Trip planning
Do you need a visa for Saudi Arabia? We explain the eVisa, passport requirements, validity, and what Norwegian travellers should check before departure.
Written by Saudi Reiser
Do Norwegians need a visa to travel to Saudi Arabia?
Yes.
But for Norwegian tourists, the process is usually relatively simple.
Norway is one of the countries eligible for Saudi Arabia's electronic tourist visa – the eVisa.
This means you can usually apply for a tourist visa online before your trip, without having to visit an embassy.
For many travellers, the application itself takes a short amount of time.
But visa rules can change, and it's important to check the current requirements before departure.
In this guide, Saudi Reiser explains how the tourist eVisa works for Norwegian travellers, what passport requirements apply, how long you can stay in the country, and what you should be aware of before your trip.
Read also: Travelling to Saudi Arabia – A Complete Guide for Norwegian Tourists
Yes.
Norwegian citizens need a visa to travel to Saudi Arabia.
However, Norway is among the countries approved for Saudi Arabia's electronic tourist visa.
This is commonly called:
Saudi eVisa
The application is completed electronically through Saudi Arabia's official tourist visa portal.
Once the application is approved, you will normally receive the visa electronically.
This makes the process considerably simpler than traditional visa applications that require a visit to an embassy.
The Saudi eVisa is an electronic tourist visa.
It was established to make it easier for international travellers to visit Saudi Arabia.
It can be used for tourism-related travel.
The official Saudi eVisa system states that the tourist visa can normally be used for purposes including:
It cannot be used as a work visa.
Nor is it a student visa.
The official Saudi eVisa system states that the tourist eVisa is normally:
valid for one year from the date of issue
and:
valid for multiple entries
This means you can normally enter Saudi Arabia multiple times during the visa's validity period.
However, it is important to check your specific issued visa.
The visa conditions stated on your own eVisa are always the ones you must adhere to.
The tourist eVisa normally allows for stays of up to:
90 days
This does not necessarily mean you should plan a 90-day stay without checking the conditions first.
Always check:
on the visa you have actually received.
The Saudi eVisa is normally a multiple-entry visa.
This means you can travel in and out of Saudi Arabia multiple times while the visa is valid.
This can be useful if you are, for example, combining your trip with:
But before planning such a trip, you should always check:
Your passport must normally be valid for at least:
six months from the date of entry
This requirement is stated by both Saudi Arabia's official eVisa system and the Norwegian authorities.
This means that a passport that is soon to expire can cause problems, even if it is still valid on the actual date of travel.
Therefore, check your passport's expiry date early in the planning process.
No.
A Norwegian national ID card does not replace a passport for entry into Saudi Arabia.
You must travel with a valid passport.
The Norwegian authorities also state that an emergency passport is not considered a valid travel document for regular entry into Saudi Arabia.
Therefore, plan your passport renewal well in advance if your passport is due to expire soon.
Yes.
When you apply for a Saudi eVisa, the application is linked to your passport details.
You must therefore enter the country with the same passport that was used in the visa application.
If you have received a new passport after the visa was issued, you should check what is required before you travel.
Do not assume that the visa is automatically transferred to a new passport.
The application is done digitally through Saudi Arabia's official eVisa portal.
The official process is described in three main steps:
1. Fill out the application
2. Pay the visa fee
3. Receive the visa electronically
You should use the official Saudi visa portal.
There are many third-party websites that offer to apply on your behalf for an extra fee.
This is normally not necessary for a typical Norwegian tourist.
Norwegian MFA's travel information – Saudi Arabia
The requirements can change, but you will normally need to provide information such as:
A photo and other documentation in the correct format may also be required.
Always follow the instructions on the official application page.
The visa fee is set by the Saudi authorities.
The price can change.
We therefore do not recommend basing your trip on a price you find in an old blog or article.
The current fee is displayed during the official application process before payment.
There may also be mandatory costs or insurance-related elements included in the total payment.
Therefore, always check the actual final price directly in the official portal.
Saudi Arabia's electronic system is designed for a relatively simple and quick application process.
However, processing times can vary.
You should therefore not wait until the last minute to apply.
Technical problems, incorrect information, or the need for further checks can lead to delays.
Our recommendation is to sort out the visa well in advance of your departure.
Read also: When is the best time to travel to Saudi Arabia?
There is rarely any advantage in waiting until the last day.
Once your flights, hotels, and itinerary are starting to take shape, your visa should be part of your checklist.
At the same time, make sure you understand when the visa's validity period begins.
If the visa is valid for one year from the date of issue, the application date should align with your planned trip.
The possibility of a visa on arrival depends on nationality, documentation, and current Saudi regulations.
The Norwegian authorities state that a tourist visa may be available on arrival at certain Saudi airports.
However, if you can apply for an eVisa in advance, many travellers will find this to be the most predictable solution.
The rules can change.
Always check official information before departure.
Children travelling to Saudi Arabia must also have the correct travel documents.
Do not assume that a parent's eVisa automatically covers the child.
Check the official visa process for each family member who will be travelling.
Passport requirements also apply to children.
Read also: What should you see in Saudi Arabia? 15 amazing places to visit
Makkah is reserved for Muslims.
Non-Muslim tourists are therefore not allowed to visit Makkah.
Muslim travellers can use a tourist visa for certain religious journeys, including Umrah, if the current visa rules permit this.
Hajj follows its own rules and permits.
A standard tourist eVisa should not be treated as a Hajj visa.
Non-Muslim tourists can visit several parts of Madinah.
However, certain holy areas have restricted access.
The itinerary should therefore be planned according to who is travelling and which areas the travel party has access to.
Saudi Reiser can help put together a route that suits your travel group.
Saudi Arabia's tourist eVisa can normally be used for Umrah, but not Hajj.
It is important to distinguish between these.
Rules for religious travel can also be affected by season, permits, and other government requirements.
If the primary purpose of your trip is Umrah, you should check the current official rules specifically for religious travel.
No.
A tourist eVisa is not a work visa.
It should be used for permitted tourist and visitor purposes.
If you intend to work, study, or reside in Saudi Arabia for other reasons, you will need a different type of permit.
You should have good travel insurance when you travel to Saudi Arabia.
The Norwegian authorities recommend that travellers have valid travel insurance and are familiar with the terms and conditions of their policy.
Check things like:
If you plan to participate in special activities, you should check that these are actually covered.
Insurance requirements may be part of the visa system.
Because this can change, you should follow the official application system and check what is included or required when you apply.
Visa-related insurance should not necessarily be treated as a substitute for a standard, comprehensive Norwegian travel insurance policy.
The official eVisa system sends the approved visa electronically.
Saudi Arabia's eVisa terms and conditions state that travellers must be able to present a copy of the eVisa upon first entry.
We therefore recommend having:
It's a small thing that can make your journey smoother if you have problems with mobile signal or battery life.
It's a good idea to have readily available:
The immigration authorities may ask questions about your trip.
Answer correctly and in accordance with the purpose you stated in your visa application.
Saudi Arabia's official eVisa terms and conditions state that biometric data may be collected upon arrival.
This is part of the entry process.
Follow the instructions from the immigration authorities at the airport or border crossing.
The official eVisa system states that the eVisa can be used for entry through Saudi airports and seaports in accordance with the terms.
However, border and entry rules can change.
If you are planning an unusual route or entry by land, we recommend checking the specific rules for that particular border crossing.
If you are just transiting, the visa requirement depends on factors such as:
The Norwegian authorities recommend that travellers with a long layover contact their airline or travel agent to find out if a transit visa is necessary.
Do not assume that the same rules apply to all layovers.
Saudi Arabia is increasingly being combined with other countries in the region.
Examples could be:
Saudi Arabia + Jordan
Saudi Arabia + Qatar
Saudi Arabia + Bahrain
Saudi Arabia + The United Arab Emirates
If you plan to leave Saudi Arabia and later return, you must ensure your visa permits this.
Also check the visa rules for all other countries on your trip.
Entry rules may include questions related to previous travel, documentation, and passport history.
The Norwegian authorities publish updated information on special circumstances that may affect entry.
This is a good example of why you should always read the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' current travel information before departure.
This is perhaps the most important point in the entire article.
Visa and entry rules can change.
Therefore, you should never base your trip solely on:
Always use official sources before you travel.
For Norwegian travellers, we recommend checking:
Saudi Arabia's official eVisa portal
and:
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' travel information for Saudi Arabia
A visa is only one part of the preparations.
You should also check:
The situation in the region can change quickly.
Therefore, read the Norwegian MFA's updated travel information both when you are planning your trip and again shortly before departure.
The Norwegian authorities offer the Reiseklar app.
There, you can access updated travel information, among other things.
You can also register your trip with the Norwegian authorities.
This can be useful if a situation arises while you are abroad.
Once the visa is sorted, the fun part begins.
Then you can plan:
For a first-time trip, we often combine several destinations.
A popular starting point is:
Riyadh → AlUla → Jeddah
This gives you a modern city, history, the desert, and the Red Sea all in one trip.
Read also: AlUla – A Complete Travel Guide
Read also: Riyadh – The Best Things to See and Do
Read also: Jeddah – A Complete Travel Guide
Read also: Train Travel in Saudi Arabia
See also our package suggestions.
Saudi Reiser can help you put together the trip itself.
We can plan:
When it comes to the visa, the application itself and the final requirements should always be checked against the official Saudi authorities.
However, we can help you understand where the visa process fits into your overall travel planning.
For Norwegian tourists, the visa process is normally much simpler than many people think.
Norway is one of the countries eligible to apply for a tourist eVisa.
Your passport must have sufficient validity.
The application is done online.
And once everything is approved, you can start concentrating on what's most important:
the trip itself.
Yes. Norwegian citizens need a visa, but Norway is among the countries that can apply for Saudi Arabia's electronic tourist eVisa.
The official eVisa system states that the tourist eVisa is normally valid for one year from the date of issue and for multiple entries.
The tourist eVisa normally allows for a stay of up to 90 days. Always check the conditions on your own issued visa.
Your passport must normally be valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
Yes. Norwegian tourists can normally apply via Saudi Arabia's official electronic tourist visa portal.
The possibility of a visa on arrival depends on current rules and the traveller's eligibility. Although this may be available for Norwegian travellers in some cases, we recommend checking official information before departure.
Saudi Arabia's official eVisa information states that the tourist eVisa can be used for Umrah, but not Hajj. The current rules for religious travel should always be checked separately.
No. A tourist eVisa is not a work visa.
Children must have the correct travel documents and visa according to the rules that apply to them. Check the official application process for each family member.
Use Saudi Arabia's official eVisa portal. Avoid unnecessary third-party services that may charge extra fees.
CONTACT / CTA
Once your visa and entry requirements are sorted, Saudi Reiser will be happy to help with the rest – from Riyadh and AlUla to Jeddah, the Red Sea, and complete tours.
kontakt@saudireiser.com+47 409 77 778Get a travel proposalThis information can change. Always check current requirements with the relevant authorities before you travel.
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