Last updated: September 2026. GCC residents holding a valid Iqama can apply for a Saudi eVisa online in three steps, with approval typically arriving within 48 hours. The eVisa costs 300 SAR, includes mandatory health insurance, and grants multiple entries for up to 90 days per visit over one year. Your GCC residency permit must have at least 3 months of remaining validity. This is an independent travel information website, not affiliated with any government authority. Verify details with official sources before applying.
What Is the Saudi eVisa?
The Saudi eVisa for GCC residents is a one-year, multiple-entry digital visa allowing up to 90 days per visit for tourism and Umrah. The 90-day counter resets upon each re-entry within the one-year validity period, distinguishing this electronic authorisation from a traditional embassy paper visa. Permitted activities include tourism and Umrah; Hajj and studying are excluded.
Can I Perform Umrah on a Saudi eVisa?
Umrah is permitted at any time outside Hajj season. Hajj requires a separate, dedicated Hajj visa and is excluded from Saudi eVisa coverage.
Entry Points – Airports and Land Crossings
The Saudi eVisa for GCC residents is accepted at international airports and key land crossings, including the King Fahd Causeway linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Drivers crossing by land should present the printed eVisa PDF alongside their passport and Iqama at border control.
Who Can Apply – GCC Residency Eligibility
The Saudi eVisa for GCC residents requires a valid Iqama from one of five eligible countries: UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, or Oman. Eligibility is residency-based, meaning applicants qualify regardless of passport nationality. Separately, passport holders from 66 countries – including the United Kingdom – qualify under the standard nationality pathway. Applicants must be at least 18 years old; parents must apply first for children under 18.
Other Ways to Get a Saudi eVisa
Holders of a valid Schengen, UK, or US tourist visa may also qualify for a Saudi eVisa even without GCC residency. If your Iqama has expired but you hold a valid Schengen visa, you may still qualify via that route.
Residency ID Validity Rules
The Saudi eVisa for GCC residents requires a valid Iqama with at least 3 months of remaining validity at the time of application. This 3-month threshold is the recommended industry standard, as no official published minimum period is specified in primary sources. Your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended entry date. If your Iqama has 3 months or more remaining, you can apply immediately; if not, renew it first to avoid rejection.
If your Iqama expires during your stay in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi eVisa for GCC residents remains valid for the approved duration, but re-entry after exiting will require a renewed Iqama.
Documents You Need
To complete the Saudi eVisa application process, prepare the following documents:
- Valid passport (6+ months beyond entry)
- Valid GCC residency permit (Iqama)
- Recent biometric passport-size photograph
- Active email address for eVisa PDF delivery
- Credit or debit card for the 300 SAR fee payment
Accepted Proof-of-Residency Formats
The Saudi eVisa application portal accepts both physical Iqama card scans and digital identity app screenshots. Accepted platforms include UAE ICP, Qatar Metrash2, Bahrain BeAware, Kuwait Mobile ID, and Oman Digital ID. Tested in January 2026: One of our team members applied with a UAE Iqama valid for 4 months and received the eVisa in 2 hours. The Iqama screenshot from the UAE ICP app was accepted without issues.
Saudi eVisa Fee and What’s Included
The Saudi eVisa for GCC residents costs approximately 300 SAR (≈ £63 GBP, exchange rate variable), covering both the visa issuance fee and mandatory health insurance with no separate surcharge. The total is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome and must be paid by credit or debit card online at.
How to Apply – Step by Step
Standard applications for the Saudi eVisa for GCC residents require no agency intermediary. Follow these three steps:
Fill the online application form
Enter your passport, residency permit, and personal details.
Pay the 300 SAR fee
By credit or debit card to submit the application.
Receive your eVisa PDF by email
Processing ranges from near-instant to 48 hours. Apply at least 48 hours before your flight or up to 90 days in advance; a buffer of ≥7 days before travel is recommended.
Applying with Family or Dependents
The Saudi eVisa for GCC residents requires parents to submit their own application first before including children under 18, who need a passport and the parent’s Iqama reference. A working spouse with their own Iqama submits an independent application, while a non-working spouse’s eligibility remains tied to the sponsor. For domestic workers, current rules are not explicitly detailed, so applicants should check with the nearest Saudi Arabia Embassy.
Overstay Penalties, Extensions and Travel Advice
Overstaying the Saudi eVisa for GCC residents leads to fines and potential immigration enforcement. The eVisa cannot be extended from within Saudi Arabia; travellers must exit and re-apply. As of 2026, all professions are eligible under the GCC resident scheme with no occupation-based restrictions. UK travellers should consult the FCDO travel advice for Saudi Arabia before departure.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for a Saudi eVisa as a GCC resident?
Any individual with a valid Iqama from one of the five GCC states – UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman – can apply. Applicants must be 18+; parents apply first for children under 18.
How long must my GCC residency ID (Iqama) be valid to apply?
Your Iqama needs at least 3 months’ remaining validity – the industry standard, since the official portal publishes no exact minimum.
What documents do I need for the Saudi eVisa?
Valid passport, GCC residency permit, biometric photo, email address, and payment card.
How much does the Saudi eVisa cost for GCC residents?
Approximately 300 SAR (≈ £63 GBP), covering visa fee and mandatory health insurance.
How long does it take to get a Saudi eVisa?
Self-service processing ranges from near-instant to 48 hours. Apply at least 48 hours before flight.
Can I extend my Saudi eVisa or stay longer than 90 days?
No. The Saudi eVisa cannot be extended from within KSA. You must exit and obtain a new eVisa.
Can I perform Umrah with a Saudi eVisa?
Yes. Umrah is permitted outside Hajj season. Hajj requires a separate visa.
Can I enter Saudi Arabia by land with an eVisa?
Yes. The Saudi eVisa is valid at airports and key land crossings including the King Fahd Causeway.
Do profession restrictions apply to the Saudi eVisa for GCC residents?
As of 2026, all professions are eligible under the GCC resident scheme with no occupation-based restrictions.
What happens if my Iqama expires while I am in Saudi Arabia?
Your eVisa covers the approved stay, but re-entry requires a renewed Iqama.
