Traveling to Saudi Arabia: E Visa for Germany explained
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As a hub of cultural and sporting entertainment, Saudi Arabia is becoming an ever-increasingly popular destination for tourists all across the world.
In particular, at ITB Berlin – a tourism trade fair – it was announced that tourists from Europe visiting Saudi Arabia surged by 24% to 4 million in 2024, with spending soaring by 41% to USD 7.9 billion. Additionally, as part of its Vision 2030 campaign to boost incoming traffic to the Kingdom, the government is investing in tourism infrastructure, such as 16 new luxury resorts by the end of 2025 and 32 by 2030.
For Germany, Eurowings also recently announced the addition of a new route between Stuttgart and Jeddah, increasing German tourism into the country.
As such, in this article, we will discuss what the Saudi e-Visa from Germany is, what activities it allows, entry requirements and the application process.
What is the Saudi e-Visa for German citizens?
Introduced in 2019, the Saudi Arabia e-Visa is a straightforward, user-friendly digital service to allow visitors to enter and travel around the Kingdom.
For German citizens, different e-Visas allow you to participate in activities such as tourism, visiting friends and family, attending business meetings and conferences and performing Umrah (except during Hajj season).
All visitors from Germany should apply for an e-Visa ahead of time, and it allows travelers to enter Saudi Arabia multiple times for 90 days each stay during the one-year validity period. Alternatively, you can enter once for a 30-day stay during the 3-month validity period.
It is also possible to obtain a visa on arrival; however, applying online for a Saudi e-Visa instead is recommended to avoid unexpected delays and long queues.
Types of Saudi e-Visa and validity
Before traveling, it is important to carefully assess the purpose of your visit to ensure you apply for the correct visa. All of the below visas have a validity of 1 year, and allow stays of up to 90 days per visit.
The Saudi e-visa is not extendable. German travelers wishing to stay longer in Saudi Arabia should leave Saudi Arabia before their Saudi e-visa expires and then reapply for a new Saudi e-visa before traveling back to Saudi Arabia.
Tourist e-Visa
This is the most common type for German travelers visiting Saudi Arabia for tourism and leisure. The tourist e-Visa also permits participation in Umrah (excluding the Hajj period). Processing times are typically very fast, with most applicants receiving their tourist e-visas within 24 hours. The tourist visa fee is 494 Saudi Riyal (equivalent to around 120 EUR).
Business/Events e-Visa
Designed for German citizens intending to engage in short-term business activities, such as attending workshops, meetings, or conferences. This visa grants business-related visits without the need for a traditional visa application. Prices for this visa can vary depending on the specifics of the visit and the processing agent.
Umrah e-Visa
German Muslims wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage purposes should apply for a Saudi umrah visa from germany. Umrah visas are available year-round.
Saudi Arabia visa fees for Umrah are generally lower compared to the Hajj Visa and typically range from approximately 90 EUR to 140 EUR. Additional charges may include visa processing and other services provided by the travel agency or tour operator.
Family Visit e-Visa
This visa allows German citizens to visit immediate family members residing in Saudi Arabia, including children, parents, siblings, and spouses living in the Kingdom. Additional relatives include grandparents, in-laws, and grandchildren. Unlike other e-Visas, the application must be initiated by the Saudi national or legal resident hosting the visitor.
Typically, the Saudi Arabia Family Visit Visa fee will range from anywhere between 45 EUR to 180 EUR. Applicants may need to pay additional fees for services such as medical insurance, document attestation, and translation of supporting documents.
Entry requirements
Before applying for a Saudi Arabia e-Visa from Germany, travelers aged 18 or over must provide the following information:
Application
German applicant fills out a Saudi visa application form with personal data and other requested information.
Passport
German applicants should hold a German passport, valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia or that meets the rules of reciprocity.
Personal photo
German applicants must submit one recent color photo against a white background, 2×2 inches, 5 to 100 KB, natural facial expressions, 80% face, no eyeglasses, no head wear, except for religious reasons.
The step-by-step process for applying for a Saudi e-Visa
German nationals wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism activities can apply online at SaudiVisa.com in three simple steps:
Step one: Fill out the online Saudi e-visa application form, including personal data, passport details, and other requested information.
Applications will also ask for a personal colour photo with the requirements as mentioned above. Guidelines for accepted photos can be found on the Saudi Arabia embassy website.
Step two: Pay the Saudi e-visa online fees with a valid credit or debit card.
Step three: The approved Saudi e-visa will be sent to the email provided. You should check that all information on the Saudi e-visa is correct and matches your German passport.
Visa on arrival – ports of entry
If you are looking to acquire a visa on arrival, please see the following ports of entry below:
Airports:
- King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), Jeddah
- King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Riyadh
- Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED), Medina
- King Fahd International Airport (DMM), Dammam
Seaports:
- King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam
- Jeddah Islamic Port, Jeddah
- King Fahd Industrial Port, Jubail
- Yanbu Commercial Port, Yanbu
Land-border crossings:
- Saudi-Jordan Border
- Saudi-Iraq Border
- Saudi-Kuwait Border
- Saudi-UAE Border
However, as previously mentioned, it is highly recommended to apply for an e-Visa ahead of time to avoid any hassle or unnecessary stress during your journey.
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