Saudi Arabia Visa for Indians 2026: Requirements, Fees, Documents & Application Process

BTW Visas provides end-to-end application assistance for three Saudi Arabia visa categories for Indian citizens:
• Tourist Visa (e-visa) — leisure travel, sightseeing, and visiting friends or family in Saudi Arabia.
• Business Visa — meetings, conferences, negotiations and trade visits on a Saudi company’s invitation.
• Family Visit Visa — for Indian residents of Saudi Arabia inviting close relatives.
Work / employment visas are filed by the Saudi employer, and Visa on Arrival and transit visas are issued directly

at the airport or by the airline. These are explained below for reference, but BTW Visas does not process them.

A Saudi Arabia visa is an official permit issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs that grants Indian citizens legal entry into the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has transformed since 2019: the tourist e-visa launched in September 2019 opened the country to independent travellers for the first time in modern history, as part of the Vision 2030 strategy.

The reality in 2026 is simpler and more welcoming than most people expect. Women can travel independently without a male guardian, the abaya is no longer mandatory for female tourists (modest dress suffices), and the e-visa process takes minutes from a phone

This guide covers the Saudi visa types most relevant to Indian passport holders, with India-specific advice on fees, documents and processes. We have helped hundreds of Indian tourists, professionals and families navigate Saudi visa applications, and this guide reflects that real-world experience.

Do Indians Need a Visa for Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Indian citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to Saudi Arabia for any purpose — India has no visa-exemption agreement with Saudi Arabia. Convenient pathways exist: the e-visa, Visa on Arrival for eligible travellers, and traditional processing through VFS Tasheer.

Tourist E-visa — Most Common for Indians

• Tourism: Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, NEOM, The Red Sea Project, Edge of the World, Diriyah.
• Visiting friends & family: see relatives or friends residing in Saudi Arabia.
• Transit & stopovers: extended layovers exploring Saudi cities.

Duration: up to 90 days per visit. Validity: 1 year from issue, multiple entries. Processing: instant in most cases, 5–30 minutes online. Fee: SAR 535 (approx 11,770) including medical insurance and VAT. Processed entirely online through the official KSA Visa portal (visa.visitsaudi.com) — no embassy visit, no passport submission. The approved visa is emailed and linked to your passport number.

Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Indians holding a valid US, UK or Schengen visa (tourist or business, used at least once) can obtain a Saudi tourist visa on arrival at any international Saudi airport.
• Duration: up to 90 days per visit. Validity: 1 year multiple entry.
• Fee: SAR 480 (approx n10,560) including medical insurance. Processing: 2–5 minutes at the kiosk.
• Conditions: passport valid 6+ months; return or onward ticket; the foreign visa must be valid and not a transit or crew visa.

Business Visa

• Application: Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs online portal or VFS Tasheer.
• Sponsorship: a Saudi company must issue an invitation / business authorisation.
• Duration: 30–90 days per visit. Validity: single or multiple entry, up to 1 year.
• Fee: SAR 1,000 (single entry) to SAR 1,500 (multiple entry) — approx n22,000–33,000.
• Documents: invitation letter, Saudi company registration copy, NOC from your Indian employer.

Family Visit Visa

• Eligibility: the sponsor must hold a valid Iqama (Saudi residence permit).
• Duration: 30–90 days per visit. Validity: single or multiple entry, up to 6 months–2 years.
• Fee: SAR 500–1,000 (approx n11,000–22,000) plus medical insurance. Processing: 1–3 weeks.
• Documents: sponsor’s Iqama copy, attested marriage certificate (spouse), attested birth certificates (children),relationship proof.

Employment / Work Visa

Saudi Arabia is the top destination for Indian migrant workers. The employment visa is employer-sponsored and filed by the Saudi employer directly through the Qiwa platform and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — it is notsomething BTW Visas arranges.

• Eligibility: a job offer from a Saudi employer approved by the Ministry of Human Resources (MHRSD).
• Documents: valid passport, medical report from an approved Indian centre, attested educational certificates(MEA + Saudi Embassy), police clearance certificate.
• Fee: SAR 2,000–3,000 (approx n44,000–66,000), typically paid by the employer. Processing: 2–4 weeks.
• Validity: 1–2 years, renewable, tied to the employment contract. An Iqama is issued after arrival and medicalscreening.

Transit Visa

• Airside transit: connections under 12 hours where you stay in the airport.
• Transit visa (96 hours): stopovers up to 96 hours with airport exit permitted.
• Application: through Saudi airlines (Saudia, flynas, flyadeal) or online via KSA Visa. Fee: SAR 300 (approx Rs 6,600).

VFS service charges (work / family / business  applicants)

All visa fees are non-refundable regardless of the application outcome. Tourist e-visa and Visa on Arrival fees include mandatory medical insurance valid in Saudi Arabia.

Core documents (all visa types)

• Valid passport — at least 6 months’ validity beyond the intended stay, minimum 2 blank pages.
• Visa application form — online via the KSA Visa portal or the MOFA portal.
• Two passport-size photos — 4×6 cm (Saudi-specific), white background, no glasses.
• Medical insurance — included in the tourist e-visa / VOA fee; purchased separately for work / family / business visas.
• Return / onward flight ticket and proof of accommodation.
• Proof of financial means — bank statements (last 3–6 months), salary slips (for work / business visas).

Visa-specific documents

Documents for the tourist e-visa (simplified)

Only a valid passport with 6+ months’ validity, a digital photograph, personal and travel details, and a credit/debit card for the fee. No bank statements, flight bookings or hotel reservations are required for the application itself — one of the easiest visas in the world for Indian citizens to obtain

Tourist e-visa (simplest — about 5 minutes online)

1. Visit the KSA Visa portal at visa.visitsaudi.com.
2. Select India as nationality, choose Tourist Visa, accept the terms.
3. Enter personal and passport details exactly as on the passport; upload the 4×6 cm photo.
4. Pay SAR 535 by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard or AMEX); insurance is included.
5. Receive the e-visa by email within 2–30 minutes; save the PDF on your phone.

Visa on Arrival (at Saudi airports)

1. Before travel, confirm you hold a valid US / UK / Schengen tourist or business visa.
2. Fly to any Saudi international airport (Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam).
3. At the VOA kiosk after immigration, enter passport details and pay SAR 480 by card.
4. Clear immigration with the new visa — valid 1 year, multiple entry, 90 days per visit.

Business visa

1. Obtain an invitation / business authorisation letter from the sponsoring Saudi company.
2. Apply online via the Saudi MOFA portal, or book a VFS Tasheer appointment.
3. Submit passport, invitation letter, company registration copy and NOC from your Indian employer.
4. Pay the visa fee (SAR 1,000 single / SAR 1,500 multiple) plus the VFS service charge.
5. Collect the passport with the visa sticker or opt for courier return. Typical time: 3–7 working days

Family Visit visa

1. The sponsor (Indian resident in Saudi Arabia with a valid Iqama) applies through the MOFA “Visit Visa” serviceor the Absher / Muqeem platform.
2. Attach the sponsor’s Iqama copy, attested marriage certificate (spouse) or birth certificates (children), and relationship proof. 
3. Once approved in Saudi Arabia, the applicant in India books a VFS Tasheer appointment for stamping.
4. Submit passport, photos and the approval notice; pay the fee (SAR 500–1,000) plus insurance and VFS charge.
5. Typical time: 1–3 weeks

Work visa (employer-sponsored)

1. Your Saudi employer issues a job offer and initiates the process through MHRSD and MOFA.
2. Attest educational certificates in India: Notary fi MEA (Patiala House, New Delhi) fi Saudi Embassy.
3. Complete the medical examination at an MOH-approved Indian centre (valid 6 months).
4. Obtain a police clearance certificate and get it attested by MEA.
5. MOFA issues an e-visa with a reference number once employer-side processing is complete.
6. Book a VFS Tasheer appointment, submit the passport for stamping, and pay the service charge.
7. Collect the passport with the visa sticker or choose courier delivery.

For work, business and family visit applications that require physical submission. Tourist e-visa and Visa on Arrival do not require any VFS visit.

The Saudi tourist e-visa does not require proof of funds at the application stage, but immigration officers may ask about financial capacity on arrival. Practical guidance:

Bank statements must be in English. For work-visa salary verification, statements must clearly show salary credits matching the employment contract. Avoid large unexplained cash deposits in the three months before applying.

Tourist e-visa

1. Apply at least 24 hours before travel; ensure the name on the application matches the passport exactly.
2. Use a Saudi-specific 4×6 cm photo with white background — standard passport photos are rejected.
3. Save a PDF copy of the visa on your phone; a printout is a safe backup.
4. The e-visa is valid for 1 year from the date of issue, not from first entry — apply close to travel.

Business & family visit

1. Business: confirm the Saudi inviting company’s commercial registration is active; the invitation letter must match your passport details.
2. Family visit: the sponsor’s Iqama must be valid well beyond the intended visit; attested relationship documents are the most common failure point.

Work visa

• Start document attestation at least 6 weeks before travel.
• Get the medical examination at an approved centre only — tests from non-approved clinics are rejected.
• Never travel on a visit visa and try to switch to a work visa — it is not allowed and leads to deportation.
• Register on Absher as soon as your Iqama is issued.

For tourist e-visa holders (short stay)

No registration is required. However:

• Download Tawakkalna — the official app for accessing malls, government buildings and some restaurants. Register with your passport and visa details.
• SIM card — buy a prepaid tourist SIM at the airport (STC, Mobily, Zain); passport and visa required, Aadhaar not accepted.
• Transport — Uber and Careem operate in all cities; the Riyadh Metro (opened 2024) covers major districts; intercity rail links Jeddah, Riyadh and other cities.
• Cash and cards — Saudi Arabia is largely cashless; Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; carry some SAR for small shops and taxis.
• Dress code — women: modest dress, abaya not mandatory, a scarf is useful for mosques; men: long trousers in public.

For work visa holders (long stay)

• Iqama — your employer must process the residence ID within 90 days of arrival (medical screening +biometrics at the Ministry of Interior).
• Absher — register at absher.sa with your Iqama number immediately after it is issued.
• Bank account — open with Al Rajhi, SNB, Riyad Bank or SABB using your Iqama, passport and employer letter.
• Driving licence — a valid Indian licence can be converted without a driving test (fee SAR 200–400, eye test required).
• Health insurance — your employer is legally required to provide it; family members on your sponsorship are also covered.