How to Get a Transit Visa for Saudi Arabia: Step-by-Step Guide

The Saudi Arabia transit visa (also called the Stopover Visa) lets you exit the airport and experience the country's culture, attractions, and cuisine for up to 4 days. This transit visa remains valid for three months from the date of issuance. You can use it at any Saudi airport when passing through the country to your final destination.

Saudi Arabia introduced this visa to diversify its economy and boost tourism. The results have been impressive - in 2022, Saudi Arabia achieved the highest number of tourist arrivals among all G20 countries.

If you're planning a trip with a layover in Saudi Arabia or want to understand your visa options, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting a transit visa for Saudi Arabia in 2025.

Similar to how travelers explore the UAE through a visit visa Dubai, Saudi Arabia now welcomes transit passengers to discover its cities during stopovers. This initiative encourages global tourists to experience Saudi culture even on short stays.

Understanding the Saudi Transit Visa in 2025

The Saudi transit visa represents a significant change in how the Kingdom welcomes international travelers. Here's what makes this visa special and how it fits into Saudi Arabia's broader plans.

Why Saudi Arabia Introduced the Transit Visa

The Kingdom launched the transit visa (officially called the Stopover Visa) to change how travelers experience Saudi Arabia during layovers. This initiative aims to reduce the country's dependence on oil revenue by developing its tourism sector.

The transit visa service was created through a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and national airlines including Saudia and Flynas. It allows air travelers to:

• Exit the airport during layovers
• Explore Saudi cities and attractions
• Perform Umrah at Makkah
• Visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah

This approach has already shown impressive results, with Saudia reporting over 9.3 million transit passengers in 2024 alone.

Are you planning to visit  Dubai or a short-term stopover, the process is designed to be simple, digital, and accessible for all travelers.

How it fits into Vision 2030

The transit visa serves as a key part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan. This visa helps position the Kingdom as a global hub connecting East and West.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that this digital service directly contributes to Saudi Vision 2030 objectives by:

• Using Saudi Arabia's strategic location between continents
• Making the country an attractive stopover destination
• Supporting the goal of reaching 100 million annual visits

The "Your Ticket Your Visa" digital integration system represents a first-of-its-kind innovation in the aviation industry. The Ministry links a transit visa to the flight ticket in approximately three minutes via the airline's booking platform.

Transit visa vs. eVisa vs. Hajj visa

Understanding the differences between Saudi visa types helps travelers choose the right option for their needs:

• Transit Visa: Valid for 96 hours (4 days) with a single entry and remains valid for three months after issuance. Perfect for layovers and cannot be extended. Costs approximately USD 14 when booked through Saudia or Flynas.
• Tourist eVisa: Offers more flexibility, longer stay duration, and additional services for travelers planning an extended visit to the Kingdom.
• Hajj Visa: Specifically for the annual Hajj pilgrimage and follows different application procedures and requirements.

The transit visa allows eligible travelers to perform Umrah during their stopover—making it particularly valuable for those wishing to visit holy sites without obtaining a separate religious visa.

Eligibility and Exemptions for the Saudi Transit Visa

Understanding who needs a Saudi Transit Visa can save you time and hassle during travel planning. The requirements vary based on your nationality, travel plans, and specific circumstances.

Who must Apply for a Transit Visa

You'll need to obtain a transit visa for Saudi Arabia if you plan to exit the airport during your layover. This requirement applies regardless of your nationality unless you fall under specific exemptions. A transit visa becomes necessary in these situations:

• Travelers who wish to leave the airport during layovers
• Passengers with self-transfer bookings who must collect and recheck luggage, clearing immigration
• Those with layovers longer than 12 hours who want to explore Saudi Arabia
• Tourists, Umrah visitors, and non-GCC nationals without other valid Saudi visas

Who is exempt from needing one

Several categories of passengers are exempt from Dubai Transit Visa requirements:

• GCC nationals (citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE) using only their ID
• Passengers who remain airside (outside passport and customs control)
• Travelers holding a valid multiple-entry Saudi visa (tourist or business)
• GCC residents (not just citizens) flying with Saudia Airlines or Flynas

Special cases: Umrah travelers and dual nationals

Many passengers use the transit visa for quick Umrah visits.

However, certain considerations apply for religious activities during your stopover:

• Non-Muslims cannot enter Makkah
• Access to Madinah's Prophet's Mosque requires Muslim visitors to follow local entry rules
• All Umrah travelers must book appointments in advance via Nusuk.sa (the official platform for religious visits)

We recommend verifying the most current requirements with your airline before finalizing travel plans, as transit visa regulations occasionally change.