Country : Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
Population : 7,231,000 (2021 estimate) 
Area : 1,973 square km 
Currency : Saudi Riyal (SR) (SAR) 
Land : 100 % 
Elevation : 599 M 
Water : 0 % 
Time Zone : UTC+03:00 (AST) 
Map Referred : Riyadh
Driving : Right Home / Destinations / Riyadh Guide / Passport & Visa in Riyadh
All travellers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months before the date of departure from the country to be able to enter Riyadh.
Below is a list of countries that are exempted from the need of having a visa for entering Riyadh. Citizens and residents of the following countries can come to Riyadh by producing their local Emirates ID proof. The list is as follows:
This visa exemption policy also applies to the holders of diplomatic and official passports from FRANCE.
2019 marked the year the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia started offering visas to tourists online. Holders of passports from the below-mentioned 51 jurisdictions can either apply for an e-visa online before their arrival to the country. Or Obtain one on arrival to the country for a certain fee amount. This visa is valid for a period of 90 days from the date of issue in the city of Riyadh. The jurisdictions in conversation are:
In early 2020 it was announced that any passport holder from the US, UK or the Schengen area in possession of a valid Schengen visa is eligible to travel to Riyadh. And the visa has been used at least once to enter the respective country or area prior to their visit to Riyadh. The eligibility also depends on the fact that the traveller needs to book their flights through airlines based in KSA. These airlines are Flyadeal, Flynas, Saudia and SaudiGulf Airlines.
Since the introduction of the e-visa program back in 2019, the Saudi Government has made claims of not denying entry to any traveller with an Israeli entry/exit stamp. However, the Saudi government does not allow Israeli passport holders to enter the country. As they do not recognize Israel as a sovereign nation.
This is a special category of visa made for the pilgrims willing to visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj. Applications are expected to come through licensed travel agents. And are accepted only between Mid-Shawwal and the 25th Dhual-Qaâdah. Furthermore, Muslim female passengers arriving for Umrah must be accompanied by an immediate male family member until their departure.
