Saudi Arabia Visa for Indians

A Saudi Arabian visa is a legally-backed document that authorises foreign nationals and residents of other countries to enter Saudi Arabia. A visa allows not only hassle-free entry into a country but free movement and no restrictions on travel and stays for a pre-specified number of days. A visa is compulsory for everyone, including those Indian nationals travelling to Saudi Arabia for any purpose.

The most common reasons for visiting Saudi Arabia are Hajj (holy pilgrimage of Muslims), Umrah (another holy visit), family visits, tourism, employment, and business, among others. Even those transiting from the international transit areas of the Saudi airport and staying for over 12 hours need a transit visa. You can check out the official Saudi Arabian website MOFA to understand the Saudi Arabia visa types for Indians and other details.

Apart from a visa, you must also consider buying an active travel insurance policy. Overseas travel insurance is not a mandatory document but is wise to have with you for the entire duration of your trip. If you need an idea of how much travel insurance plans for Saudi Arabia cost, you can use our travel insurance calculator online and select a suitable travel insurance plan for yourself, with premiums starting at prices as low as ₹25.6 per day.

Yes, a Saudi Arabia visa for Indians is mandatory for entry into the Kingdom, regardless of the purpose of travel. Whether you are visiting for work, tourism, business, or pilgrimage, securing a valid Saudi visa is essential.

To obtain your visa on time, you must provide the necessary documents required for a Saudi Arabia visa from India, which are listed in this section.

Indian citizens are not eligible to apply for a Saudi Arabia tourist e‑Visa directly. Indian nationals must apply for a regular visit visa for Saudi Arabia from India through the Saudi embassy or consulate.

However, if they hold a valid and used US, UK, or Schengen visa, they may be eligible for a visa-on-arrival, not an e‑Visa. They are also eligible if they hold a GCC residency permit with a validity of at least three months from the date of entry.

Indian passport holders are not automatically eligible for a Saudi visa upon arrival in the country. However, if they hold a valid and used US, UK, or Schengen visa, they may be eligible for a visa-on-arrival. Indian passport holders need to apply for a Saudi Arabia tourist visa for Indians beforehand.

However, if you hold a passport from the United Kingdom or the USA and a Schengen visa, then you can get a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia.

• Visit the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website and create an account for visa applications.
• Select the visa you want to apply for from the list of visa types on the portal.
• Complete the online application form, pay the applicable visa fee, then download and print the completed form.
• Attach supporting documents (such as passport, photos, insurance, medical fitness certificate, and accommodation proof) to the printed application.
• Submit the application in person at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate in Mumbai. You may also apply through official partners, such as VFS Global.

A Saudi visa allows you to enter the country more conveniently and eases movement across the cities within. The Saudi visa for Indian Citizens is available for all types of tourists and travellers and has the following features:

• Saudi Arabia tourist visa for Indians, and Saudi visit visa for Indians are the most popular visa categories because of the massive influx to Mecca and Madina – two of Saudi’s most popular cities.
• As an Indian tourist or transit passenger, you can avail of a Saudi tourist visa for Indians or a transit visa as applicable.
• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) also has a visa-on-arrival facility. Unfortunately, India is not included in the list of 50 countries that the KSA allows using this facility, so there is no Saudi visa on arrival for Indians.
• The KSA has over 15+ Saudi Arabia visa types for Indians
• An active travel insurance plan is not mandatory in Saudi Arabia but is highly advisable

The eligibility criteria for Saudi Arabia visa for Indians depend on the type of visa chosen. Here is a general idea of the applicable eligibility criteria:

• You must have a valid Indian passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of entering Saudi Arabia.
• You should be above 18 years
• You must have a spouse/ companion if you are a solo woman traveller
• If you are under the age of 18 years, you have to be accompanied by a guardian
• You must have health insurance which will be valid in Saudi Arabia.
• You must have proof of stay or accommodation.
• You must have the right set of documents depending on your visa and specify your intent correctly in the cover letter.
• You must have a clear invitation letter from your business or employment office. You must also show the company registration proof.
• You must have a recommendation letter from the Chamber of Commerce/ Indian Merchant Chamber of Commerce in India.
• Your photographs must be per the requirements of the KSA – like your photo on a white background, neutral face, no headgear (except for religious reasons), no glasses covering the eyes except prescription eyewear, and so on.

Here are the list of documents required to apply for Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa for Indians:

• A valid passport of India with at least six months left to expiry and two blank pages.
• The appropriate visa application form is duly filled with the correct details.
• 2 passport-sized photographs as per the set requirements.
• A cover letter stating the intent of purpose.
• Bank account and income statement proof to show that you can sustain yourself/ family members on the trip.
• Company registration proof, invitation letter from the sponsor, and recommendation letter if it is a business or employment-related visit.
• Medical certificate approved and certified by an embassy-approved doctor/ medical professional.
• Health insurance documents, issued through the embassy itself.
• Education and work experience-related documents of the past two years to show proof of income.
• Confirmed airline tickets and receipt of stay (this is variable).
• Marriage certificates for married couple travellers and birth certificates for their children.
• Receipt of visa fee and processing fee.
• Any other documents specified by the Saudi embassy or your agent.

Applicants applying for a Saudi Arabia visa for Indians need to pay the visa application fees. Below is the table for Saudi Arabia visa fees for Indians based on visa categories:

Please note: The Saudi visit visa fees for Indian nationals may vary depending on the situation. It is best to check the official website.

Travelling to Saudi Arabia offers Indian nationals opportunities for tourism, business, work, and religious journeys. Securing the right visa is only the first step to ensure a safe and smooth trip. Equally important is protecting your journey with a reliable Saudi Arabia travel insurance plan that manages unexpected medical or travel-related expenses.

At TATA AIG, we understand the importance of safety and security during international travel. That is why we provide comprehensive travel health insurance designed to meet different needs.
Our policies include coverage for medical emergencies, hospitalisation, and unexpected healthcare costs abroad. You can easily buy travel insurance from us at affordable rates with round-the-clock assistance and quick online coverage in clicks.

While planning your trip, buy travel insurance online for Saudi Arabia from TATA AIG today and travel worry-free.