Quick answer
Indian passport holders are not on Saudi Arabia's standard eVisa list, so most apply for a tourist visit visa through a VFS Tasheer centre in India, with biometrics in person. If you hold a US, UK or Schengen visa that you have used at least once, or residence in the US, UK, EU or a GCC country, you can get an instant eVisa or a visa on arrival instead.
At a glance
- Visa type
- Tourist visit visa through VFS Tasheer (eVisa if you hold a used US, UK or Schengen visa)
- Stay allowed
- Up to 90 days per visit on the eVisa; sticker visas as printed
- Fee
- eVisa about SAR 340 plus insurance (roughly ₹10,000–12,000); Tasheer sticker visa roughly ₹12,000–18,000 with insurance and service charges
- Processing
- eVisa often within minutes to a day; Tasheer sticker visa about 5–10 working days
- Validity
- eVisa one year, multiple entry; sticker visa as printed
- Apply at
- Official portal
Documents checklist
- Passport valid for at least six months, with two blank pages
- Completed application and appointment confirmation from the Tasheer portal
- Recent photo on a white background to Tasheer's size rules
- Confirmed return air ticket and hotel bookings
- Bank statements for the last three to six months
- Employment letter or business registration, plus income tax returns
- For the eVisa route: your US, UK or Schengen visa with an entry stamp, or residence card
- Medical insurance, bought with the visa
Common mistakes that get Indians refused
- A US, UK or Schengen visa that has never been used does not qualify for the eVisa or visa on arrival; officers look for an entry stamp.
- Visit visa processing for Indians is restricted around the Hajj season, roughly April to mid-June; avoid planning tourist trips that need a visa in that window.
- Hajj is not allowed on a tourist visa; violations carry heavy fines, deportation and a long entry ban.
- Non-Muslims cannot enter Makkah, and the central area of Madinah is restricted; plan itineraries around AlUla, Riyadh, Jeddah and the Red Sea coast.
Do Indians need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Yes. India is not on the list of nationalities that can apply for Saudi Arabia's standard tourist eVisa, so how you apply depends on what is already in your passport.
- You hold a US, UK or Schengen tourist or business visa that you have used at least once, or residence in the US, UK, EU or a GCC country: apply for the eVisa online, or take a visa on arrival at major airports.
- You hold none of these: apply for a tourist visit visa through a VFS Tasheer centre in India.
Tasheer has centres in cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kolkata, Lucknow and Ahmedabad.
How to apply through Tasheer
- Book an appointment on the Tasheer India portal and choose the tourism category.
- Fill in the application and prepare documents: passport, photo, tickets, hotel bookings, bank statements and proof of employment.
- Attend the centre for biometrics and submission. Phone and bag rules vary by centre, so carry only what you need.
- Pay the visa fee and mandatory medical insurance at the centre.
- Collect the passport, or have it couriered back, once the visa is stamped.
How the eVisa route works
Qualifying Indians apply on the official Visit Saudi visa portal, pay about SAR 340 (₹8,000) plus insurance, and usually receive the visa within minutes to a day. It is valid for a year with multiple entries and stays of up to 90 days in total. A visa on arrival is also available at major airports for the same group.
What officers check
At Tasheer, officials check that bank statements show steady income and that hotel bookings cover the whole stay. At Riyadh and Jeddah airports, tourists with a valid visa are processed quickly; eVisa holders should carry the passport containing the US, UK or Schengen visa they qualified with.
Umrah, families and seniors
The tourist visa allows Umrah, which makes it popular with families combining a pilgrimage and a short holiday. Women can travel independently on a tourist visa. Seniors should book Umrah during cooler months, November to February, and carry their insurance certificate.
If you are flying Saudia or flynas via Riyadh or Jeddah, a free or low-cost stopover visa of up to 96 hours can be added when you book the ticket. It suits a short look at Jeddah's old town on the way to Europe.
Plan the trip with the Saudi Arabia trip cost guide, best time to visit Saudi Arabia and things to do in Saudi Arabia. Our visa assistance team can prepare the Tasheer file for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can Indians get a Saudi eVisa?
How much does a Saudi tourist visa cost for Indians?
Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa?
When is it hard to get a Saudi visit visa from India?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
