Saudi Arabia Visa from Dubai 2026: Tourist, Business, Umrah & Work Visa Guide

There are four main Saudi visa categories that UAE residents apply for from Dubai. Each serves a different purpose and follows a different application channel. Understanding which visa you need before starting your application saves time and avoids rejections caused by applying through the wrong route.

In addition to these four main categories, Saudi Arabia also issues transit visas (free, 96 hours, for air passengers connecting through Saudi airports), Hajj visas (seasonal, allocated through a quota system), and personal visit visas (for visiting Saudi-based family members). This guide focuses on the four visa types most commonly requested by UAE residents.

The Saudi tourist e-Visa is the fastest and most accessible route for UAE residents planning leisure travel, sightseeing, attending events like the Riyadh Season, or visiting friends and family. The e-Visa is available to passport holders from 66 eligible nationalities and can be completed entirely online without visiting an embassy or VFS centre.

Who Is Eligible for the Saudi Tourist e-Visa?

Citizens of 66 countries — including the US, UK, EU member states, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and China — can apply for the Saudi tourist e-Visa regardless of where they reside. UAE residents holding passports from non-eligible countries (such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Egypt, and Nigeria) are also eligible for the tourist e-Visa if they hold a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa or residence permit. This expanded eligibility rule has made the Saudi tourist e-Visa accessible to a much larger portion of the UAE resident population.

How to Apply for the Saudi Tourist e-Visa from Dubai

1. 1Visit the official Saudi e-Visa portal at visa.visitsaudi.com and create an account.
2. 2Select "Tourist Visa" as the visa type and enter your passport nationality.
3. 3Fill in your personal details — full name as on passport, date of birth, passport number, and expiry date.
4. 4Upload a digital passport-style photo meeting Saudi specifications (white background, 200x200 pixels minimum).
5. 5Pay the visa fee of SAR 480 (approximately AED 472) by credit or debit card. This includes mandatory health insurance coverage of SAR 180.
6. 6Receive your e-Visa approval via email — most approvals arrive within minutes, though some nationalities may take up to 24 hours.
7. 7Download and print the e-Visa confirmation. You can also access it digitally through the Visit Saudi app.

The Saudi business visa is required for UAE-based professionals attending formal meetings, signing contracts, participating in trade exhibitions, or conducting commercial activities in the Kingdom that go beyond what the tourist e-Visa permits. Unlike the tourist e-Visa, the business visa requires sponsorship from a Saudi-registered company or organisation.

Business Visa Document Requirements

• Invitation letter from the Saudi sponsoring company — must be on company letterhead, include your full name, passport number, purpose of visit, and proposed dates. The letter must be attested by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
• MOFA approval — the Saudi sponsor submits a visa request through the Enjaz platform (enjaz.com.sa), which routes through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). You receive a MOFA number once approved.
• Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your planned travel dates and at least two blank pages.
• Passport-size photograph — white background, 4x6 cm, recent (within last 6 months).
• Employment letter from your UAE employer — confirming your job title, salary, and purpose of the Saudi business trip.
• UAE residence visa copy and Emirates ID — both must be valid at the time of application.
• Company trade licence — a copy of both your UAE employer trade licence and the Saudi sponsor company commercial registration (CR).

Business Visa Application Process

1. 1Your Saudi sponsor initiates the visa application through the MOFA Enjaz platform and obtains an approved MOFA visa number.
2. 2With the MOFA number, submit your documents at the Royal Saudi Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Saudi Consulate in Dubai, or through an authorised visa agent such as OraVisa.
3. 3Pay the business visa fee — ranges from SAR 300 for a single-entry to SAR 2,000 for a multiple-entry visa depending on validity and number of entries.
4. 4Processing typically takes 3 to 7 working days from submission of complete documents.
5. 5Collect your passport with the business visa sticker or receive digital confirmation depending on the visa category.

The Umrah visa operates under a completely separate system from tourist and business visas. Since 2023, all Umrah pilgrims — regardless of nationality — must register and book their Umrah package through the official Nusuk platform (nusuk.sa). This applies to UAE residents applying from Dubai as well. Direct walk-in applications at the Saudi embassy are not accepted for Umrah.

Umrah Visa Application Steps from Dubai

1. 1Register on the Nusuk platform at nusuk.sa and create a pilgrim profile with your passport details.
2. 2Book an Umrah package through Nusuk — packages include Umrah permit, accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, and transport. Alternatively, book through an authorised Umrah travel agent in Dubai who handles the Nusuk registration on your behalf.
3. 3Upload your passport photo, personal details, and proof of vaccination (meningococcal ACWY vaccine is mandatory; COVID-19 vaccination is recommended).
4. 4Pay the package fee — Umrah packages from Dubai-based agents typically range from AED 300 for a basic permit-only service to AED 800 or more for a full-service package including flights, accommodation, and ground transport.
5. 5Receive your Umrah visa and Nusuk permit digitally. The Umrah e-Visa is typically issued within 3 to 5 working days.
6. 6Download the Nusuk app for real-time access to your Umrah permit, itinerary, and mosque entry reservations.

UAE residents holding a valid Saudi tourist e-Visa can also perform Umrah without a separate Umrah visa — the Saudi government announced in 2023 that tourist e-Visa holders may perform Umrah, provided they book a Nusuk permit separately. This is a significant convenience for frequent travellers between Dubai and Saudi Arabia who already hold the tourist e-Visa.

The Saudi work visa is entirely employer-driven. If you are a UAE resident relocating to Saudi Arabia for employment, your Saudi employer handles the entire visa process through the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) and MOFA. You cannot apply for a Saudi work visa independently from Dubai.

Work Visa Process and Requirements

1. 1Your Saudi employer issues a job offer and submits a work visa request through the Qiwa platform, which interfaces with the Ministry of Labour.
2. 2MOFA issues a block visa (visa authorisation number) to the Saudi employer once the labour quota and Saudization requirements are met.
3. 3You submit your passport, educational certificates (attested by UAE MOFA and the Saudi Cultural Attache), medical fitness report from an approved centre, and police clearance certificate to the Saudi embassy in Abu Dhabi or through an authorised agent.
4. 4A medical examination is required — this must be done at a GAMCA-approved medical centre in the UAE. The results are valid for 3 months.
5. 5Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks from the time the block visa is issued, depending on document attestation timelines and medical clearance.
6. 6Upon approval, you receive a work visa sticker in your passport. You must enter Saudi Arabia within the visa validity period (usually 90 days) and complete the Iqama (residence permit) process after arrival.

Saudi visa fees vary significantly depending on the visa type, number of entries, and whether you use an agent or apply directly. Below is a breakdown of current fee structures for UAE-based applicants.

The tourist e-Visa is the most cost-effective option, with a fixed all-inclusive price paid directly on the Visit Saudi portal. Business visa costs depend heavily on whether the Saudi sponsor covers the government fee. For Umrah, the total cost depends on the package level — basic permit-only services start around AED 300, while full packages with accommodation and transport run higher.

Processing times vary considerably between visa types. The tourist e-Visa is the fastest, while the work visa is the slowest due to attestation and medical clearance requirements.

The visa process for Saudi Arabia varies based on your passport nationality. UAE residents from different countries face different eligibility criteria, particularly for the tourist e-Visa. Here is a quick reference for the most common nationalities among UAE residents.

If your nationality is not among the 66 directly eligible countries and you do not hold a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa or residence permit, you must apply for a Saudi visa through the Royal Saudi Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Saudi Consulate in Dubai. This typically requires a purpose-specific invitation (business, family visit, or event) and takes longer to process.

The application process depends on the visa type. Below is a consolidated step-by-step guide covering the most common scenario: the tourist e-Visa for an eligible UAE resident.

1. 1Confirm your eligibility — check if your nationality qualifies for the Saudi tourist e-Visa directly, or if you need a valid US/UK/Schengen visa to qualify. Visit visa.visitsaudi.com and enter your passport nationality.
2. 2Gather your documents — you need a valid passport (6+ months validity), a digital passport photo (white background), and a credit or debit card for fee payment. If applying for a business or work visa, collect the additional documents listed in the relevant sections above.
3. 3Apply online (tourist e-Visa) — create an account on the Visit Saudi portal, fill in the application form, upload your photo, and pay SAR 480. Most approvals arrive within minutes.
4. 4Apply through your sponsor (business visa) — have your Saudi sponsor initiate the MOFA Enjaz application. Once the MOFA number is issued, submit your documents at the Saudi consulate or through OraVisa.
5. 5Apply through Nusuk (Umrah) — register on nusuk.sa or book through an authorised Umrah agent in Dubai. Upload documents and pay the package fee.
6. 6Apply through your employer (work visa) — your Saudi employer initiates the process through Qiwa. You attend the GAMCA medical, complete attestations, and submit your passport for visa stamping.
7. 7Download your visa — once approved, download and print your e-Visa (tourist) or collect your passport with the visa sticker (business/work). Save a digital copy on your phone.
8. 8Travel to Saudi Arabia — present your e-Visa or visa sticker at the Saudi immigration checkpoint. Land borders (Abu Samra via Qatar or Al Batha from UAE) and all Saudi airports accept e-Visa holders.

While the Saudi tourist e-Visa is straightforward for eligible nationalities, business visas, Umrah coordination, and work visa attestation involve multiple stakeholders and complex document chains. OraVisa simplifies these processes for UAE residents.

• Business visa coordination — we liaise directly with your Saudi sponsor to ensure the MOFA Enjaz application is submitted correctly the first time, reducing processing delays caused by incomplete or incorrectly attested documents.
• Umrah visa packages — OraVisa partners with authorised Umrah agents to offer competitive packages with transparent pricing. We handle Nusuk registration, accommodation booking, and permit issuance.
• Work visa attestation — the attestation chain for Saudi work visas (UAE MOFA, Saudi Cultural Attache, Saudi MOFA) is one of the most complex in the region. OraVisa manages the full attestation process, saving you weeks of follow-up.
• Nationality-specific guidance — we advise UAE residents from non-eligible nationalities on the best route to obtain Saudi entry, including leveraging existing US, UK, or Schengen visas for e-Visa eligibility.
• Dubai-based support — our team in Dubai provides in-person document review, appointment assistance, and real-time application tracking.