Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
Many nationalities can visit Saudi Arabia with an online eVisa (Visit Saudi) or a visa on arrival, while others must apply in advance. There is also a separate route for Umrah pilgrimage. Requirements depend entirely on your nationality, so always confirm the latest rules with the official Saudi eVisa portal (visa.visitsaudi.com) and your nearest embassy before you travel.
- eVisa
- Online (Visit Saudi)
- On arrival
- For eligible nationalities
- Check
- Official portal / embassy
- Eligibility for eVisa or visa on arrival depends on your nationality
- A separate visa route exists for Umrah pilgrimage
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
Your passport should generally be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Saudi Arabia, with blank pages for stamps. Regarding Israeli entry or exit stamps, practice has changed in recent years, so do not assume a fixed rule and confirm the current position with official Saudi sources and your embassy before travelling.
- Validity
- 6 months recommended
- Pages
- Blank pages needed
- Stamps
- Confirm latest guidance
- Six months of passport validity is generally recommended
- Rules on Israeli stamps have changed; check the current position
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
On arrival you may be asked to show supporting documents in addition to your passport and visa. These can include confirmed accommodation (a hotel booking), a return or onward ticket, and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay. Visit Saudi visas usually require medical or travel insurance, so keep your insurance details handy.
- Ticket
- Return/onward
- Stay
- Hotel booking
- Insurance
- Often required
- Carry proof of accommodation and onward travel
- Visit Saudi visas commonly include or require travel insurance
Pre-arrival procedure — Saudi tourist e-Visa: for eligible nationalities; typically a 1-year, multiple-entry visa allowing up to 90 days per stay for tourism/family visits/Umrah (excluding Hajj). Fee (about SAR 300) usually includes mandatory medical insurance. Apply on the only official portal visa.visitsaudi.com; processing often 24-72h. Beware paid look-alike sites.
Official Saudi tourist visa (visa.visitsaudi.com)- Family name
- SMITH
- First / given name
- MICHAEL
- Nationality
- Your nationality (e.g. UNITED STATES)
- Passport No.
- A1234567
- Date of birth
- 1990-05-20
- Photo & passport bio page
- Upload a recent photo and the details page
- Date of arrival
- 2026-04-10
- Address in Saudi Arabia
- Hotel name & address (e.g. in Riyadh)
How to apply
- 1 Open the official portal visa.visitsaudi.com and create an account.
- 2 Fill the form: passport & personal details.
- 3 Upload your photo and passport bio page.
- 4 Review all entries and correct any errors.
- 5 Pay the fee (insurance usually included) by card and submit; note the reference.
- 6 Wait for the emailed approval and print/save it to show on arrival.
Eligibility, fees, insurance and conditions can change; confirm the current rules on the official portal before you travel.
Last updated: 2026-08-30
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
If you arrive in or leave Saudi Arabia carrying cash or equivalent negotiable instruments at or above the declaration threshold (around SAR 60,000 or its equivalent in other currencies), you must declare it to customs. This includes precious metals and similar assets. Failure to declare can lead to penalties or seizure, so complete a declaration when required.
- Threshold
- About SAR 60,000+
- When
- Entering/leaving Saudi Arabia
- Action
- Declare to customs
- Applies to cash and equivalent bearer instruments
- Non-declaration may result in penalties or seizure
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
You may bring personal belongings and gifts within reasonable limits, but Saudi Arabia bans alcohol and pork products entirely, so there is no duty-free allowance for them. Tobacco allowances are limited and duty may apply above set amounts. Commercial quantities require proper import procedures. Check current allowances with Saudi Customs (ZATCA) before you travel.
- Alcohol
- Banned (no allowance)
- Pork
- Prohibited
- Tobacco
- Limited allowance
- Alcohol and pork products have no duty-free allowance and are banned
- Commercial quantities need proper import procedures
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited and penalties are extremely severe. Alcohol, pork products and pornographic or obscene material are banned entirely. There are also restrictions on weapons and ammunition, and on products from protected species under CITES (such as ivory). Check Saudi Customs rules and obtain any required permits before you travel.
- Drugs
- Prohibited (severe)
- Alcohol/pork
- Banned
- Obscene material
- Prohibited
- Alcohol, pork and obscene material are strictly banned
- Weapons and CITES-protected species products are restricted
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Bring enough of your prescription medicines for your trip, ideally in their original packaging with the prescription or a doctor’s letter. Saudi Arabia controls certain medicines strictly, and some common ingredients may be restricted or need prior approval. Check the rules with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) before you travel.
- Prescription
- Carry a copy
- Controlled
- Doctor’s letter
- Check
- SFDA rules
- Keep medicines in original packaging with documentation
- Some ingredients may be restricted or need prior approval
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
For most tourists no special vaccinations are required, but proof of certain vaccinations can be required depending on your country of origin (for example yellow fever from risk areas). For Hajj and Umrah, specific requirements such as meningococcal vaccination often apply. Keep routine vaccines up to date and check with your doctor or a travel clinic before departure.
- Tourists
- Usually none special
- From risk areas
- Yellow fever proof
- Hajj/Umrah
- Meningococcal etc.
- Requirements may depend on your country of origin
- Hajj and Umrah pilgrims often need specific vaccinations
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
Most travellers arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (JED), King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (RUH) or other major airports. At passport control your fingerprints and photo may be taken. Have your passport, visa and supporting documents ready, and follow the signage for arrivals. Automated e-gates may be available for eligible travellers to speed up entry.
- Airports
- JED / RUH / others
- Biometrics
- Fingerprints/photo
- E-gates
- For eligible travellers
- Have passport, visa and documents ready at control
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) may be taken on arrival
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
In public places modest dress is expected, and visitors are asked to be considerate during Ramadan, when eating and drinking in public during daylight hours is generally avoided. The central holy areas of Mecca and Medina are open to Muslims only. Summers are very hot, so plan for the heat, carry water, and check the current situation with official sources before you travel.
- Dress
- Modest in public
- Ramadan
- Be considerate
- Mecca/Medina
- Muslims only (central)
- Central holy areas of Mecca and Medina are for Muslims only
- Summers are very hot; plan for heat and carry water