Saudi Visa for US Citizens
US nationals traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes are eligible to apply online for a Saudi eVisa prior to travel. With a Saudi eVisa, American travelers can enter Saudi Arabia multiple times for up to 90 days each visit during the one-year Saudi eVisa validity period, or, in some cases, a single-entry visa is issued that permits a 30-day stay within a 3-month validity period. Please note that the Saudi eVisa includes the Umrah pilgrimage, except during the Hajj season. US citizens are eligible to obtain a KSA visa on arrival, but it is always advised to apply online for a Saudi eVisa, prior to travel, in order to avoid long airport lines and delays.
US citizens seeking work in Saudi Arabia should apply for a Saudi work visa, which permits a 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia, during which time the American worker should apply for a Saudi residence visa. Along with the Saudi work permit, or Iqama, the Saudi residence visa allows the American national to live and work long-term in Saudi Arabia. For short-term work activities, like corporate events, business meetings, or negotiations, US citizens are required to hold a Saudi business visa, which is applied for by a Saudi host company on the American visitor’s behalf. The Saudi business visa is a single-entry visa valid for 3 months, allowing a 30-day stay (extendable), or a multiple-entry visa valid for 6 months or 1 year, allowing a 90-day stay for each visit (non-extendable).
Please be advised that overstays in Saudi Arabia may result in fines and deportation. Accordingly, be aware of your Saudi visa validity dates and travel dates to avoid inconveniences.
Table of contents
Saudi visa for US Citizens
American citizens wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for short or long-term purposes, such as employment, business, family visits, pilgrimage, or transit purposes, should apply for the appropriate Saudi visa, prior to their trip to Saudi Arabia. Depending on their travel purpose to Saudi Arabia, US citizens can apply for the following Saudi visas:
Tourist visa
For tourism activities, you should apply online for the Saudi eVisa for US citizens, which allows for multiple 90-day visits within the one-year Saudi eVisa validity period, or for a single 30-day entry that is valid for 3 months.
Business visit visa
Saudi companies wishing to host an American citizen for business activities, such as meetings, negotiations, or corporate visits, should apply on behalf of the American visitor.
Employment visa
US nationals seeking employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia should apply for a Saudi employment visa.
Student visa
American citizens enrolled in a Saudi Arabian educational institution should apply for a Saudi student visa.
Residence visa
American citizens, who are already in Saudi Arabia on a short-term visa and wish to live in Saudi Arabia long-term, should apply for the Saudi residence visa.
Premium residency visa
US citizens wishing to live and invest in Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi premium residency visa, which allows American nationals to reside, own property, invest, work, change jobs, hire foreign workers, sponsor family, and enter and exit Saudi Arabia, without the need for a Saudi sponsor.
Family visit visa
Saudi nationals or legal residents wishing to host a first-degree relative for a short-term visit to Saudi Arabia can apply for the Saudi family visit visa on behalf of the American visitor.
Companion visa
US citizens wishing to accompany another person on a trip to Saudi Arabia should apply for a Saudi companion visa.
Personal visit visa
Saudi nationals wishing to host an American visitor in Saudi Arabia for a short-term, non-business, non-family visit to Saudi Arabia.
Newborn visa
American parents, who have a valid Saudi work permit (Iqama), and the mother of the child has a valid re-entry visa into Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi newborn visa.
Government visa
US citizens, invited by a Saudi Arabian government institution, ministry, or department, can apply for a Saudi government visa.
Diplomatic & official visas
Official or diplomatic American citizens should apply for a Saudi diplomatic and official visa.
Diplomatic missions & organizations
US citizens visiting a Saudi Arabian mission or organization should apply for Saudi diplomatic missions and organizations visa.
Extension of exit/re-entry visa
American employees and their dependents, wishing to travel to and from Saudi Arabia for a specific period of time, should apply for the Saudi extension of exit/re-entry visa.
Hajj visa
Muslim US citizens, wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage purposes, should apply for a Saudi Hajj visa.
Umrah visa
Muslim US citizens, wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage purposes, should apply for a Saudi Umrah visa.
Transit visa
American travelers on a layover in Saudi Arabia for more than 12 hours should apply for a Saudi transit visa. US citizens in Saudi Arabia for less than 12 hours do not need a Saudi transit visa.
Requirements
Saudi Tourist visa for US citizens
US citizens, 18 years or older, should meet the following Saudi Arabia visa requirements when applying for a Saudi eVisa:
Application
American applicant fills out a Saudi visa application form, with personal data and other requested information.
Passport
American applicants should hold a US passport, valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia or that meets the rules of reciprocity.
Personal photo
American applicants must submit one recent color photo; against a white background; 2x2 inches; natural facial expressions; 80% face; no eyeglasses; no headwear, except for religious reasons.
Saudi visa-on-arrival for Americans
US citizens are eligible to obtain a Saudi visa on arrival at Saudi ports of entry; however, it is always advised to apply online for a Saudi eVisa, before traveling to avoid airport lines and delays.
Saudi Work visa for US citizens
The Saudi work visa for American nationals allows for a maximum 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia, during which time the US citizen should apply for a Saudi residence permit through the Saudi Ministry of Labor. Along with the Saudi work permit, or Iqama, the Saudi residence permit grants American visitors the right to live and work in Saudi Arabia for 1 year, extendable, based on the US citizen maintaining the same employment with the same Saudi employer. To apply for the Saudi work visa, American applicants must be at least 18 years old and should meet the following requirements:
Employment Confirmation
Saudi employer applies with the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Labor for a Saudi employment visa, on the American worker’s behalf. The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will issue a visa authorization number.
Sponsorship letter
American applicants should be invited by a Saudi Arabian organization, certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce. The sponsorship letter must indicate the American applicant’s name, position, block visa number, and date.
Diploma
American applicants must have a certified and notarized copy of their university degree or training/technical diploma, authenticated by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.
Employment contract
The American employee signs an employment contract and the Saudi employer, then certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
Power of Attorney
Saudi MOFA issues digital power of attorney from the Saudi employer.
Visa referral note
A visa referral note must be issued by the Saudi MOFA stating the Saudi work visa number and date.
Health report
American applicants must submit 3 copies of their health report, issued within the last 3 months by a licensed physician, stating the doctor’s license number and address, complete with disease-free lab results.
Police report
American applicants must submit a recent and detailed police report, issued at least 6 months before the Saudi work visa application, proving a crime-free record.
Medical Insurance
American applicants should purchase health insurance in Saudi Arabia.
Passport
American applicants should hold a passport valid for 6 months from the date of travel to Saudi Arabia, with 2 blank pages facing each other.
Application
American applicant should fill out a Saudi work visa application form on the Saudi MOFA portal, then submit the application and required documents by mail or at their nearest Saudi embassy or consulate.
With a Saudi work visa, US citizens can travel to Saudi Arabia and stay for up to 90 days, during this time the American national should convert the Saudi work visa into a Saudi residence permit, allowing the American visitor to live and work in Saudi Arabia long-term.
How to apply for a Saudi visa
Saudi Tourist visa for US citizens
US citizens traveling to Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes can apply online at SaudiVisa.com:
Submit application form
American applicant fills out the online Saudi evisa application form, including personal data, passport details, and other requested information.
Pay fees online
American applicant pays the Saudi eVisa fees of US$ 199 securely online, with a valid credit or debit card, Apple pay or Google pay.
Receive approved visa
The approved Saudi eVisa will be sent to the email provided. You should check that all information on the Saudi eVisa is correct and matches your American passport.
Saudi Work visa for US citizens
To apply for a Saudi visa, American applicants should follow these steps:
Apply for Saudi work visa
- Saudi employer applies to MOFA for a Saudi work visa on the American worker’s behalf.
- American worker fills out the Saudi work visa application on the Saudi MOFA portal, including their personal data and other requested information. American applicant then prints out the Saudi work visa application form, signs it, and affix their personal photos.
- American applicant pays the Saudi work visa fees securely online at the Saudi MOFA portal.
Submit work visa
American applicant submits their Saudi job visa application and required documents by mail or in person at their nearest Saudi Arabia embassy or consulate.
Receive work visa
American applicant retrieves the approved Saudi work visa from the Saudi Arabia embassy or consulate where they applied.
Saudi work visa information must be correct and match the information on the American national’s passport.
Apply for residence permit
During their 90-day permitted stay in Saudi Arabia, the American worker should apply with the Saudi Ministry of Labor for a Saudi residence permit.
The Saudi residence permit allows the US citizen to work and live in Saudi Arabia for 1-year, or as long as the American worker is doing the same work for the same Saudi employer.
Processing Time
The Saudi eVisa process is quick and easy, and US citizens can get an approved Saudi Arabia eVisa within just 24 hours. Some Saudi visas may take longer, depending on the Saudi visa being applied for. It is always recommended to start the application process early in case of delays.
Saudi Arabia visa fees
Saudi visa fees for US citizens range depending on the type of Saudi visa being applied for. Factors such as the applicant’s nationality, duration of stay, and purpose of visit can also influence the final cost. Additionally, government fees and service charges may apply.
Visa extension
The Saudi eVisa is not extendable. Accordingly, American travelers, wishing to stay longer in Saudi Arabia, should leave Saudi Arabia before their Saudi eVisa expiry date, after which they can reapply for a new Saudi eVisa and travel back to Saudi Arabia.
US Embassy and Consulates in Saudi Arabia
US Embassy in Saudi Arabia:
Address: Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia.
Telephone: 00966 11-835-4000
US Consulate General in Dhahran:
Address: P.O. Box 38955, Dhahran (Doha), 31942, Saudi Arabia.
Telephone: 966 (013) 839-5700
US Consulate General in Jeddah:
Address: Al Safa Street, Al Muhammadiyah District, near the new American School building. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Telephone: +966 12 220 5000
Saudi Arabia Embassy and Consulates in the United States
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia:
Address: 601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: (202) 342-3800
Saudi Arabian Consulates General:
Houston
Address: 5718 Westheimer Road, Suite 1500, Houston, TX 77057
Telephone: (713) 785-5577
Los Angeles
Address: 12400 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Telephone: (310) 479-6000
New York
Address: 866 Second Ave., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10017
Telephone: (212) 752-2740
Saudi visa for US citizens FAQ
Can you enter Saudi Arabia with a US passport?
Yes, Americans can enter Saudi Arabia with a U.S. passport, as long as they hold a valid Saudi visa. U.S. citizens are eligible to apply online for a Saudi e-visa, allowing them multiple entries of 90-days each visit within a one-year visa validity period, or a single-entry 30-day visit within a 3-month visa validity period. Depending on the purpose of the trip to Saudi Arabia, American citizens can apply for the appropriate Saudi visa and enter the Kingdom with their U.S. passport.
Can I get a visa-on-arrival in Saudi Arabia?
U.S. citizens are eligible to obtain a visa-on-arrival at Saudi ports of entry. However, we advise you to apply online, prior to traveling to Saudi Arabia, for a Saudi e-visa, in order to avoid airport lines and possible delays.
Do US citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Yes, U.S. citizens are required to hold a Saudi visa in order to enter Saudi Arabia. Americans are eligible to apply online for a Saudi e-visa and can do so in 3 simple steps at SaudiVisa.com.
Can green card holders apply for Saudi eVisa?
Yes, as of January 2025, U.S. green card holders are eligible to apply for a Saudi eVisa, provided they hold a passport from one of the countries eligible for the eVisa program.