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Saudi Visa for Italian Citizens

What is a Saudi Visa?

A Saudi visa is a travel permit that enables individuals to enter the country for designated purposes and for a specific duration of time. The issued visa will specify the conditions that travelers have to abide by during their stay in Saudi Arabia, such as the kind of activities they can engage in and the length of their stay. Without a valid visa, it would not be possible to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia offers a variety of visas, such as visit visas, work visas, student visas, and visas for Hajj and Umrah. The validity of the visa will vary depending on its type. For example, a visit visa is typically valid for 30 or 90 days, whereas a permanent work visa may be valid for a year. As for the Hajj visa, it’s only available during the Hajj season.

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Do Italian Citizens Need a Saudi Visa?

Yes, Italians require a visa to visit Saudi Arabia. The type of visa you should apply for depends on the purpose of your visit. For example, if you’re planning on a short-term visit for tourism, to visit family or friends, or to perform Umrah, you can apply for the Saudi eVisa.

Saudi Visa Types for Italian Citizens

Explore this list of Saudi Arabia visas to determine which one you need to apply for:

Visit visa

With a visit visa, you can travel to Saudi Arabia for the following purposes:

Tourism

If you’re planning to go sightseeing, shopping, or exploring the desert landscapes, you can apply for a Saudi tourist visa.

Family

If you have family and friends in Saudi Arabia that you want to visit, apply for this visa.

Medical

Apply for a visit visa for medical purposes if you’re planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for medical advice or treatment.

Umrah

A Saudi Umrah visa from Italy will enable you to visit Mecca’s Masjid al-Haram if you want to perform a pilgrimage. Note that you can travel at any time of the year except during Hajj, as you will need a different visa for that.

Business

With a Saudi Arabia business visit visa, you can take part in client meetings and business conferences.

Stopover visa

If you have a layover of more than 12 hours in Saudi Arabia, you will require a Saudi Arabia transit visa. This visa will allow you to spend up to 96 hours in Saudi Arabia while you’re en route to your destination.

Work visa

If you are planning to work in Saudi Arabia, explore the various work visas you can apply for: 
  • Seasonal work visa: With this visa, you can work on a temporary basis during certain seasons or events in Saudi Arabia, such as harvests or peak tourism periods.
  • Temporary work visa: If you’re looking for short-term work in Saudi Arabia, apply for this visa.
  • Permanent work visa: This visa is for those looking to secure a long-term employment opportunity in Saudi Arabia.

Hajj visa

If you wish to perform Hajj during the annual Hajj season, you’ll need to specifically apply for this visa. It will be necessary to prove your Islamic faith to be eligible for this visa, and you can only get this visa through authorized travel agents.  The validity of this visa will only be for five or six days. The visa conditions state you can only use the visa to perform Hajj, and that you need to leave the country after that without going sightseeing or performing any other tourism-related activities.

Study visa

Individuals looking to undertake further studies in Saudi Arabia will require a study visa. You may want to do a language course or pursue a degree program. The visa’s validity period will often depend on the duration of your study.

Other visa types

  • Diplomatic visa
    This visa is typically granted to holders of diplomatic passports. It is only for visiting, residing, or working in diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia.

  • Missions and organizations visit
    This visa is usually issued to individuals whom foreign diplomatic missions and organizations in Saudi Arabia want to invite and host.

Saudi Tourist eVisa for Italian citizens

In late 2019, Saudi Arabia launched the eVisa for many nationalities, including Italian citizens. The purpose of the eVisa was to facilitate travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism, events, visiting relatives, or to perform Umrah (not Hajj). All Italian citizens are eligible for the Saudi Arabia eVisa.

Compared to a traditional visa, the eVisa is much more convenient as it can be completed online. The traditional visa requires traveling to the embassy or visa center and requires the submission of more documents.

Saudi eVisa Validity

The Saudi eVisa from Italy is a multiple-entry visa with a validity period of one year and permits stays of up to 90 days. With an eVisa, you can go sightseeing in Saudi Arabia as a tourist, visit friends and family, and perform Umrah (except during the Hajj period).

Saudi eVisa Requirements for Italian Citizens

To be eligible for an electronic Saudi visa from Italy, there are several requirements Italian citizens need to meet. Here’s a comprehensive list of documents you need to provide for a Saudi eVisa from Italy:

Passport

Your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months from your intended date of arrival in Saudi Arabia. Renew your passport before applying for the eVisa if it is expiring soon.

Personal photo

Ensure that the photo adheres to these guidelines:

  • Prepare a color photo taken recently with a plain white background.
  • The image size should be between 5 and 100 KB.
  • The size of the photo is to be two by two inches.
  • Your face should occupy 80% of the photo.
  • Maintain a neutral facial expression.
  • Look directly at the camera and keep your head straight.
  • Do not wear spectacles.
  • Do not wear headgear (except for religious reasons).
  • Your full face and eyes should be visible.
  • You should not wear white clothes.

Application form

Fill in the application form accurately with your information.

Learn more

How to Obtain a Saudi eVisa as an Italian Citizen

Here are the quick and easy steps to get your Saudi eVisa from Italy:

Fill out the visa application form.

  • Fill in your basic personal information, such as your full name, contact details, residential address, profession, and passport details.
  • Indicate the reason for your visit, such as visiting for leisure, visiting family and friends, participating in an event, or undertaking Umrah.
  • Note that you will need to apply for children under 18, as they require their own eVisas. Dependents will need to be accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or adult sibling when entering Saudi Arabia.

Upload photos and documents.

  • Attach a photo of yourself that meets the requirements listed above.
  • You also need to upload a copy of your passport biodata page and ensure that all the information is clearly visible.

Provide your residence information in Saudi Arabia.

  • Give details of your accommodation during your stay in Saudi Arabia, such as if you are staying with a family member or in a hotel.
  • You will need to share the email address and contact number of the family member, friend, or hotel.

Submit the Application.

Carefully review all the details you’ve entered, then proceed to submit your application.

Pay the visa fee.

Make payment for the visa fees online using a valid payment method like a working debit or credit card.

Receive your visa.

You will receive your Saudi eVisa at the email address you included in the application form. Make sure that all the details are correct, such as your full name and passport number.

Saudi eVisa Processing Time and Fees

The Saudi Arabia eVisa price for Italian citizens is USD 199. Note that this price includes our professional service fees as well as the government fees. If you’re applying for other visa types, the fees will differ. After submitting your application, you can expect to receive your visa in 24 hours.

Extending a Saudi eVisa and Staying Longer

You cannot extend the Saudi eVisa if you want to stay in Saudi Arabia for more than 90 days. To extend your stay, you will first need to leave the country and submit a new eVisa application. You can then travel to Saudi Arabia after you get your new eVisa.

Entry Rules and Travel Tips for Italian Citizens

Here are some important rules to review before you travel to Saudi Arabia: 

  • Italian nationals need a valid visa to travel to Saudi Arabia.
  • Perform activities as outlined in your visa conditions. For example, you should not find work using a tourist visa.
  • Do not overstay in Saudi Arabia after your visa expires, and make sure to leave the country promptly.

 

Check out the following travel tips:

  • The best time to visit Saudi Arabia is from October to April, as it will be cooler.
  • It’s important to dress modestly out of respect for the culture. Men should wear long pants, while women should wear long-sleeved tops or dresses and full-length skirts or pants. Your clothing should not be tight or revealing.
  • Public display of affection is not culturally acceptable and should be avoided.
  • Avoid criticizing the royal family or Islam, and respect prayer times.
  • Respect the practice of gender segregation in some public areas.

Saudi eVisa for Residents of Italy

If you are residing in Italy, but are not an Italian passport holder, it is important to check if your nationality is eligible for a Saudi eVisa. Most residents of Italy and other countries in the Schengen Area, as well as business and tourist visa holders, are eligible to apply for a Saudi visa online. As Italy is part of the Schengen Area, this applies to residents of Italy as well. 

However, there are certain nationalities that are ineligible for a Saudi eVisa despite being a resident or holding a valid visa in a Schengen country, including Italy. These countries are Chad, Ethiopia, Iran, Libya, Palestine, and Syria. Nationals from these countries will have to apply for a traditional visa through the Saudi embassy, consulate, or an authorized visa agency.

For Schengen Area residents or visa holders, here are some specific eVisa requirements to take note of:

  • First-time visitors 
    • If you’re entering Saudi Arabia using a visa based on your visa or residency permit, ensure that your visa or residency permit is valid.
    • You will need to have a business or tourist visa, or a residency permit.
    • Your visa should be stamped with an entry stamp from the issuing country. Digital entry stamps are not acceptable.
  • Returning visitors
    • If you have entered Saudi Arabia with your visit visa previously and your Saudi visa is still valid, it is not necessary to verify the validity of your Schengen visa or residency permit.
  • All visitors
    • Your passport should have a minimum validity period of six months from your intended date of arrival to Saudi Arabia.


The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will determine whether to issue a single or multiple-entry Saudi eVisa for residents or visa holders.

FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Saudi eVisa for Italian citizens:

If you’re an Italian passport holder, you can apply for a Saudi Arabia eVisa for Umrah online. Submit the required documents, fill in your personal information, and make payment. You also need to be at least 18 years old and a Muslim.

The online Umrah visa fee from Italy is USD 199. This fee is inclusive of our professional service fees and government fees.

Yes, all Italian citizens need a Saudi visa from Italy to enter the country. They can easily obtain a Saudi eVisa online.

Yes, you can apply online for an Umrah visa from Italy, as one of the eVisa’s allowed activities is performing Umrah.