Saudi Visa for US Citizens
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.
Table of contents
Saudi visas for US Citizens
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
Saudi Tourist visa for US citizens
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
Saudi Work visa for US citizens
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.
How to apply for a Saudi visa
Saudi Tourist visa for US citizens
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
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.
Processing Time
Saudi visa fees
Visa extension
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