Cooperation Council (GCC) countries such as the UAE. The Kingdom has introduced a more streamlined visa process, making it easier than ever to travel for leisure, business, or personal reasons.Under the new system, eligible residents can now apply online for a one-year, multiple-entry electronic visa (eVisa) through Saudi Arabia’s official unified visa platform. This convenient visa allows multiple visits within a twelve-month period and covers a wide range of purposes, including tourism, business trips, visiting friends and family, and performing Umrah (outside the Hajj season).Whether you’re planning a cultural getaway, a professional visit, or a spiritual journey, this guide walks you through everything you need to know, from the types of visas available and eligibility criteria to the step-by-step application process. While the required documents and examples focus on UAE residents, the same application process applies to expatriates living across all GCC countries.
Visa types, validity, and duration of stay
Saudi Arabia currently offers two types of eVisas for GCC residents:
- Single-entry eVisa
- Valid for 90 days
- Allows one-time entry and stay of up to 90 days
Multiple-entry eVisa
- Valid for one year
- Allows multiple entries during the year
- Maximum duration per stay: 90 days
These visas are issued through Saudi Arabia’s Unified National Visa Platform, accessible at ksavisa.sa.The eVisa is ideal for a variety of travel purposes:
- Tourism and sightseeing
- Visiting friends and relatives
- Performing Umrah (note: not valid during Hajj season)
- Business visits
Eligibility and Required Documents for UAE Residents
Who is eligible?To apply for the Saudi eVisa as a UAE resident, you must meet the following conditions:
- Hold a valid
UAE residency visa with at least three months of validity remaining - Hold a passport valid for at least six months
- Be at least 18 years old if traveling independently. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
Documents you will need:
- Passport copy (clear scan of the main ID page)
- UAE residence visa copy (you may upload a digital copy)
- Passport-sized photograph with a white background
Photo specifications:
- Dimensions: 35 x 45 mm
- Plain white background, clear image
- Face the camera directly, with a neutral expression (no smiling)
- Mouth must be closed, eyes open
- Proper lighting with no shadows on the face or background
- Format: PNG or JPEG
- Max file size: 5MB
How to apply for the Saudi eVisa – Full step-by-step process
Step 1: Start at the Unified Visa Platform
- Go to ksavisa.sa
- Click on the “Visit” category on the homepage
- From the dropdowns, select the following:
- Purpose of visit: Choose “Tourism”
- Nationality: Select your nationality
- Under “Do you have a valid residence in GCC?” select “Yes (valid for more than 3 months)”
- Click on “Show Eligible Visas”
- Choose “Electronic Visa (eVisa)”, then click “Apply Now”
Step 2: Enter Travel and Visa Details
- Nationality and GCC residency will be pre-filled
- Choose visa type: single-entry or multiple-entry
- Select:
- Expected date of arrival in Saudi Arabia
- Country of residence (UAE)
- Nearest embassy (Abu Dhabi or Dubai)
- Optional: Enter transport mode and port of entry
- Click Next
Step 3: Fill in Personal InformationYou’ll be asked to provide:
- Full name (exactly as shown in your passport)
- Mobile number
- Residential address in the UAE
- Gender and marital status
- Optional: Your occupation (if unemployed, you may select “I do not work at the moment”)
- Mandatory: Job title (leave blank only if marked as not working)
- Date of birth
- Optional: Purpose of visit (Umrah, tourism, visiting relatives)
Then, upload your passport-sized photo according to the specifications mentioned earlier.Step 4: Upload Passport Details
- Upload a clear scan of your passport copy
- Enter:
- Passport number
- Passport type
- Country of issuance
- Place of birth
- Issue date and expiry date
- Click Next
Step 5: Upload UAE Residency Visa Details
- Upload your UAE residency visa copy
- Enter:
- UAE visa number
- Visa expiry date
- Emirate of residence
- Full residential address
Step 6: Agree to Terms and Review Application
- Read and accept the terms and conditions
- Carefully review all the details you’ve entered
- Click Next to proceed
Step 7: Select Medical Insurance
- You will need to answer a few health-related questions
- Then, you’ll be shown a list of approved Saudi insurance providers
- Choose one; the insurance cost will be added to your total payment
Step 8: Make Payment
- Review the total charges (visa fee + application fee + insurance)
- Click “Pay Now”
- Pay using a credit or debit card
- Once payment is successful, you will receive a transaction number to track your application
Visa fees, medical insurance, and processing time
Cost Breakdown:
- Visa fee: $81 (Approx. Dh297.48)
- Application fee: $10.50 (Approx. Dh38.50)
Medical Insurance Fee:This varies depending on the provider you choose. It typically ranges from:
- $7.50 (Dh27.54) to $252.04 (Dh925.65)
The insurance is mandatory and must be purchased as part of the application process.How long does it take to receive the eVisa?
- In most cases, the eVisa is issued instantly for GCC residents
- However, it can take up to 3 working days
- Once approved, the visa will be sent to your registered email address
How to track your application
After submitting your application, you can track its progress on the same website:
- Visit: ksavisa.sa
- Click on “Track Application”
- Enter your transaction number or passport number
If you have any questions about the status of your application, you can also contact the ksavisa.sa call centre – +966 920011114
