Indian nationals can travel to Saudi Arabia under four different categories of visas. The nation has introduced additional visa categories and streamlined the visa application process in an effort to increase tourism. The ultimate objective is to make India the leading source of tourism by welcoming 2.2 million Indian visitors to Saudi Arabia by the end of 2024.

Saudi Arabian visa alternatives available to Indian nationals.

Saudi Arabia provides stopover, e-visa, visa-on-arrival, and tourism visa options to Indian nationals. As part of Saudi Vision 2030, which intends to invite 7.5 million Indian tourists to the nation by 2030, strict adjustments are being made. According to ET TravelWorld, travelers will be able to conduct the Umrah throughout their stay because to the variety of visa alternatives available.

Stopover Visa:

The Stopover Visa is valid for 90 days following issuance and permits a 96-hour or four-day stay in the nation. Although there are no costs involved, there are some administrative and health insurance costs. The Indian passenger needs to have the necessary travel documents and a plane ticket for their next stop.

E-Visa :

Selected Indian nationals holding a valid tourist or business visa from the United States, United Kingdom, or any Schengen nation, or a permanent residency visa from one of the Gulf Cooperation countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, or the United Arab Emirates—may apply for an e-visa.

Depending on one’s nationality, the cost of an E-visa might vary from SAR 340 to 494 (about INR 7,568 to 10,997). Only after the online visa application has been completed will the final visa charge be confirmed. This is a year-long, multiple-entry visa that allows a stay of up to ninety days.

Visa-On-Arrival:

Indian nationals who satisfy the aforementioned requirements for an e-visa may also apply via land, air, or sea for a Visa-On-Arrival. The visa allows for a stay of up to ninety days and costs SAR 480 (about INR 10,685). It has a one-year validity period and allows for repeated entries.

Tourism Visa:

If a traveller does not fit the requirements for any of the three aforementioned visas, they must apply through the closest Embassy, Consulate, or Tasheer Center that issues Indian nationals visas to Saudi Arabia.

For Indian nationals, the cost of a Saudi Arabian visa begins at INR 7,010. Applicants will only be informed of the total cost after finishing the submission.

The embassy has the last say on validity, number of entry, and days of stay.

For information about the closest Saudi Arabian facility that grants visas, check the Tasheer website.

Tasheer facilities are available in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Patna, among other Indian cities. Saudi Arabia also intends to increase the number of its visa offices in India.