Saudi Arabia Just Expanded Its eVisa to Six More Countries
Saudi Arabia expanded its eVisa program to include six additional countries (Turkey, Thailand, Panama, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Saint Kitts and Nevis). Eligible travelers from these countries can now apply online for a one-year, multiple-entry visa for tourism, business, or Umrah (up to 90 days per visit). The announcement was published around April 9, 2026.
Saudi Arabia Just Expanded Its eVisa to Six More Countries
Saudi Arabia added Turkey, Thailand, Panama, Seychelles, Mauritius and Saint Kitts and Nevis to its eVisa program around April 9, 2026, bringing the total number of eligible countries to 66. The visa itself isn't new, it's a one-year, multiple-entry tourist visa that allows stays of up to 90 days per visit and covers tourism, business, family visits and Umrah. Not Hajj, not studying.
The expansion is, honestly, a straightforward win for travelers from those six countries who previously had to deal with embassy visits, now they can apply entirely online and get their visa electronically before they land.
Who does this affect?
Tourists and short-term business travelers from the newly added countries get the clearest benefit. Digital nomads can, turns out, use repeated 90-day stays for remote work trips, though Saudi Arabia doesn't have a dedicated remote work visa, so long-term stays still require a sponsorship arrangement. It's workable for shorter stints, it won't suit anyone looking to plant roots.
What you'll need to apply:
- Passport valid for 6+ months
- Passport-style photo
- Payment of approximately SAR 395 (~$105 USD) total, non-refundable
- Mandatory medical insurance, roughly SAR 140 (~$37 USD), which is bundled into the process
Apply through the official Saudi eVisa portal, fill out the form, pay the fee and you'll receive the visa electronically. Straightforward process, no embassy queue required.
One other thing worth flagging: Saudi Arabia extended temporary visa grace periods for expired short-term and Umrah visas until April 18, 2026, with no overstay fines for eligible visitors who got stranded ahead of Hajj season. If that applies to you, act fast, that deadline is close.
Separately, travelers from countries like India and Pakistan are, frankly, in a different situation entirely, limited to single-entry 30-day visas during Hajj prep, which highlights how uneven the eVisa access still is across the region.
Check our full Saudi Arabia guide for entry requirements, visa options and what to expect on the ground. And follow our nomad news for the latest policy changes as they happen.