Saudi Arabia Visa for US Citizens 2026: Tourist eVisa, Visa on Arrival, Umrah Rules and Costs

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

Yes, but for tourists it is a short online step. Visit Saudi, the official Saudi tourism portal, puts US passports in its "eligible" group, so Americans can get a tourist eVisa online or a visa on arrival. The eVisa is valid for one year with multiple entries and covers tourism, events, family visits and Umrah, but not Hajj or study.

As of 27 October 2026, Visit Saudi lists the price at SAR 395 (about USD 105.32), with the application fee and medical insurance included. There is no visa-free entry for US citizens, and the Electronic Travel Authorization on Visit Saudi is for UK citizens only.

Security situation as of 27 October 2026

On 23 October 2026 the State Department updated its Saudi Arabia advisory, keeping it at Level 3, "Reconsider travel", with Level 4 for the Yemen border region. The same day it ordered non-emergency US government employees and their family members to leave the country.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was attacked on 10 October and operations were suspended, with the suspension extended on 12 October. A US Embassy alert of 27 October says the airport partially reopened as of 23 October for domestic and some international flights, while Jeddah and Dammam were operating with delays and cancellations.

The same alert says filming or sharing missile and drone interceptions and their impact sites can bring legal liability. US citizens have been detained over photos of airports, government buildings and impact sites. We recommend checking the latest advisory and embassy alerts shortly before travel and enrolling in STEP, the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

Tourist eVisa - Eligibility, Validity and Length of Stay

The eVisa is the standard choice for American tourists. The Ministry of Tourism issues it through the official eVisa portal, which lists the United States among 68 eligible countries. It is not a work visa.

The person filling in the form has to be 18 or older, and parents or guardians apply on behalf of children. Under the Tourist Visa Regulation, visitors under 18 travel with a guardian or a safe companion.

Validity and entries

• Multiple entry: valid for one year from issue, with no single stay longer than 90 consecutive days
• Single entry: valid for three months from issue. Official sources differ on the stay, so check the length printed on the visa

How the 90 days work

Visit Saudi says one stay on the multiple-entry visa can last up to 90 consecutive days. Article 3 of the Tourist Visa Regulation caps the stay at 3 months "during its validity period", which reads as a total for the whole visa year. The safe plan is 90 days in total across the year. The visa cannot be extended.

Overstaying is costly. In April 2026 the Ministry of Interior said expatriates who overstay face a fine of up to SAR 50,000, up to six months in prison and deportation. The State Department adds that unpaid overstay fees can lead to an exit ban.

Visa on Arrival for Americans

US citizens can also get a visa on arrival, with no advance application. After landing, you apply at a self-service kiosk or at the passport control office. Visit Saudi lists the same price as the eVisa, SAR 395 (about USD 105.32) as of 27 October 2026, with the application fee and medical insurance included. Validity rules are the same too.

Visit Saudi refers to airports and entry points but does not say which land crossings offer it. Given the October airport disruptions, we suggest getting the eVisa before you fly, so there is one less thing to handle at the border. That is our advice, not an official rule.

Cost - Visa Fee and Mandatory Insurance

As of 27 October 2026, Visit Saudi lists both the tourist eVisa and the visa on arrival at SAR 395, about USD 105.32 by its own conversion. The price includes the application fee and medical insurance.

The Tourist Visa Regulation requires medical insurance approved in the Kingdom. The eVisa comes with a health policy that covers COVID-19 treatment and stays valid for one year, matching the visa. Its limits and exclusions are not published on the eVisa portal, so we recommend comparing it with your own travel insurance needs.

• Fees are non-refundable, including after a refusal
• A submitted application cannot be cancelled
• The Ministry of Tourism can change the fee, and the price shown at payment applies
• Visit Saudi does not say whether VAT is inside the SAR 395 figure, so check the total at checkout

Visarun's service fee is separate from the official fee, which is charged by the official portal.

How to Apply Step by Step

• Create an account on the official eVisa portal of the Ministry of Tourism.
• Fill in the form, including an address inside the Kingdom.
• Upload a photo that meets the specifications below.
• Pay the fee online.
• If approved, receive the eVisa as an email attachment.
• Carry a copy on your first arrival and enter on the same passport you applied with. Biometrics are captured at immigration.

Photo requirements

• One photo, 200 x 200 pixels, 5 to 100 KB
• White background, face filling 70 to 80% of the frame
• Taken within the last six months
• Head wear generally not allowed, with exceptions mainly for religious reasons

Processing time and approval

The portal publishes no processing time, so we recommend applying well before your flight. Approval is at the discretion of the Ministry of Tourism and other authorities. Paying the fee does not guarantee approval, and holding an eVisa does not guarantee entry.

Where Visarun fits in

Visarun is a private visa agency, not part of the Saudi government and not an official channel. We help prepare and check your application and photo and submit it on the official portal. The Saudi authorities make the decision, and no agency can guarantee approval.

Umrah, Events and the Stopover Visa

Umrah

Muslim US citizens can perform Umrah on the tourist eVisa or the visa on arrival by booking an Umrah permit on Nusuk. Makkah is reserved for Muslim visitors. Madinah is open to all tourists, but non-Muslims may not enter the Prophet's Mosque or its premises. Hajj needs a separate Hajj visa through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Umrah on a tourist visa is not possible in the Hajj season. In 2026 the Ministry of Interior paused Umrah permits for other visa holders from 18 April to 31 May, and from 18 April only Hajj visa holders could enter Makkah. As of 27 October 2026, the 2027 pause dates are not announced. By the official Umm al-Qura calendar, 1 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1448 falls on 8 April 2027, so the pause is expected from around early April 2027, but Hijri dates depend on moon sighting, so check the Ministry of Interior announcement.

Since 20 July 2026 the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also offers a separate multiple-entry Umrah visa. It is valid for 365 days with up to 90 days in total, needs a Nusuk package and permit for each visit, and is not active from 1 Dhu al-Qi'dah to 13 Dhu al-Hijjah.

Events

Events are covered by the tourist eVisa. The AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 opens on 7 January 2027 at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh, according to the AFC.

Stopover visa

Visit Saudi and Nusuk list these terms as of 27 October 2026:

• Visa: free when you fly Saudia or flynas
• Application fee: roughly SAR 39.50 (US$10.50)
• Insurance: from roughly SAR 13 (US$3.45)
• Single entry, used within three months of issue, with a stay of up to 96 hours after landing
• Umrah via Nusuk and events are allowed, Hajj is not

With Saudia, the visa is created automatically and emailed after booking and approval. Saudia has offered a free hotel night with it, but Nusuk says this depends on the carrier, so check when booking. On a single through-booking that does not pass immigration, no transit visa is needed.

Entry Rules, Dress, Alcohol and Other Practical Checks

Passport validity

Visit Saudi says US citizens may enter on any valid passport, regardless of the time remaining, but the eVisa portal's terms say an application will not succeed without 6 months of validity from the date of entry, and the Tourist Visa Regulation also sets 6 months. We recommend renewing first if you have less than 6 months left.

Conduct

• Alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia.
• Visitors are expected to dress modestly in public and avoid clothing with offensive images or phrases. The Public Decorum Charter sets fines of up to SAR 5,000, doubled for a repeat within a year.
• Public beaches expect modest clothing. Private beaches, pools, spas and cruises set their own rules.
• Unmarried couples can share accommodation.
• Tourists may not fly drones.

Photos, social media and exit bans

The State Department warns that breaking local law, even by mistake, can mean deportation, fines, prison or an exit ban. Some US citizens have been arrested over past social media posts, including ones made outside Saudi Arabia. We recommend not photographing or sharing images of airports, government buildings or impact sites.

As of 27 October 2026 the advisory stands at Level 3, with Level 4 for the Yemen border region. It is worth checking it, along with your flight status, close to departure.

Recent Changes (2025-2026)

• 12 April 2026: Hajj 1447 arrangements paused Umrah permits for other visa holders from 18 April to 31 May 2026.
• 27 April 2026: the Ministry of Interior confirmed overstay penalties of up to SAR 50,000, six months in prison and deportation.
• 1 July 2026: an Electronic Travel Authorization took effect for British passports, according to a Gulf News report citing the Saudi foreign ministry. US citizens remain on the eVisa.
• 20 July 2026: the multiple-entry Umrah visa launched.
• 10 to 12 October 2026: Riyadh airport was attacked on 10 October and operations were suspended, with an extension announced on 12 October.
• 23 October 2026: advisory update, still at Level 3, and ordered departure of non-emergency US government staff. Riyadh airport partially reopened as of the same date, according to a US Embassy alert.

The official sources we checked give no date for when the SAR 395 price took effect, so confirm the amount at checkout.

FAQ

Can US citizens enter Saudi Arabia without a visa?

No. Americans need a tourist eVisa or a visa on arrival. The Electronic Travel Authorization listed by Visit Saudi is for UK citizens only.

How much is the Saudi visa for Americans in 2026?

SAR 395, about USD 105.32, as listed by Visit Saudi on 27 October 2026. The price includes the application fee and medical insurance and is not refundable.

How long can I stay on the Saudi eVisa?

The multiple-entry eVisa lasts one year. No single stay can exceed 90 consecutive days, and the regulation caps the total at 3 months, so plan on 90 days in total. Extensions are not available.

Does my passport need six months of validity?

Visit Saudi says US citizens may enter on any valid passport, but the eVisa terms ask for 6 months. We recommend renewing if less than 6 months remain.

Can I perform Umrah on a tourist eVisa?

Yes, if you are Muslim and book an Umrah permit on Nusuk, outside the Hajj season. Hajj requires a separate Hajj visa.

Is the Saudi stopover visa free?

The visa itself is free with Saudia or flynas. Visit Saudi lists an application fee of roughly SAR 39.50 and insurance from roughly SAR 13, for a stay of up to 96 hours.

What is the current US travel advisory for Saudi Arabia?

As of 27 October 2026, Level 3, "Reconsider travel", after the 23 October update, with Level 4 for the Yemen border region. We recommend checking it shortly before travel.

What happens if my eVisa is refused?

The fee is not refunded. The Saudi foreign ministry's visa platform says a rejected applicant can reapply at any time.

Can Visarun guarantee my Saudi visa?

No. Visarun is a private agency that helps prepare, check and submit your application. The Saudi authorities make the decision.