EntryNest
🇸🇦
🇸🇦

Middle East

Saudi Arabia

Vision 2030 reform decade — premium residency, expanded work routes, and easier tourism than ever.

eVisa countries
66
Premium Residency (lifetime)
SAR 800,000
Premium Residency (annual)
SAR 100,000 / year
Iqama renewal
Annually (sponsored)

Overview

Saudi Arabia has transformed its mobility framework since 2019, launching tourist eVisas, the Premium Residency program ('Saudi Green Card'), and a wave of Vision 2030 work visa categories tied to NEOM, the Red Sea Project and Riyadh's diversification. Traditional sponsorship (kafala) remains for most workers, but reforms allow employees to change jobs without their sponsor's permission in many situations.

How the immigration system works

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development manages work permits and Iqamas (residence cards). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues entry visas via Enjazit. The Premium Residency Centre runs the various PR tiers. Most expats hold a 1-year renewable Iqama tied to an employer (sponsor), now with greater mobility rights since the 2021 labour reforms.

Best for

  • Skilled professionals in tech, healthcare, engineering and finance
  • Senior executives and entrepreneurs (Premium Residency)
  • Domestic workers under regulated programs
  • Umrah and Hajj pilgrims
  • Tourists from 60+ eligible eVisa countries

Jump to

Important

Rules change frequently. Always confirm current requirements on the official portal before applying.

Visa pathways

6 structured pathways into Saudi Arabia

tourist

Tourist eVisa

Easy

Online multiple-entry tourist visa valid 1 year, 90-day max stay per visit.

Who it's for: Nationals of 66 eligible countries including US, UK, EU, GCC, Japan, Korea, Australia, and most of Latin America.

Timeline
Minutes to 72 hours
Cost
SAR 535 (~USD 142)
Documents
3 items

Requirements

  • Eligible nationality
  • Passport valid 6+ months
  • Email and credit card for online payment

Process

  1. 1Apply at visa.visitsaudi.com
  2. 2Pay SAR 535 (~USD 142) including mandatory insurance
  3. 3Receive eVisa via email within minutes/hours

Documents

  • • Passport scan
  • • Photo
  • • Insurance (bundled)

Common mistakes

  • • Travelling close to passport expiry
  • • Confusing tourist eVisa with Umrah visa
Official source

work

Work Visa & Iqama

Medium

Employer-sponsored 2-year entry visa converted to a 1-year (renewable) Iqama residence card on arrival.

Who it's for: Workers with a confirmed job offer from a Saudi employer.

Timeline
1–3 months end-to-end
Cost
Sponsor pays most fees; Iqama renewal ~SAR 9,700/year (incl. dependant levy)
Documents
5 items

Requirements

  • Employer sponsorship and block visa allocation
  • Attested qualifications (apostille + MOFA legalisation)
  • Medical fitness certificate
  • Police clearance

Process

  1. 1Employer obtains visa authorisation via Qiwa
  2. 2Worker collects visa from Saudi consulate
  3. 3Enter KSA, complete biometrics and medical
  4. 4Receive Iqama and Muqeem ID

Documents

  • • Job offer
  • • Attested degree certificates
  • • Medical fitness report
  • • Police certificate
  • • Passport

Common mistakes

  • • Submitting non-attested degrees
  • • Underestimating dependant levy costs
Official source

pr

Premium Residency ('Saudi Green Card')

Medium

Sponsor-free residency in 5 tiers: Limited Duration, Unlimited, Special Talent, Investor, Entrepreneur.

Who it's for: Investors, talent and entrepreneurs meeting financial or merit thresholds.

Timeline
30–90 days typical
Cost
SAR 100,000 (annual) – SAR 800,000 (lifetime)
Documents
4 items

Requirements

  • Clean criminal record
  • Verified financial means
  • Tier-specific qualifications (e.g. PhD, investment proof)

Process

  1. 1Apply via Premium Residency Centre online portal
  2. 2Submit financial and qualification evidence
  3. 3Pay fee
  4. 4Receive residency without local sponsor

Documents

  • • Passport
  • • Financial statements
  • • Qualifications
  • • Police certificate

Common mistakes

  • • Choosing tier without legal review of tax implications
Official source

tourist

Umrah Visa

Easy

Year-round religious pilgrimage visa for Umrah to Mecca and Medina. Now also bookable directly via the tourist eVisa for many nationalities.

Who it's for: Muslims performing Umrah. Women aged 18+ may travel without a male mahram in organised groups since 2022.

Timeline
Hours to a few days (Nusuk / eVisa) or 1–3 weeks via agent
Cost
USD 100 – 5,000+ depending on package
Documents
4 items

Requirements

  • Valid passport (6+ months)
  • Meningococcal ACWY vaccination
  • Confirmed Umrah package or accommodation
  • Return ticket

Process

  1. 1Apply via Nusuk app / licensed agent / tourist eVisa
  2. 2Receive Umrah authorisation
  3. 3Perform Umrah within validity window

Documents

  • • Passport
  • • Meningitis vaccination certificate
  • • Accommodation / package booking
  • • Photo

Common mistakes

  • • Booking via unlicensed operators
  • • Missing meningitis vaccination certificate at arrival
Official source

tourist

Hajj Visa

Medium

Pilgrimage visa valid only during the Hajj season (Dhu al-Hijjah). Issued under national quotas administered through the Nusuk Hajj platform and licensed national operators.

Who it's for: Muslims performing Hajj for the first time (priority) under their country's annual Hajj quota.

Timeline
Booking opens months in advance; visa issued days to weeks before travel
Cost
USD 5,000 – 15,000+ for a full package
Documents
5 items

Requirements

  • Country-allocated Hajj quota slot via Nusuk Hajj or national mission
  • Meningococcal ACWY vaccination
  • Health fitness for the rites
  • Often first-time Hajj attestation

Process

  1. 1Register on Nusuk Hajj (eligible countries) or with national Hajj mission
  2. 2Pay package fee
  3. 3Receive visa
  4. 4Travel within the season

Documents

  • • Passport
  • • Meningitis vaccination certificate
  • • Hajj package confirmation
  • • Photo
  • • Medical fitness

Common mistakes

  • • Booking outside official Nusuk / national-mission channels
  • • Attempting Hajj on a tourist or Umrah visa

Risk factors

  • • Performing Hajj without a valid Hajj visa now carries fines and deportation
Official source

business

Business Visit Visa

Easy

Short-term visa for meetings, contract negotiations, conferences and exhibitions — issued via the Saudi eVisa platform or sponsored by a Saudi entity.

Who it's for: Foreign business travellers invited by a registered Saudi company or attending licensed events.

Timeline
1 – 3 weeks
Cost
USD 130 – 250
Documents
4 items

Requirements

  • Invitation from a Saudi business host
  • Company registration evidence
  • Return ticket and accommodation

Process

  1. 1Saudi host issues invitation via Enjazit
  2. 2Applicant applies at consulate or via authorised eVisa
  3. 3Receive visa

Documents

  • • Passport
  • • Invitation letter on company letterhead
  • • Saudi commercial registration of host
  • • Hotel + flight bookings

Common mistakes

  • • Using a tourist visa for paid commercial activity
  • • Invitation from a non-licensed Saudi entity
Official source

Eligibility checker

Check your eligibility for Saudi Arabia

Smart eligibility checker

Find your visa pathway in seconds

Indicative results based on official government programs — not legal advice.

Real-world examples

If this sounds like you…

Indian software engineer with 5 years' experience

Riyadh tech sector actively recruits with packages SAR 25,000–45,000/month. Standard work visa/Iqama route.

→ Work Visa → Iqama

Read full case study →

British tourist visiting Riyadh and AlUla

1-year multiple-entry tourist eVisa covers the trip with no special permissions required.

→ Tourist eVisa

Read full case study →

Investor placing SAR 7M in Saudi business

Eligible for Premium Residency Investor tier — sponsor-free residency, ability to own real estate (with restrictions), bring family.

→ Premium Residency — Investor

Read full case study →

Heymondo travel insurance
Recommended · Travel insurance

Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may help cover medical emergencies, trip interruptions, lost baggage, and other unexpected travel expenses while abroad.

  • Medical emergencies
  • Trip interruption
  • Lost baggage
Compare Travel Insurance Powered by Heymondo · Affiliate link
Open the full travel preparation hub — insurance, documents, eSIM, money & more →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a sponsor for tourism?

No. Tourist eVisas and the visa-on-arrival programs for GCC residents do not require a Saudi sponsor.

Can I work on a tourist visa?

No. Working in KSA without proper authorisation can lead to fines, deportation and re-entry bans.

What is the dependant levy?

Iqama holders pay a monthly fee per dependant (currently SAR 400/month per dependant), which is significant when budgeting family relocation.

Can women travel alone for Umrah?

Since 2022, women aged 18+ can perform Umrah without a male mahram if travelling in an organised group.

How do I get Saudi citizenship?

Citizenship is granted rarely and is highly discretionary, typically requiring 10+ years of residence, Arabic proficiency, and a qualifying occupation or major contribution.

Is the kafala system still in effect?

Partially. 2021 reforms allow most expat workers to change employer without sponsor consent in defined cases, and to exit/re-enter without sponsor permission.

Are unmarried couples allowed to share a hotel room?

Yes, since 2019 reforms — couples (married or not) and women travelling alone may rent hotel rooms.

Is alcohol available?

Alcohol remains prohibited for the general public, including tourists. Limited exceptions exist in diplomatic compounds.

Official sources

Government & embassy references

Related country hubs

Compare destinations

🇺🇸
United States
North America
🇬🇧
United Kingdom
Europe
🇪🇺
Schengen Area
Europe