How Indian passport holders get a visa for Saudi Arabia: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Sticker visa via VFS — eVisa / VOA only with US, UK or Schengen visa
- Government fee: Sticker tourist visa via VFS: approximately SAR 480 total including visa fee + mandatory medical insurance + VAT (~₹10,500 / ~$128). eVisa (only if holding US/UK/Schengen visa): similar ~SAR 480 total. Plus VFS service charges. Umrah package costs are separate.
- Processing time: Sticker visa via VFS: typically 5–10 working days. eVisa (eligible holders): 24–48 hours. Visa on arrival (eligible holders): issued at the airport.
- Maximum stay: Tourist visa: multi-entry, valid 1 year, up to 90 days per visit. Umrah visa: 30 days from issuance, up to 90 days stay after entry.
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 45/100
Documents you'll need
- Indian passport valid at least 6 months
- Recent passport-size photo on white background
- Confirmed hotel booking in Saudi Arabia
- Confirmed return / onward flight ticket
- Bank statement / proof of funds
- Mandatory medical insurance (sold with the visa)
- For eVisa / VOA route: copy of valid USED US, UK or Schengen visa or EU/UK/US permanent residence
How & where to apply
Ordinary Indian passport holders are NOT on the eVisa-eligible list — apply for the tourist sticker visa via VFS Global in India. Indians holding a USED US, UK or Schengen tourist/business visa can apply for the standard eVisa online or get a visa on arrival when flying with Saudia / Flynas / Flyadeal. Umrah/Hajj pilgrims apply via a Saudi-authorised travel agent using the Nusuk app. Saudi eVisa portal (official)
Transit & connections
Free Saudi transit visa (96-hour stopover scheme) available via Saudia / Flynas with onward ticket. Airside transit needs no visa.
How Saudi Arabia compares in the Gulf & Middle East
With an ease score of 45/100 this is a moderate-effort application for Indians — start early and follow the document checklist exactly. Saudi Arabia requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Sticker visa via VFS — eVisa / VOA only with US, UK or Schengen visa | Sticker tourist visa via VFS: approximately SAR 480 total including visa fee + mandatory medical insurance + VAT (~₹10,500 / ~$128). eVisa (only if holding US/UK/Schengen visa): similar ~SAR 480 total. Plus VFS service charges. Umrah package costs are separate. | Sticker visa via VFS: typically 5–10 working days. eVisa (eligible holders): 24–48 hours. Visa on arrival (eligible holders): issued at the airport. |
| 🇶🇦 Qatar | Free visa on arrival — pre-book hotel via Discover Qatar | Visa on arrival is free. (The Hayya e-visa alternative costs QAR 100.) Note: the Discover Qatar hotel booking is a paid commercial cost, not a government fee. | Visa on arrival is issued immediately at the immigration counter |
| 🇦🇪 UAE (Dubai) | eVisa — pre-arranged before travel | From about AED 250 (varies by visa duration & type). Visa on arrival for the special category below is AED 253. Airline / VFS service fees are extra — confirm exact pricing on the official portal. | Pre-arranged eVisa: usually 3–5 working days. Visa on arrival (eligible category): up to 48 hours |
| 🇴🇲 Oman | eVisa — Royal Oman Police portal | 10-day single entry (26E): OMR 5 (~₹1,100 / ~$13). 30-day single entry (26N/26M): OMR 20 (~₹4,300 / ~$52). 1-year multi-entry (36M, 30 days per visit): OMR 50 (~₹10,800 / ~$130). Fees are non-refundable. | Usually 1–3 working days; can be faster |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | eVisa — apply online before travel | 2-week single-entry visit eVisa: around BHD 9 (~₹2,000 / ~$24). Service fees may apply. Visa on arrival (eligible category): from BHD 5. | eVisa: usually 3–5 working days. Visa on arrival: issued immediately at Bahrain International Airport |
| 🇯🇴 Jordan | eVisa — apply online before travel | Single-entry eVisa: JOD 40 (~₹4,800 / ~$56). Double-entry: JOD 60. Multiple-entry: JOD 120. Jordan Pass (which waives the visa fee for stays of 3+ nights) is NOT available for Indian passport holders. | Typically 1–3 working days |
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait | eVisa — limited eligibility, often via sponsor | eVisa fee around KWD 3 (~₹860 / ~$10) where eligible. In practice most Indian tourists apply through a sponsor or relative in Kuwait, which adds service/sponsorship fees. No visa on arrival for ordinary Indian passport holders. | Around 1–3 working days where eligible; sponsor-based applications can take longer |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
Following the 2024 Hajj overcrowding tragedy, Saudi Arabia restricted Indian access to the standard tourist eVisa. Umrah pilgrims from India must book accommodation and transport via the Nusuk app before the visa is issued. Beware of fake agents offering 'direct' eVisas. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/plan-your-trip/visa-regulations
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Sticker visa via VFS — eVisa / VOA only with US, UK or Schengen visa. Following the 2024 Hajj overcrowding tragedy, Saudi Arabia restricted Indian access to the standard tourist eVisa. Umrah pilgrims from India must book accommodation and transport via the Nusuk app before the visa is issued. Beware of fake agents offering 'direct' eVisas.
What documents do Indians need for a Saudi Arabia visa?
Indian passport valid at least 6 months; Recent passport-size photo on white background; Confirmed hotel booking in Saudi Arabia; Confirmed return / onward flight ticket; Bank statement / proof of funds; Mandatory medical insurance (sold with the visa); For eVisa / VOA route: copy of valid USED US, UK or Schengen visa or EU/UK/US permanent residence
How long does a Saudi Arabia visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Sticker visa via VFS: typically 5–10 working days. eVisa (eligible holders): 24–48 hours. Visa on arrival (eligible holders): issued at the airport.. Government fee: Sticker tourist visa via VFS: approximately SAR 480 total including visa fee + mandatory medical insurance + VAT (~₹10,500 / ~$128). eVisa (only if holding US/UK/Schengen visa): similar ~SAR 480 total. Plus VFS service charges. Umrah package costs are separate.. Maximum stay: Tourist visa: multi-entry, valid 1 year, up to 90 days per visit. Umrah visa: 30 days from issuance, up to 90 days stay after entry..
How do Indians apply for a Saudi Arabia visa?
Ordinary Indian passport holders are NOT on the eVisa-eligible list — apply for the tourist sticker visa via VFS Global in India. Indians holding a USED US, UK or Schengen tourist/business visa can apply for the standard eVisa online or get a visa on arrival when flying with Saudia / Flynas / Flyadeal. Umrah/Hajj pilgrims apply via a Saudi-authorised travel agent using the Nusuk app. Official source: https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/plan-your-trip/visa-regulations
Is a Saudi Arabia visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 45/100 this is a moderate-effort application for Indians — start early and follow the document checklist exactly. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a Saudi Arabia visa online or on arrival?
Saudi Arabia requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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