entry Saudi visa available for Indians in 2026?

No. As of writing, the one-year multiple-entry tourist visa for Indian nationals remains suspended following the February 1, 2025 policy change. Only single-entry visas are currently issued. Each trip to Saudi Arabia requires a new application. Travelers should monitor official Saudi consulate updates in case this policy changes during 2026.

How long does Saudi Arabia visa processing take for Indians?

Through Visarun, the processing window is 15 to 30 business days. Direct applications through the official Saudi online portal are typically processed within 5 to 7 business days in normal periods, though this can extend during peak travel seasons or in the period immediately following the Hajj suspension. Applicants should submit at least 3 to 4 weeks before travel. Approval decisions rest with Saudi consular authorities.

Are there visa restrictions during the Hajj season?

Yes. Each year, Saudi Arabia suspends tourist, Umrah, and family visit visa processing for Indian nationals during the Hajj period, which typically runs from April through mid-June. The exact dates change each year with the Islamic calendar. The suspension was in effect from April to mid-June 2025 and a similar window is expected in 2026. Check the Saudi consulate website or VFS Global India for confirmed dates before submitting an application.

What are the consequences of overstaying a Saudi tourist visa?

Overstaying a Saudi tourist visa carries serious penalties. Fines start at SAR 100 or more per day of overstay and can accumulate quickly. Beyond fines, overstaying can lead to detention, deportation, and a re-entry ban of up to 10 years. Travelers should plan their departure date carefully and depart before the permitted stay period expires.