Saudi e-Visa for UAE Residents: Who Is Eligible? (2026)

Saudi Arabia introduced its tourist e-Visa in September 2019 as part of Vision 2030, a sweeping economic reform programme aimed at opening the Kingdom to international visitors. Before 2019, tourism visas were essentially unavailable to most nationalities, and entry was largely restricted to business travellers, workers, and those performing Umrah or Hajj. The e-Visa changed this entirely for eligible passport holders.

The Saudi e-Visa is an electronically issued, multiple-entry visa valid for one year from the date of issue. It allows the holder to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days per visit within that year. The application is completed entirely online through the Visit Saudi website (visa.visitsaudi.com) and is typically approved within minutes to a few hours. There is no embassy visit, no physical document submission, and no appointment required for eligible nationalities.

This is the most misunderstood aspect of Saudi e-Visa eligibility among UAE residents, and it is worth stating plainly. Living in Dubai, holding a UAE residence visa, or even being married to a UAE national does not change your Saudi e-Visa eligibility. The Saudi government determines eligibility based solely on your passport — specifically, the nationality printed on your travel document.

This means an Indian passport holder living in Abu Dhabi has exactly the same Saudi e-Visa eligibility as an Indian passport holder living in London or Toronto. Similarly, a Pakistani passport holder in Dubai cannot access the e-Visa just because their neighbours with different passports can. The rules are uniform across all countries of residence.

There is one important distinction for GCC residents that is worth understanding: nationals of the six GCC countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar) do not need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia at all. They travel on their national identity cards or passports and enjoy visa-free access. This is separate from the e-Visa system and applies only to GCC passport holders, not to expatriate residents of GCC countries who hold other nationalities.

The following table covers the nationalities most commonly held by UAE residents, reflecting the current Saudi e-Visa eligibility status as of early 2026. Saudi Arabia has been gradually expanding its eligible country list since 2019, and the expansion to include India, China, and several other major source countries was a significant milestone. Always verify the current list on the official Visit Saudi website before applying, as the eligible country list can be updated.

Indian passport holders represent the largest single nationality group in the UAE, and many are pleasantly surprised to learn that they are fully eligible for the Saudi e-Visa. India was added to Saudi Arabia's eligible country list as part of the broader tourism expansion under Vision 2030. As of 2026, Indian passport holders — regardless of where they live — can apply for the Saudi e-Visa online.

There are no additional requirements tied to UAE residency for Indian applicants. An Indian passport holder can apply for the Saudi e-Visa whether they live in Dubai, Mumbai, London, or New York. The online application at visa.visitsaudi.com requires a valid Indian passport, a digital passport photo, a payment card for the fee, and travel insurance. Processing is typically completed within a few hours.

The approved e-Visa is valid for one year from the issue date, allows multiple entries, and permits a stay of up to 90 days per visit. Indian passport holders can use this visa for tourism, Umrah, family visits, and attendance at events across Saudi Arabia. The total cost including the visa fee and mandatory travel insurance is generally in the range of SAR 300 to 500 (approximately AED 300 to 500).

Pakistani passport holders are among the most frequent travellers between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with millions of Pakistani workers and families visiting the Kingdom annually. However, Pakistani nationals are not eligible for the Saudi e-Visa. They must apply through the Saudi Embassy or Consulate in Dubai for a traditional visa, and the process is more involved than the online e-Visa application.

Pakistani nationals who are UAE residents typically apply for their Saudi visa through the Saudi Consulate in Dubai or via authorised visa agencies. The type of visa available depends on the purpose of travel: a visit visa for family visits, a tourist visa through authorised Saudi tour operators, a commercial visa for business travel, or a work visa for employment. The requirements, fees, and processing times vary by visa type.

It is worth noting that Pakistani nationals who have previously visited Saudi Arabia on a work visa and wish to return for tourism may face additional steps. OraVisa recommends consulting with our team before applying to ensure you select the correct visa category and prepare the appropriate documentation for your specific situation.

If your nationality is on the eligible list, applying for the Saudi e-Visa is one of the simpler international visa processes available. The Saudi government has invested significantly in making the online portal user-friendly, and most applications are resolved the same day. Here is a step-by-step decision guide to help you navigate from eligibility check to approved visa.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Visit visa.visitsaudi.com and click on "Apply for Tourist Visa." The portal will ask you to select your passport nationality. If your nationality appears in the eligible dropdown, you can proceed. If your nationality is not listed or triggers an error, your passport is not eligible for the e-Visa and you must pursue the embassy visa route. You can also use the table in this guide as a quick reference for the most common nationalities in the UAE.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Documents

• Valid passport with at least 6 months validity from your planned entry date into Saudi Arabia, with at least one blank page
• Digital passport photo — recent, clear, plain white background, no glasses, face fully visible
• Valid email address where your approved e-Visa will be delivered
• Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, or other accepted cards) for the visa fee payment
• Travel insurance with minimum medical cover of USD 50,000 — this is mandatory and can be purchased during the application process through the Visit Saudi portal

Step 3: Complete the Online Application

1. 1Go to visa.visitsaudi.com and select "Tourist Visa" from the visa options.
2. 2Enter your passport details, travel dates, and contact information. Double-check every field — errors in your name, passport number, or date of birth can cause issues at Saudi immigration.
3. 3Upload your passport photo following the specifications shown on the portal.
4. 4Purchase the mandatory travel insurance through the portal if you do not already have coverage meeting their minimum requirements.
5. 5Pay the visa fee using your payment card. The current fee for most nationalities is SAR 300 (approximately AED 300 or USD 80), inclusive of the insurance premium.
6. 6Submit the application and check your email. Most e-Visas are issued within hours. Download and save the approved e-Visa PDF — you will need to present it at Saudi immigration alongside your passport.

Understanding the conditions attached to your Saudi e-Visa ensures you can plan your trip without surprises at the border or during your stay in the Kingdom.

One common point of confusion is the difference between visa validity and permitted stay duration. The e-Visa is valid for one year, meaning you can use it for multiple trips to Saudi Arabia within that 12-month window. However, any single continuous stay cannot exceed 90 days. If you leave Saudi Arabia and re-enter, your 90-day count resets for that new visit, and you continue to use the same e-Visa for the remainder of the year.

If your passport nationality does not appear on the Saudi e-Visa eligible list, you are not without options. Saudi Arabia has expanded its visa pathways significantly since 2019, and several routes exist for nationals of countries not covered by the e-Visa system.

Option 1: Apply for a Saudi Embassy Visa in Dubai

The most straightforward alternative is a traditional visa obtained through the Saudi Embassy or Consulate in Dubai. This route is available to UAE residents of all nationalities and covers various purposes including tourism, family visits, business, and employment. The documentation required is more extensive than the e-Visa — typically including a completed application form, bank statements, employment proof, hotel bookings, and flight reservations — and processing takes 5 to 15 working days.

Option 2: Saudi Tourism Visa via Authorised Tour Operators

Some nationalities that are not eligible for the e-Visa may be able to obtain a Saudi tourism visa through authorised Saudi tour operators or travel agencies. This route typically requires booking a package tour or structured itinerary, but it can provide a legal tourism entry pathway for passport holders who would otherwise be limited to embassy visas. OraVisa can advise on whether this route is available and applicable for your nationality.

Option 3: Check for Recent Eligibility Updates

Saudi Arabia has added new countries to its e-Visa eligible list multiple times since 2019. The expansion that brought India and China onto the list was particularly significant. If your nationality was previously not eligible, it is worth checking the official Visit Saudi website periodically, as the situation may have changed. OraVisa also maintains up-to-date eligibility information and provides free checks for all nationalities.