Saudi Visa for US Citizens

U.S. foreign nationals traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes are eligible to apply online for a Saudi e-visa prior to traveling. With a Saudi e-visa American travelers can enter Saudi Arabia multiple times for 90 days each visit during the one-year Saudi e-visa 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 e-visa includes Umrah pilgrimage, except during Hajj season. American citizens are eligible to obtain a Saudi visa-on-arrival, but it is always advised to apply online for a Saudi e-visa, prior to travel, in order to avoid long airport lines and delays.

U.S. citizens seeking work in Saudi Arabia should apply for the 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 as a multiple-entry visa valid for 6 months or 1 year, allowing a 90-day stay 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.

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Saudi visas 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, U.S. citizens can apply for the following Saudi visas:

Tourist visa

American citizens traveling to Saudi Arabia for tourism activities should apply online for the Saudi e-visa, which allows for multiple 90-day visits within the one-year Saudi e-visa 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

U.S. nationals seeking employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia should apply for the Saudi employment visa.

Student visa

American citizens enrolled in a Saudi Arabia educational institution should apply for the 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

U.S. 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

U.S. citizens wishing to accompany another person on a trip to Saudi Arabia should apply for the 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

U.S. citizens, invited by a Saudi Arabian government institution, ministry, or department, can apply for the Saudi government visa.

Diplomatic & official visas

Official or diplomatic American citizens should apply for the Saudi diplomatic and official visa.

Diplomatic missions & organizations

U.S. citizens visiting a Saudi Arabian mission or organization should apply for the 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

American Muslims, wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage purposes, should apply for the Saudi Hajj visa.

Umrah visa

American Muslims, wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage purposes, should apply for a Saudi Umrah visa.

Transit visa

American travelers on layover in Saudi Arabia for more than 12 hours should apply for the Saudi transit visa. U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia for less than 12 hours do not need a Saudi transit visa.

Requirements

American citizens applying for a Saudi visa should prepare the following:

Saudi Tourist visa for US citizens

Americans, 18 years or older, should meet the following requirements when applying for a Saudi e-visa:

Application

American applicant fills out a Saudi visa application form at SaudiVisa.com, with personal data and other requested information.

Passport

American applicant should hold a U.S. 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 applicant must submit one recent color photo; against a white background; 2x2 inches; 5 to 100 KB natural facial expressions; 80% face; no eyeglasses; no head wear, except for religious reasons.

Saudi visa-on-arrival for Americans

U.S. 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 e-visa, prior to traveling, in order 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 U.S. 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 allows American visitors the right to live and work in Saudi Arabia for 1 year, extendable, based on the U.S. 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 visa

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 applicant 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 the date.

Diploma

American applicant must have a certified and notarized copy of their university degree or training/technical diploma, authenticated by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.

Employment contract

An employment contract is signed by the American employee 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 Saudi MOFA stating the Saudi work visa number and date.

Health report

American applicant 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 applicant 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 applicant should purchase health insurance in Saudi Arabia.

Passport

American applicant should hold a passport that is valid for 6 months from the date of travel to Saudi Arabia, with 2 blank pages that are 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, U.S. citizens can travel to Saudi Arabia and stay for up to 90 days, during which 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

To apply for a Saudi visa, American applicants should follow these steps:

Saudi Tourist visa for US citizens

U.S. citizens traveling to Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes can apply online at SaudiVisa.com:

Submit application form

American applicant fills out the online Saudi e-visa application form, including personal data, passport details, and other requested information.

Pay fees online

American applicant pays the Saudi e-visa fees securely online, with a valid credit or debit card.

Receive approved visa

The approved Saudi e-visa will be sent to the email provided. You should check that all information on the Saudi e-visa 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 affixes 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 permits the U.S. 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 e-visa process is quick and easy, and U.S. citizens can get an approved Saudi Arabia e-visa 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 visa fees

Saudi visa fees range depending on the type of Saudi visa being applied for.

Visa extension

The Saudi e-visa is not extendable. Accordingly, American travelers, wishing to stay longer in Saudi Arabia, should leave Saudi Arabia before their Saudi e-visa expiry date, after which they can reapply for a new Saudi e-visa 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

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.
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.
No, 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.