Passport Atlas

Entering Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia playbook updated 2026-09. Openness first, then how to apply and how to stay.

Openness rank

#146

Entry openness

74

Visa free

5

Visa required

17

Get an email when entry rules for Saudi Arabia change

One confirmation email, then only when the data actually changes.

No account needed. Unsubscribe with one click.

Country profile

Capital

Riyadh

Population

35.3 million

Area

1,960,582 km²

Currency

Saudi riyal SAR

Languages

Arabic

Time zone

UTC+03:00

Foreign-born

13.7 million · 2024

Migrant share

40.3%

Ethnic groups

Arab90%
Afro-Asian10%

Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.

Travel notes

Plug

—

Mains

120 V · 60 Hz

Driving

Right

Emergency

Police 999 · Ambulance 997

Dialing code

+966

Airports

JED · RUH · DMM · MED

Highlights

Hegra
Masjid al-Haram
Diriyah
Red Sea Project

Saudi Arabia Passport Visa site Immigration site

How to get a visa

Visit Saudi eVisa
Visit / tourism · One-year multiple entry, often 90 days per stay
- Apply on Visit Saudi; it is tied to the passport chip.

Immigration routes

Work residence Iqama
Employer sponsor
The employer sponsors via Qiwa and issues an Iqama.
Leads to PR：Premium Residency is a separate investment/skill track.

PR & citizenship

Premium Residency

Time to PR：Time-limited or permanent, by fee tier

Means, clean record, health insurance.

Naturalisation is rare.

Open interactive atlas