Indian citizens visit Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa that comes in two forms. Indians who hold a valid, used US, UK or Schengen visa, or a residence permit from the US, UK, EU or a GCC state, qualify for the tourist eVisa or the visa on arrival: SAR 535 all-in (SAR 300 visa fee plus mandatory medical insurance and VAT), 1 year multiple entry, up to 90 days per visit, approved in minutes to 24 hours. Every other Indian traveller applies for the consular tourist visa through VFS Tasheer, decided in 3 to 5 working days. Both allow tourism, visiting family, events, business meetings and Umrah outside the Hajj season.
The short version with the price card and checklist is on the Saudi Arabia tourist visa route page. This article is the long version: who qualifies for which route, the fees and what the insurance covers, documents, the timeline, the rules on Umrah and the refusal reasons.
Do Indians need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The Saudi visa for Indians on a short trip is the tourist visa, introduced in September 2019 and expanded to Indian nationals holding Western or GCC visas and residence permits. There is no visa-free entry for Indian passport holders, but there are three ways in: the online eVisa, the visa on arrival at Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah airports for the same eligible group, and the consular tourist visa for everyone else. Passengers on Saudia or flynas tickets can also obtain a free 96-hour stopover visa, which is a convenient way to visit Riyadh or Jeddah between India and Europe or the US.
The tourist visa does not allow paid work, study or Hajj. Work needs the employment visa in the Saudi work visa and iqama guide, and relatives of residents may prefer the family visit visa in the Saudi family visit visa guide, which does not require a Western visa.
How much does a Saudi tourist visa cost for Indians?
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist eVisa (eligible Indians) | SAR 535 all-in | SAR 300 visa plus mandatory insurance and 15 per cent VAT; 1 year, multiple entry |
| Visa on arrival | SAR 535 all-in | Same terms; paid by card at the kiosk |
| Consular tourist visa | SAR 300 plus insurance | Through VFS Tasheer; service fee about INR 3,000 to 4,000 |
| Stopover visa (Saudia, flynas) | Free | 96 hours; booked with the ticket |
| Extension of a 90-day stay | SAR 100 | Via Absher before expiry |
| Overstay fine | SAR 100 a day | Plus possible entry ban |
The mandatory insurance covers COVID-19 and emergency medical treatment up to SAR 100,000 and is included in the SAR 535 figure. Vistolane charges the SAR 535 at the official rate and shows its service separately on the Saudi Arabia destination page.
Who qualifies for the eVisa and visa on arrival, and who uses the consular route?
| Route | Who qualifies | Where | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist eVisa | Indians with a valid, used US, UK or Schengen visa, or US, UK, EU or GCC residence | visa.visitsaudi.com | Minutes to 24 hours |
| Visa on arrival | Same group, any airline | Kiosks at RUH, JED, DMM, MED | 10 to 20 minutes |
| Consular tourist visa | All other Indian passport holders | MOFA platform plus VFS Tasheer biometrics | 3 to 5 working days |
| Stopover visa | Saudia or flynas passengers | With the booking | Instant |
The qualifying visa must have been used at least once to enter the issuing country and must be valid on the day of arrival; an unused US visa or an expired Schengen visa does not qualify. Children under 18 travelling with an eligible parent qualify through the parent. The consular route asks for hotel and flight bookings, 3 months of bank statements and the Indian employer's letter, and biometrics are taken at VFS Tasheer.
What documents does the Saudi tourist visa need?
eVisa and visa on arrival. A passport valid 6 months from arrival, a digital photo on a white background, the qualifying US, UK or Schengen visa or residence permit, a contact address or hotel in Saudi Arabia and a card to pay SAR 535.
Consular tourist visa. The MOFA application reference, passport, two photos, confirmed hotel and return flight bookings, travel insurance (bought on the platform), 3 months of bank statements, the employer's leave letter or business registration and, for women travelling alone, nothing additional since the 2019 reforms.
For all travellers. Proof of funds for the stay, a return ticket and, for Umrah, the ACWY meningitis vaccination certificate. The travel document checklist helps you assemble the file.
How does the application run?
- Check eligibility: a used US, UK or Schengen visa or a qualifying residence permit means the eVisa; otherwise prepare the consular file.
- eVisa: register on visa.visitsaudi.com, upload the passport and photo, declare the qualifying visa, buy the insurance and pay SAR 535; approval arrives by email, usually within minutes.
- Consular: register on the MOFA visa platform, book VFS Tasheer, attend for biometrics with the documents and fees; the visa is issued in 3 to 5 working days.
- Travel: present the eVisa printout or the passport sticker; the border officer registers the entry against the 90-day limit.
- Umrah: book the free Umrah and Rawdah permits on Nusuk for your dates outside the Hajj season.
How long does a Saudi tourist visa take?
| Stage | Typical time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa approval | Minutes to 24 hours | Apply up to 90 days before travel |
| Visa on arrival | 10 to 20 minutes | Pay at the kiosk; e-gates for registered travellers |
| Consular visa | 3 to 5 working days | After VFS Tasheer biometrics |
| Stay | Up to 90 days per visit | Extend once on Absher for SAR 100 |
| Validity | 1 year, multiple entry | From the issue date |
What are the rules during the stay?
Tourists may travel anywhere except the holy sites of Makkah and Madinah, which are open only to Muslims, and may perform Umrah outside the Hajj season with Nusuk permits. Paid work, study and Hajj are prohibited. Women may travel alone, drive on an Indian or international licence for up to a year and stay in hotels without a male guardian. Each stay is limited to 90 days and extendable once; the total stay in a year is not capped beyond the per-visit limit, but immigration officers refuse entry to travellers who appear to live in the Kingdom on tourist visas. Overstays are fined SAR 100 a day and can bring an entry ban.
Why are Saudi tourist visas refused, and what fixes each reason?
Qualifying visa not valid or unused. Expired Schengen visa or an unused US visa declared for the eVisa. Use a valid, used visa or apply through the consular route.
Passport validity short. Under 6 months at arrival. Renew the passport before applying.
Photo or data rejected. Background not white, name entered differently from the passport. Match the passport exactly and use a compliant photo.
Consular file weak. No bookings, thin statements or no employer letter. Add confirmed hotels, 3 months of statements and the leave letter.
Previous overstay or ban. Earlier violation on a work or visit visa. Check the ban status through the embassy before paying.
How Vistolane files it
Vistolane checks which route you qualify for, lodges the eVisa or books VFS Tasheer for the consular visa and charges the SAR 535 or SAR 300 fee at the official rate. Start with the free eligibility check or the Saudi Arabia tourist visa route page. Travellers touring the Gulf can read the UAE tourist visa guide and the visa on arrival for Indians guide.
