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Saudi Visa for Swedish Citizens

What is a Saudi Visa?

A Saudi Arabia visa for Swedish citizens is an official travel document that allows Swedish citizens to enter, stay, and travel within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for a specified purpose and duration. Swedish citizens who want to travel to Saudi Arabia need to apply for a visa before they travel.

The visa is typically stamped in the applicant’s passport or issued electronically, depending on the type of visa. Without a valid visa, entry into Saudi Arabia is not permitted.

There are various types of visas, depending on the purpose of travel and the intended duration of stay. The most common types are:

  • Tourist Visa
  • Business Visa
  • Work Visa
  • Umrah Visa
  • Hajj Visa
  • Family Visit Visa
  • Student Visa
  • Residence Visa (Iqama)


The validity of Saudi visas varies depending on the type of visa issued. For example, Tourist Visas are typically valid for one year from the date of issue, the Umrah Visa is valid for 90 days, and Student Visas are valid for the duration of the academic program, although they may be renewed on a year-by-year basis.

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Do Swedish Citizens Need a Visa for Saudi Arabia?

Swedish citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to Saudi Arabia. The type of KSA visa needed depends on the purpose of the visit, such as tourism, business, religious pilgrimage, or work. For short-term visits of less than 90 days for purposes including tourism and performing Umrah outside of the Hajj season, Swedish citizens can apply for the Saudi eVisa, also known as the Saudi Tourist Visa.

Saudi Visa Types for Swedish Citizens

For Swedish citizens traveling to Saudi Arabia, there are multiple visa options available depending on the purpose of their visit and how long they intend to stay. The most popular types of Saudi Arabia visa for Swedish citizens are:

Tourist eVisa

This type of visa allows travelers to explore Saudi Arabia for leisure purposes and is issued electronically. It is typically valid for one year and allows multiple entries for up to 90 days per visit. The electronic visa for Swedish citizens allows for tourism, cultural visits, attending events, visiting family and friends, and performing Umrah outside of the Hajj season.

Business Visa

Business Visas are intended for people who are attending meetings, conferences, networking events, or trade activities in Saudi Arabia. Applicants can choose a single or multi-entry Business Visa, depending on how often they plan to visit KSA for business purposes.

Hajj Visa

The Hajj Visa is for Swedish Muslims performing the Hajj pilgrimage and is only available during the annual Hajj season.

Umrah Visa

Applying for an Umrah Visa to perform Umrah from Sweden allows Swedish Muslims to enter Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah – the pilgrimage to the holy cities of Makkah (Mecca) and Madinah.

Work Visa

Work Visas are for Swedish citizens who have secured employment in Saudi Arabia. The employer must be a Saudi company or organization, and the applicant will need both sponsorship and a job contract. KSA offers three types of Work visas:

  • Seasonal Work Visa
  • Temporary Work Visa
  • Permanent Work Visa

Transit Visa

The Transit Visa is for individuals passing through Saudi Arabia on the way to another destination. There are three types of Transit Visa:

  • Air Transit Visa
  • Land Transit Visa
  • Sea Transit Visa

Learn more

Saudi Tourist eVisa for Swedish Citizens

The Saudi Arabia eVisa for Swedish citizens is an electronic visa introduced by Saudi Arabia in September 2019 to facilitate tourism and short-term visits. It allows eligible travelers, including Swedish citizens, to enter the Kingdom for leisure, events, and Umrah (outside the Hajj season).

Swedish citizens are eligible to apply for the Saudi eVisa online. The process is quick and simple, and approval is often granted within 72 hours.

The eVisa has many benefits, particularly when compared to traditional visas. For example:

  • Convenience: Quick and easy online application process compared to the longer process and the required embassy visits for traditional visas.
  • Faster processing: Approval is typically within days.
  • Multiple entries: Valid for one year with multiple entries, unlike many single-entry traditional visas.

Saudi eVisa Validity

The Saudi eVisa is usually valid for one year from the date of issue. It allows multiple entries into Saudi Arabia, as long as the total stay does not exceed 90 days per validity period.

The eVisa permits the following activities:

  • Tourism
  • Visiting family and friends
  • Transit
  • Umrah (outside of Hajj season)
  • Attending sporting, music, and cultural events and festivals.

The eVisa does not permit work, business activities, Hajj, or long-term stays in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi eVisa Requirements for Swedish Citizens

When applying for a Saudi visa from Sweden, it is essential for applicants to comply with the visa requirements for Swedish citizens. They must submit specific documents as part of their application, including:

Valid passport

Applicants need a Swedish passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of entry. They will need to upload a copy of their passport in an accepted format (JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, or PDF) as part of the application and enter their passport information on the application form.

Recent photograph

The application requires a passport-sized photo that meets the Saudi visa specifications, including:

  • Taken against a white or neutral-colored background.
  • Neutral facial expression.
  • No headwear except for religious reasons.
  • The face should be 80% of the photograph.
  • The photograph should be between 5KB-5MB and 2x2 inches.

Email address

Applicants need to enter a working email address on the application form. Any notifications about the application and the eVisa decision (e.g., the approval notification) will be sent to this email address.

Valid payment method

The application fee can be paid using a valid payment method such as a debit or credit card. It is recommended to keep a copy of the payment receipt.

Learn more

How to Obtain a Saudi eVisa as a Swedish Citizen

To apply for a Saudi Arabian visa from Sweden online, it is important to follow the steps below. The application must be completed fully, and any information provided must be honest and correct to prevent any delays and reduce the risk of your application being rejected.

Complete the application form

The first step is to complete the online application form. You will need to fill out the required information accurately, including passport details, personal information, contact information, and details about your travel plans.

Upload the necessary documentation

You will need to submit a scanned copy of your passport and a recent personal photograph. It is essential to ensure that all document uploads meet the specifications.

Pay the visa fee

Use a valid payment method like a credit or debit card to complete the payment. After the payment has been approved, save the proof of confirmation receipt for your records.

Submit the application

Ensure you review the application to make sure all the information you have provided is correct. Also, check that you have provided the correct email address so you can receive your tracking reference number and your eVisa confirmation.

Receive your visa

Approval is typically sent via email within 72 hours. Once your eVisa has been approved, it will be electronically connected to your passport. However, it is recommended to save or print a hard copy of your approval, just in case there are any issues when traveling to Saudi Arabia.

Each traveler to Saudi Arabia must have their own eVisa, including children. Saudi Arabian immigration rules specify that anyone under the age of 18 is considered a minor. This means that under-18s must have an adult who has the legal authority (e.g., a parent or guardian) apply for the eVisa on their behalf.

Saudi eVisa Processing Time and Fees

The Saudi eVisa is typically processed within 72 hours of submission. However, applicants are advised to apply in advance to avoid any delays in their travel plans. The Saudi Arabia eVisa price is $199, which includes both the government fees and our professional service fees for application processing.

Extending a Saudi eVisa and Staying Longer

Currently, the Saudi eVisa cannot be extended beyond its original validity. Travelers must leave the country before their authorized stay expires. To stay longer, Swedish citizens can apply for a different type of visa to Saudi Arabia from Sweden that better suits their purpose, such as a business visa, work visa, or student visa. Alternatively, once the eVisa expires, travelers can reapply for a new eVisa if they meet the eligibility requirements. However, they will need to leave Saudi Arabia first before applying for the new eVisa, then enter again with it.

Entry Rules and Travel Tips for Swedish Citizens

Saudi Arabian immigration rules specify that Swedish citizens must hold a valid Saudi eVisa or a relevant visa for their travel purpose before traveling to KSA. Failure to have a valid visa could result in the individual being denied boarding before traveling to Saudi Arabia or being denied entry at the Saudi border.

Applicants must also have a valid Swedish passport with at least six months of validity from the date of entry. If you have more than one passport (i.e., dual citizen), you must use the same passport to travel to Saudi Arabia that you used on your application.

When visiting Saudi Arabia, it is important to respect local customs, including following the Saudi dress expectations (i.e., dressing modestly) and public behaviour guidelines, particularly between people of different genders.

Saudi eVisa for Residents of Sweden

The Saudi eVisa eligibility usually depends on nationality rather than residency status. However, an exception to this is individuals who are Schengen residents or business or tourist visa holders in a Schengen country. Because Sweden is a Schengen country, this includes residents of Sweden. While Swedish residents will still need to input their nationality, based on their passport-issuing country, they can apply for a Saudi eVisa using their residency status.

There are specific requirements for residents or visa holders in Sweden (who are not Swedish citizens) who want to apply for the KSA eVisa, including:

  • Must hold a valid residency permit from a Schengen country or a valid Schengen business/tourist visa.
  • The residency or visa should be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended stay in Saudi Arabia.
  • Applicants must upload a copy of their residency or visa document during the application process.


However, certain nationalities, such as nationals of Chad, Ethiopia, Iran, Libya, Palestine, and Syria, are not eligible for the Saudi eVisa, even if they hold residency or a visa from Sweden. Instead, they must apply for a traditional visa for Saudi Arabia from Sweden through an embassy or consulate.

FAQ

Swedish citizens can apply for a tourist visa on arrival at one of Saudi Arabia’s entry points. However, they cannot apply for the eVisa on arrival. The eVisa can only be applied for online, BEFORE the applicant travels to Saudi Arabia. Applying for the eVisa for Saudi Arabia from Sweden before travel can prevent any issues or delays at the Saudi border.

Swedish citizens can obtain an Umrah visa by applying online for a Saudi eVisa, which allows Umrah outside the Hajj season. Alternatively, if they prefer, they can apply for a traditional Umrah visa that has a validity of 90 days through authorized travel agents.

Swedish citizens can apply for an Umrah visa online through the Saudi eVisa online application. However, if you are applying for a traditional Umrah visa, this can only be done through a travel agent authorized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Applications can usually be completed on the agent’s online portal.

If the applicant applies for the eVisa to perform Umrah, the application fee is $199. If they opt for the Umrah visa, this does not have a fixed fee. The price varies depending on the travel agency and package chosen.

​The cost of performing Hajj from Sweden varies based on the travel agency and the package selected. Many Hajj packages include the cost of airfare, accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, and additional services such as transfers. How long you choose to spend in Saudi Arabia will also affect the cost. Prices can vary from $800-$10,000 (SEK7,775 – 97,187).