The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has updated its electronic visa (eVisa) system guidelines ahead of the 2026 travel season, officially listing 13 Asian countries eligible for the fast-track immigration portal. The updated eVisa permits multiple entries, allowing travellers to stay for up to 90 days in a single year for leisure or business.
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 Drives eVisa Expansion
In line with its strategic Vision 2030 goal to welcome millions of global travellers, the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia released its updated 2026 eVisa guidelines. The digital immigration portal allows eligible foreign nationals to skip traditional consular visits, making travel to the Middle Eastern nation much easier. Among the 66 countries approved globally, 13 Asian countries have been officially listed as eligible for the fast-track eVisa.
Full List of Eligible Asian Countries in 2026
The official Saudi eVisa portal lists the following Asian nations as fully eligible for online application: Azerbaijan, Brunei, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, South Korea, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
What the 2026 Saudi eVisa Offers
The tourist eVisa is designed to encourage international exploration and simplify transit. According to Visit Saudi, the 2026 travel framework includes key features such as one-year validity from the date of issue, a 90-day stay limit within the single-year validity period, and coverage for general tourism, attendance at local festivals and events, visits to relatives, and performing the Umrah pilgrimage. Important restrictions apply: the tourist eVisa does not permit holders to engage in academic study, nor does it allow them to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which requires a specialised Hajj visa.
African Countries Also Listed for eVisa
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially listed only three African countries whose citizens qualify for its eVisa in 2026. The eVisa grants a one-year, multiple-entry permit allowing stays of up to 90 days for tourism and Umrah visits, Legit.ng confirmed.
