U.S. citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia — the tourist eVisa is the clean route: SAR 395 (~$105) including mandatory medical insurance, applied online in minutes at visa.visitsaudi.com. It's multiple-entry for 1 year with stays up to 90 days each, covers tourism, events, family visits and Umrah (not Hajj or work). Visa on arrival exists at the same price, but the eVisa avoids the airport queue.
The numbers that matter
| Saudi tourist eVisa | |
|---|---|
| Cost | SAR 395 (~$105) — medical insurance included |
| Validity | 1 year from issue, multiple entry |
| Stay | Up to 90 consecutive days per entry |
| Apply | visa.visitsaudi.com or ksavisa.sa — ~10 minutes |
| Covers | Tourism, events, family visits, Umrah (not Hajj, work, study) |
| Passport rule | U.S. exception — any valid passport works (6-month rule waived) |
| Refunds | None — fees are non-refundable even if rejected |
How to apply
Alternative: visa on arrival costs the same SAR 395 (SAR 300 + SAR 95 insurance) at self-service kiosks — legitimate but slower and riskier if anything flags. Flying Saudia or flynas? The stopover visa is nearly free (~$10.50 + insurance) for stays up to 96 hours.
- Apply at visa.visitsaudi.com or ksavisa.sa — the only official portals
- Create an account, upload a passport photo-style image, fill in details
- Pay SAR 395 by card — the bundled medical insurance is issued automatically with the visa
- Approval typically arrives by email within minutes to 48 hours
- Travel with the eVisa PDF (digital or printed) — it's linked to your passport number
Rules Americans get wrong
- Umrah is included — the tourist eVisa covers Umrah outside Hajj season; book your slot on Nusuk. Hajj needs a separate Hajj visa
- 180-day ceiling — beyond the 90-days-per-entry rule, the U.S. State Department warns against exceeding 180 total days in any 12-month period
- Overstay is expensive — fines from SAR 100/day plus detention, deportation and entry bans; the visa cannot be extended
- Kids need visas too — under-18s apply via a parent's account and travel with a guardian
- Watch regional tension — Saudi airports have been targets in the 2025-26 Gulf conflict; check State Department advisories before booking
Apply online — skip the paperwork
iVisa handles visa and travel authorization applications online — document review, government submission, and delivery to your inbox.
Saudi Arabia eVisa for U.S. Citizens (2026): Cost & How to Apply — FAQ
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Can Americans do Umrah on the tourist eVisa?
Does my passport need 6 months validity for Saudi Arabia?
Is the Saudi eVisa fee refundable if rejected?
Country entry requirements
Related guides
Entry rules change without notice. Always verify with official government sources (travel.state.gov, embassy websites) before booking. Last reviewed November 2026. This page may contain partner links — see our affiliate disclosure.