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Saudi Arabia's e-Visa opens up the Kingdom's ancient Nabataean ruins at AlUla, the Jeddah old town, and the futuristic skyline of Riyadh. Issued entirely online as part of Vision 2030 — get yours in 72 hours.
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Saudi Arabia launched its tourist e-Visa in 2019 as part of the Vision 2030 transformation — opening the Kingdom to international tourism for the first time. Indian passport holders can apply at visitsaudi.com, pay approximately SAR 300 (around ₹6,700) for a 1-year multiple-entry visa allowing stays of up to 90 days. The e-Visa is processed within 72 hours in most cases. This is a significant shift — Saudi Arabia was essentially closed to non-Muslim, non-resident tourism until 2019. The country is now investing heavily in tourism infrastructure and actively courting Indian visitors, who represent one of the fastest-growing source markets for Saudi tourism.
Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's vast, modern capital — a city of 7 million people in the heart of the Arabian plateau. For Indian tourists: the National Museum of Saudi Arabia (one of the best archaeological and historical museums in the Arab world, covering Arabian prehistory through the founding of the modern kingdom), the Masmak Fortress (the mud-brick citadel at the heart of Riyadh's old city, central to Saudi Arabian national identity), the Dir'iyah UNESCO Heritage Site (the original capital of the Saudi kingdom, a mud-brick city being sensitively restored on the edge of Riyadh), and the newly developed entertainment district of Boulevard Riyadh City. Riyadh is less visually dramatic than Jeddah or AlUla but offers the deepest insight into Saudi culture and history.
AlUla is Saudi Arabia's most extraordinary destination for Indian tourists — a valley of rose-red sandstone formations, ancient Nabataean tombs (similar to Petra in Jordan but far less visited), and perfectly preserved 1st century BCE urban infrastructure. Hegra (Mada'in Saleh) is the main archaeological site — 111 monumental Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone outcrops, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. AlUla is 500km northwest of Riyadh and best reached by direct flight to AlUla International Airport. The Saudi government is developing AlUla as a luxury eco-tourism destination — the visitor experience is carefully managed, accommodation ranges from glamping in the valley to high-end resorts. Best season: October–March (cooler temperatures). AlUla also hosts the Winter at Tantora festival (January–March) with music, light shows, and cultural events.
Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's second-largest city and the main Red Sea port — historically the gateway to Mecca for Hajj pilgrims. For non-Muslim Indian tourists, Jeddah itself is a rich destination: Al-Balad (the historic old city) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with extraordinary coral-stone merchant houses featuring elaborately carved wooden screens (Rawasheen). The Red Sea Corniche stretches for 30km along the waterfront and has the King Fahd Fountain — the world's tallest fountain. Jeddah's food scene is the most diverse in Saudi Arabia with significant expat and international influence. The Red Sea in Jeddah has some of the world's best coral reef diving (Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast is ranked among the best diving destinations globally). Note: Non-Muslims cannot enter Mecca or Medina — these are sacred cities restricted to Muslims.
Saudi Arabia has undergone significant social changes since 2016 under Vision 2030. What Indian tourists need to know for 2025: Women can now drive and travel independently without a male guardian. Entertainment venues — cinemas, concerts, sports events — are now open and active. Mixed-gender socializing in public is permitted. However: alcohol remains completely prohibited throughout Saudi Arabia (no exceptions in hotels or restaurants). Dress code for tourists is relatively relaxed in tourist areas — women do not need to wear abaya (the black full-length robe) though modest clothing is expected. Religious sensitivities around the five daily prayer times are observed. Photography of women without permission, government buildings, and military facilities is not appropriate. Overall: Saudi Arabia of 2025 is dramatically more open and welcoming to Indian tourists than most people's perception.
The Saudi tourist e-Visa and religious visas (Hajj, Umrah) are completely separate systems. The tourist e-Visa covers all tourism activities but does not grant access to Mecca or Medina (these are restricted to Muslims, regardless of visa type). Indian Muslims who want to perform Umrah apply through the dedicated Umrah visa system — not the tourist e-Visa. Hindu, Sikh, Christian, or other non-Muslim Indian passport holders can use the tourist e-Visa to visit Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, the Red Sea, and Neom (the futuristic mega-project being developed in northwest Saudi Arabia). The tourist e-Visa includes travel insurance and allows multiple entries over one year.
Yes — Indian passport holders need a Saudi tourist e-Visa. Apply at visitsaudi.com, pay approximately SAR 300 (₹6,700), and receive your visa within 72 hours. The visa allows multiple entries for 1 year with up to 90 days total stay. Travel insurance is included in the visa fee.
Yes — the Saudi tourist e-Visa is open to all nationalities and religions, including non-Muslims. Non-Muslims can visit Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, and other destinations. The only restriction: non-Muslims cannot enter Mecca or Medina, which remain restricted to Muslims only.
No — alcohol is completely prohibited in Saudi Arabia. There are no exceptions for hotels, tourist areas, or licensed restaurants. This applies to all visitors including tourists. Saudi Arabia is strictly dry and this is a fundamental aspect of the country that will not change.
AlUla is Saudi Arabia's ancient Nabataean heritage site — 111 monumental tombs carved into rose-red sandstone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site similar to Petra in Jordan. It is Saudi Arabia's most spectacular destination for tourists and one of the world's underrated archaeological wonders. Best visited October–March on a direct flight to AlUla International Airport.
October to March is ideal — temperatures are 15–28°C across most of Saudi Arabia. Riyadh and Jeddah in summer (May–September) reach 45°C+. AlUla is particularly popular in October–March and during the Winter at Tantora festival (January–March).
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