Visa Requirements for Saudi Citizens (2026)
Saudi passport travel guide
Saudi passport holders travel visa-free across the GCC and to China, Turkey, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Mexico, and the United Kingdom now requires only a £20 Electronic Travel Authorisation. The Schengen Area, United States, Canada, Australia and Japan still require full visa applications. The practical detail that catches Saudi applicants out is Schengen: Germany accepts applications only through TLScontact while most other member states use VFS Global, with both operating centres in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.
Schengen refusal rates for applications submitted in Saudi Arabia
Official European Commission figures, reference year 2025.
Applications submitted in Saudi Arabia were refused less often than the worldwide average in 2025 — 5.2% against 14.6%. Of 553,967 applications, 28,467 were turned down.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, reference year 2025, published 2026-05-28. “Refused” is the Commission’s not-issued rate, calculated on decided applications. Figures cover every application lodged at consulates in Saudi Arabia, whatever the applicant's nationality — the Commission does not publish a breakdown by passport. For most countries that is predominantly Saudi passport holders; where a country hosts a large resident foreign population, the figures reflect those residents too.
Popular Destinations for Saudi Travelers
United Arab Emirates
No visa needed for United Arab Emirates. Bring your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You can stay up to 90 days.
View United Arab Emirates visa detailsSingapore
No visa needed for Singapore. Bring your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You can stay up to 30 days.
View Singapore visa detailsThailand
No visa needed for Thailand. Bring your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You can stay up to 60 days.
View Thailand visa detailsUnited Kingdom
Apply for an electronic travel authorisation online before traveling to United Kingdom. Usually approved within 72 hours. Stay up to 180 days.
View United Kingdom visa detailsUnited States
Visa-Free Destinations
Saudi citizens can visit these countries without a visa.
United Arab Emirates
No visa needed for United Arab Emirates. Bring your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You can stay up to 90 days.
View United Arab Emirates visa detailsSingapore
No visa needed for Singapore. Bring your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You can stay up to 30 days.
View Singapore visa detailsThailand
No visa needed for Thailand. Bring your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You can stay up to 60 days.
View Thailand visa detailse-Visa Available
Apply for an electronic visa online before traveling.
United Kingdom
Apply for an electronic travel authorisation online before traveling to United Kingdom. Usually approved within 72 hours. Stay up to 180 days.
View United Kingdom visa detailsVisa Required
Apply for a visa before traveling to these destinations.
Travel Tips for Saudi Citizens
- Confirm whether your Schengen destination uses TLScontact or VFS Global before booking — Germany is TLScontact only, and both operate in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar
- The UK now needs only a £20 ETA for Saudi passport holders, approved in minutes — do not pay for a visitor visa you no longer need
- Travel insurance with at least €30,000 of medical cover is mandatory for every Schengen application and is checked at submission
- Saudi Arabia is not eTA-eligible for Canada, so budget for the full CAD 100 visitor visa, biometrics and four to eight weeks of processing
- Visa-free access to the UAE, China, Turkey, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand makes it straightforward to build documented travel history
- The German TLScontact centres operate Sunday to Thursday, matching the Saudi working week — plan around that rather than a Monday-to-Friday assumption
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Saudi citizens need a visa for the UK?
No. Saudi Arabia was added to the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme, so you apply online for a £20 ETA rather than a visitor visa. It is normally approved within minutes and covers stays of up to six months. The full visitor visa route is no longer needed for standard tourism and business trips.
Which centre handles Schengen visas in Saudi Arabia?
It depends on the destination country. Germany accepts applications only through TLScontact, with centres in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. Most other member states — including the Czech Republic, Greece and others — use VFS Global, also in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. The two are separate companies with separate appointment systems, so confirm which one your destination uses before searching for a slot.
Is the Schengen Area becoming visa-free for Saudi citizens?
Not at present. There has been discussion of a visa-facilitation or visa-free arrangement between the EU and Saudi Arabia, but no such agreement is in force. Saudi passport holders currently need a full Schengen visa, with the standard €90 fee and around 15 days of processing. Treat any claim that Schengen is already visa-free for Saudis as inaccurate.
Where can Saudi passport holders travel without a visa?
The UAE and other GCC states, China (30 days under mutual exemption), Turkey (90 days), South Korea (90 days), Malaysia (30 days), Singapore (30 days), Thailand (60 days at present; a cut to 30 is approved and pending Royal Gazette) and Mexico (180 days). The United Kingdom requires only the £20 ETA. The US, Canada, Australia, Schengen and Japan still require full visa applications.
Can Saudi citizens get a Canadian eTA?
No. Saudi Arabia is not on the eTA-eligible list, so a full visitor visa is required for Canada, with the CAD 100 fee, biometrics and processing of roughly four to eight weeks. Applications are submitted online through the IRCC portal, with biometrics collected at a visa application centre in Riyadh or Jeddah.
Do Saudi citizens need a visa for the United States?
Yes. Saudi Arabia is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, so a B1/B2 visitor visa with an in-person interview is required. Complete the DS-160, pay the $185 fee and schedule at the US Mission in Riyadh, the Consulate General in Jeddah, or the Consulate General in Dhahran. Wait times vary by post.
Prepare Your Application
Draft cover letters, plan your trip, and prepare invitation letters
View all tools