Stopover (Transit) Visa — Saudi Arabia
- Max stay
- 4days
- Processing
- 1–7days
- Fee
- $300.00
Difficulty7/10·Realism9/10Why? ▾
Difficulty
Moderate paperworkSome paperwork and processing time. Start a few weeks ahead.
Why this score?
- —Online e-Visa — no embassy appointment
- +0.5Mid-strength baseline — e-Visa eligibility on tourism
- -0.25Onward / return ticket required
- -0.5Moderate documentation list (6 items)
Approval realism
Approval is likelyMost applicants with the right paperwork get approved.
What drives this score?
- —e-Visa applications are commonly approved when documentation is complete
- +0.5e-Visa-eligible baseline — moderate approval-rate boost
Step-by-step checklist
Your application checklist
- 1
Check your passport validity
41+ days beforeMost countries require 6+ months of validity beyond your travel dates and at least one blank page. If it's close, renew before applying.
- 2
Gather supporting documents
25+ days beforeYou'll need: 96-hour Stopover Visa — free with a Saudia or flyadeal connecting ticket through Jeddah / Riyadh / Dammam / Medina; Permitted: tourism activities, Umrah (with separate Umrah authorisation), business meetings; Visit Saudi Arabia (general tourism eVisa) is also available for ~65 nationalities at visa.visitsaudi.com — covers transit + tourism; Onward ticket out of Saudi Arabia within 96 hours required; and others (see full list above).
- 3
Book refundable flight + accommodation
18+ days beforeUse a refundable booking (or a free hold/itinerary service) until your visa is approved — embassies want to see real plans, but you don't want to lose the money on a refusal.
- 4
Submit the e-Visa application online
11+ days beforeApply directly at the official portal. Save the reference number — you'll need it for arrival.
- 5
Track the application; print the approval
7+ days beforeDecisions typically take 1–7 days. Print or save a clear PDF of the approved visa — airlines check this at check-in.
- 6
On the day of travel
day of travelCarry: passport (printed visa if applicable), onward ticket, proof of accommodation, proof of funds, travel insurance. Border officers retain discretion regardless of visa status.
Show full requirements, fees, and source
What you need
- 96-hour Stopover Visa — free with a Saudia or flyadeal connecting ticket through Jeddah / Riyadh / Dammam / Medina
- Permitted: tourism activities, Umrah (with separate Umrah authorisation), business meetings
- Visit Saudi Arabia (general tourism eVisa) is also available for ~65 nationalities at visa.visitsaudi.com — covers transit + tourism
- Onward ticket out of Saudi Arabia within 96 hours required
- Single-entry only; cannot extend within Saudi Arabia
- Pilgrim Visa (Hajj / Umrah) is separate — Stopover allows Umrah but not Hajj
Fee breakdown
- Transit visa fee$300.00