Saudi Arabia’s Revolutionary EVisa Expands To All GCC Nationals Including Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain And Oman With Easy Online Application

Published on November 18, 2025

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new 12-month, multiple-entry eVisa for residents of GCC countries, including Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. This initiative simplifies the travel process by allowing expatriates to apply for the visa entirely online, with processing times as quick as 30 minutes. The move is designed to boost tourism and business travel by offering easy access to Saudi Arabia for various purposes, such as tourism, family visits, and business meetings. With this eVisa, Saudi Arabia aims to streamline cross-border mobility, support regional cooperation, and attract more visitors as part of its Vision 2030 strategy.

Saudi Arabia has expanded its eVisa platform, now offering a 12-month, multiple-entry permit for expatriate residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. This new initiative, announced in Riyadh and confirmed by travel agents across the GCC, allows residents from these countries to apply for the visa entirely online via the official website, ksavisa.sa, with processing times as short as 30 minutes.

The eVisa offers expatriates the flexibility of unlimited travel to Saudi Arabia within a year, though each stay is limited to 90 days. The visa is valid for various purposes, including tourism, family visits, business meetings, and performing Umrah outside the Hajj season. The application fee is approximately $92, with an additional requirement for mandatory medical insurance, the cost of which may vary depending on the provider.

To be eligible for the visa, applicants must present a passport that is valid for at least six months and a valid residence visa from their respective GCC country, such as Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, or Oman, that is valid for at least three months. A recent digital photograph is also required for the application process.

This simplified visa process is a significant benefit for the expatriate communities in these GCC countries, who often travel to Saudi Arabia for religious, personal, or business purposes. The eVisa eliminates the need for traditional paperwork and long consulate appointments, making it easier for expatriates to plan and execute trips to Saudi Arabia.

Corporate mobility teams across the GCC will also benefit from the new system. Business executives can now avoid consulate visits and make last-minute trips to key business hubs in Saudi Arabia, such as Riyadh’s financial district, NEOM, and other major project sites, all using the same eVisa.

It is important for travel managers to note that minors must apply for the visa under a parent’s profile. Additionally, during peak Umrah periods, travelers with the eVisa may encounter capacity limitations at religious sites due to higher demand.

The expansion of the eVisa platform is expected to increase travel between GCC countries and Saudi Arabia, especially on weekend routes such as Kuwait–Riyadh and Kuwait–Jeddah. As more expatriates in the region become aware of the eVisa, travel demand is anticipated to rise, benefiting airlines operating in the GCC.

This eVisa initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to attract 150 million visitors by 2030, part of its Vision 2030 efforts to diversify its economy and boost the tourism sector. The move also supports regional regulatory harmonization, a growing trend within the GCC, which is further reinforced by various travel facilitation initiatives within the region.

The introduction of the new eVisa represents a step forward in simplifying travel for expatriates in the GCC, especially for residents of Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. This initiative is expected to boost tourism and business travel, contributing significantly to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and strengthening regional cooperation across the GCC.