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Australians can get a visa-on-arrival for Saudi Arabia, or an eVisa beforehand. There are also 'transit' visas available via Saudi airlines:
www.visitsaudi.com
I've just successfully applied for an eVisa, so posting here are as there are a few tips.
Mostly straightforward. Create account. My activation e-mail didn't arrive so after 10 mins I had it re-sent and it arrived almost instantly. The pic you need to upload has to be between 5 and 100kb and 200x200px. Small! If you get it below 100kb it will allow upload and then cropping.
Tip is where you have to enter your accommodation. It will bring up your hotel OK, but for me would not accept the phone number - must be 9 digits after the country code; number I entered was correct, but it kept saying it was invalid. I found a WhatsApp Saudi-Visit help number +966 11 490 7617 and after entering a bunch of info who I was, the human came on quickly and helpfully. The hotel phone number and e-mail is optional! Doesn't say so, but leaving them blank works.
Thereafter simple: pay fee which includes compulsory medical insurance. SR395 = A$157. Valid for multiple entries of up to 90 days, for a year from date of issue.
Then taken to a 'status' page. 'Under consideration' at first, but approved in about 5 minutes. At the status page you can print the visa (need to allow pop-ups) and the medical insurance thing. Only the visa is e-mailed to you.
Arriving 1 Feb this year.
Note: Certain medicines need a prior permit to bring in (I haven't gone through it yet)
www.sfda.gov.sa
Visas to Visit Saudi Arabia | Tourist Visa Requirements | Visit Saudi
Discover the different types of Saudi tourist visas and entry requirements easily and learn how to obtain the electronic tourist visa to start your journey!
www.visitsaudi.com
I've just successfully applied for an eVisa, so posting here are as there are a few tips.
Mostly straightforward. Create account. My activation e-mail didn't arrive so after 10 mins I had it re-sent and it arrived almost instantly. The pic you need to upload has to be between 5 and 100kb and 200x200px. Small! If you get it below 100kb it will allow upload and then cropping.
Tip is where you have to enter your accommodation. It will bring up your hotel OK, but for me would not accept the phone number - must be 9 digits after the country code; number I entered was correct, but it kept saying it was invalid. I found a WhatsApp Saudi-Visit help number +966 11 490 7617 and after entering a bunch of info who I was, the human came on quickly and helpfully. The hotel phone number and e-mail is optional! Doesn't say so, but leaving them blank works.
Thereafter simple: pay fee which includes compulsory medical insurance. SR395 = A$157. Valid for multiple entries of up to 90 days, for a year from date of issue.
Then taken to a 'status' page. 'Under consideration' at first, but approved in about 5 minutes. At the status page you can print the visa (need to allow pop-ups) and the medical insurance thing. Only the visa is e-mailed to you.
Arriving 1 Feb this year.
Note: Certain medicines need a prior permit to bring in (I haven't gone through it yet)
SFDA Launches "Traveler's Permit for Controlled Drugs" Service at LEAP 2025
The Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), H.E. Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, today launched the "Traveler's Permit for Controlled Drugs" service at the LEAP 2025 conference. The new service was unveiled at the SFDA pavilion. This initiative aims to enhance the travel...
www.sfda.gov.sa
