Can You Enter Saudi Arabia With a US, UK or Schengen Visa?

The Saudi visa for US, UK and Schengen visa holders is a useful shortcut for travelers whose passports are not on the standard eVisa list. If you hold a valid visa from one of these destinations, you may be able to get a Saudi eVisa online or a visa on arrival, even if your own passport would normally need an embassy application. This guide explains the conditions, who qualifies, how it compares with other options, and the mistakes that cause refusals at check-in.

How the Saudi Visa for US, UK and Schengen Visa Holders Works

Saudi Arabia lets holders of certain visas from the United States, the United Kingdom and Schengen countries apply for its tourist eVisa or receive a visa on arrival, regardless of the nationality on their passport. The Ministry of Tourism widened this route so eligible people can apply online instead of waiting until they land. The eVisa is valid for one year, allows multiple entries and permits stays of up to 90 days. Read the Saudia tourist visa guidance for the airline's version of the rules.

Who Qualifies for the Saudi Visa for US, UK and Schengen Visa Holders?

You generally need to meet all of the following:

• Your US, UK or Schengen visa is valid on your Saudi travel date.
• The visa is a tourist or business visa.
• You have used it at least once to enter the issuing country or area, with an entry stamp.
• Your own passport has at least six months of validity from your arrival date.
• You are an adult, or a minor traveling with a guardian.

An expired visa, an unused visa or a visa in another category, such as student or work, may not qualify. If you are unsure whether your passport already has access, compare it with our list of Saudi eVisa eligible countries.

Permanent Residents and Green Card Holders

The route also covers permanent residents of the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union. A US green card holder does not need a separate US visa, because the residence status is the qualifying document. First-degree relatives traveling with an eligible visa holder or resident can qualify as well. Bring your residence document alongside your passport and check how the portal asks you to enter it.

eVisa or Visa on Arrival: Which Should You Choose?

The online route removes the risk of being turned away at check-in. Our guide to the Saudi visa on arrival explains queues, kiosks and payment. Some older guidance also limits the airport route to Saudi-based airlines, so confirm with your carrier before you rely on it.

How to Apply Online for the Saudi Visa for US, UK and Schengen Visa Holders

1. Open the Saudi eVisa Online and start a new application.
2. Enter your passport details and choose the option that matches your US, UK or Schengen visa or residence status.
3. Upload a clear passport-style photo and any requested proof of your other visa.
4. Pay the fee and the mandatory insurance.
5. Download the approved eVisa and carry a copy with your passport and the other visa.

Applications are often approved within minutes to a few hours, but apply at least a week before you fly. The complete checklist of Saudi eVisa requirements lists every detail worth checking.

Fees and Insurance

• Visa fee: SAR 300 (about US$81), the same as the standard eVisa fee. Source: Fragomen's summary of the Ministry of Tourism rule, July 2023.
• Insurance: mandatory health insurance is added to the total, plus VAT.

Fees change, so treat the live total at checkout as final. Our breakdown of the Saudi visa cost covers the other visa types.

Documents to Prepare

• Your passport, valid for at least six months from the date you enter Saudi Arabia
• The US, UK or Schengen visa, or your residence card or permit
• Proof that the visa was used, such as the entry stamp in your passport
• A recent photo with a plain background
• A payment card and an email address
• Accommodation details and your return or onward ticket

Keep digital and printed copies of everything, since airline staff may ask to see the qualifying visa before they let you board.

Traveling as a Family on This Route

First-degree relatives traveling with an eligible visa holder or resident can qualify too, which helps families with mixed passports. Children still need their own eVisa, linked to their own passport, and they should travel with a guardian. Apply for everyone in the same session where possible, and check each traveler's passport validity separately.

What Happens at the Airport

At departure, airline agents check that your visa or residence status meets the rules, so an unused or expired visa can stop you at the check-in desk. On arrival, immigration officers capture your biometric details and may ask about your trip. An approved eVisa does not guarantee entry, because the officer makes the final decision. Carry your hotel booking and return ticket, and answer questions calmly. If you are only passing through, the free stopover visa on Saudia or flynas may suit you better.

What the eVisa Lets You Do

The eVisa covers tourism, events, family visits and Umrah. It does not cover work, study or Hajj. Business meetings need a business visit visa with an invitation, so check our page on which Saudi visa do I need if your trip mixes leisure and work. UK passport holders should also read our guide to the Saudi ETA for UK citizens, since a UK passport may open a separate route.

Indian, Pakistani and Other Passports on This Route

This route matters most for passports that are not on the standard list, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Your eligibility depends on the visa in your passport, not your nationality. An Indian traveler with a valid, used US tourist or business visa can apply, while the same traveler without it normally applies through an embassy or an authorized center. Some nationalities have faced temporary restrictions, especially around Hajj season, so confirm the current position on the portal before you book non-refundable flights.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming a visa qualifies when it has never been used to enter the issuing country
• Traveling on an expired or soon-to-expire US, UK or Schengen visa
• Relying on visa on arrival without checking the airline's rules
• Uploading an unclear photo or mistyping passport data
• Forgetting to carry the other visa or residence card

Avoid these and your Saudi visa for US, UK and Schengen visa holders should be approved without drama.

Final Thoughts on the Saudi Visa for US, UK and Schengen Visa Holders

If you hold a valid US, UK or Schengen visa that you have already used, the route can turn a complicated application into a quick online one. Check the conditions, prefer the online eVisa over the airport option, and keep every document with you when you fly.

Ready to Apply?

Not sure your visa qualifies? Start your Saudi visa application now and confirm your route before you pay.