Since March 2023 all expats resident in Kuwait can get a Saudi eVisa, whatever their profession, as long as the Kuwait residency has at least three months left and the passport at least six months. Apply on visa.visitsaudi.com, the official KSA eVisa portal: upload your passport details and Civil ID, pay about SAR 535 including mandatory health insurance, and the one-year, multiple-entry visa (up to 90 days per stay) usually arrives by email within minutes to two days. It covers tourism, family visits and Umrah (not Hajj). You can fly, or drive in through the Nuwaiseeb/Khafji or Salmi border crossings.
On this page
- Who can get a Saudi visa from Kuwait
- Documents you need
- How to apply for the Saudi eVisa step by step
- Saudi visa cost and validity
- Other Saudi visa options
- Umrah from Kuwait with the eVisa
- Driving from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia
- Travelling with your family
- Common reasons for delays or rejection
- Before you travel: checklist
- Flying from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia
- While you are in Saudi Arabia
- Frequently asked questions
- Related guides
Who can get a Saudi visa from Kuwait
The GCC-resident eVisa replaced the old rule that only certain professions could apply. Today the route is open to almost every Kuwait residency holder.
- Residents of any GCC country, including all Kuwait residency holders (Articles 17, 18, 20, 22 and 23), regardless of job title.
- Kuwait residency valid for at least 3 months and a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the trip.
- Applicants must be 18 or over. Children, spouses and domestic workers are added under the sponsor’s application.
- Nationals of certain countries are excluded from the GCC-resident route (the portal shows the list) and must use a normal visit visa through an agency.
The visa does not depend on your salary or profession, but your occupation must be entered exactly as it appears on your Civil ID.
Documents you need
- Passport valid for 6+ months.
- Civil ID with at least 3 months of residency left; you enter the residency number and expiry date.
- A recent passport-style photo on a white background.
- A Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card for payment; K-Net is not accepted.
- An email address you check, because the visa arrives as a PDF.
- For children and spouses: their passports and Civil IDs, added to your application.
How to apply for the Saudi eVisa step by step
- Go to visa.visitsaudi.com, create an account with your email and choose GCC residents.
- Enter your passport details, Kuwait Civil ID (residency) number and expiry date, and your occupation as shown on the Civil ID.
- Upload the photo with a white background.
- Choose the purpose of the visit (tourism, Umrah or family visit).
- Pay with a Visa or Mastercard – roughly SAR 535 including the Saudi health-insurance policy.
- Receive the visa PDF by email. Print it or keep it on your phone together with your passport and Civil ID for the border or airport.
Apply at least a week before travel. Most visas arrive within minutes, but some applications are held for document checks, which can take up to two days.
Saudi visa cost and validity
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| eVisa fee (GCC residents) | About SAR 535, including mandatory health insurance |
| Validity | One year from issue |
| Entries | Multiple |
| Maximum stay | 90 days per visit |
| Visa on arrival (GCC residents) | About SAR 480 at Saudi airports and some land borders |
| Processing time | Minutes to 48 hours |
The fee is charged in Saudi riyals, so your card statement will show the dinar amount at your bank’s exchange rate plus any foreign-transaction fee.
Other Saudi visa options
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (GCC residents) | SAR 480 | Available at Saudi airports and some land borders for eligible residents; slower than applying online |
| Umrah visa through a licensed agency | KD 40–80 service fee plus the visa | Used for group Umrah packages, especially in Ramadan when agencies hold quotas |
| Family visit visa (sponsored by a relative in KSA) | SAR 300 plus fees | Applied by the host through the Saudi MOFA platform |
| Business visa | SAR 300+ | Through a Saudi company invitation via the visa platform |
Umrah from Kuwait with the eVisa
The GCC-resident eVisa allows Umrah outside the Hajj season for residents of any profession. After you arrive, book your Umrah permit and your visit to the Rawdah in Medina through the official Nusuk app. Tourists with the eVisa may visit Mecca and Medina. Hajj is not allowed on this visa; Hajj requires a separate Hajj visa and permit through the official channels.
- Book Nusuk permits early during Ramadan and the last ten nights, when slots fill quickly.
- Many Kuwait residents drive to Mecca or Medina; the trip is long, so plan an overnight stop.
- Agency Umrah packages handle transport and hotels if you prefer not to drive.
Driving from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia
| Border crossing (Kuwait / Saudi) | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nuwaiseeb / Al-Khafji | Coastal road to Dammam, Khobar and on to Riyadh | The busiest crossing; queues of 1–3 hours at peak times |
| Salmi / Al-Ruqi | Towards Hafr Al-Batin and Riyadh | Useful for central Saudi Arabia and Qassim |
- Your car needs valid Kuwaiti registration and GCC/Saudi third-party insurance, which is sold at the border for roughly SAR 100–200 per month.
- If the car is not in your name, carry an MOI authorisation letter (تفويض) from the owner.
- Expats need a valid exit permit from their employer under the 2025 rules before leaving Kuwait by land or air.
- Fuel is cheaper in Saudi Arabia. The Khafji–Dammam highway is four lanes and well policed with speed cameras.
- Peak queues are on Eid holidays and long weekends; cross early in the morning if you can.
Travelling with your family
Add your spouse, children and domestic workers to your own application rather than creating separate accounts for children. Each person still needs a valid passport and Kuwait residency. Keep copies of birth or marriage certificates on your phone in case border officers ask about family relationships. If children travel with only one parent, carry written consent from the other parent in case you are asked.
Common reasons for delays or rejection
- Kuwait residency or passport too close to expiry.
- A photo that does not meet the white-background and face-size requirements.
- Occupation entered differently from the Civil ID.
- Payment with a card that blocks international online payments.
- Nationalities excluded from the GCC-resident route applying on the wrong channel.
Before you travel: checklist
- Passport, Civil ID and the visa PDF (printed and on your phone).
- Valid employer exit permit.
- Car registration, Saudi insurance and authorisation letter if driving.
- Nusuk permits if performing Umrah.
- A Visa or Mastercard and some Saudi riyals in cash for tolls, fuel or small purchases.
- Check your residency expiry: it must remain valid for your return.
Flying from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia
Flights are the quickest option for Jeddah, Medina and the west of the kingdom. Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Saudia, flynas and flyadeal connect Kuwait with Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina, with fares that rise sharply around Eid, school holidays and the last ten nights of Ramadan. A flight to Riyadh or Dammam takes well under two hours, and to Jeddah or Medina about two and a half hours.
- Book early for Ramadan and Eid; low-cost fares sell out first.
- Check the baggage allowance of low-cost carriers before packing Zamzam water or gifts.
- Show your eVisa, passport and Civil ID at check-in in Kuwait; airlines check the visa before boarding.
- On return, Kuwaiti immigration checks your residency, so make sure it is still valid.
While you are in Saudi Arabia
- Carry your passport with the visa at all times; hotels and checkpoints ask for it.
- Respect the 90-day limit per stay. Overstaying leads to fines and can affect future visas.
- Saudi Arabia charges 15% VAT on most purchases, unlike Kuwait.
- Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, including many fuel stations, but keep some cash for small shops on highways.
- Your Kuwaiti mobile line can roam in Saudi Arabia, but a local prepaid SIM or eSIM is usually cheaper for longer trips.
- The visa health insurance covers emergencies; keep the policy details from your visa email.
Frequently asked questions
Can an expat in Kuwait go to Saudi Arabia for Umrah?
Yes. The GCC-resident eVisa allows Umrah outside the Hajj season for any profession. Book permits in the Nusuk app.
How much is the Saudi visa for Kuwait residents?
About SAR 535 online including insurance, or about SAR 480 on arrival. It is valid for one year with multiple entries and up to 90 days per visit.
How long does the Saudi eVisa take?
Usually a few minutes to 48 hours. Apply at least a week before travel in case of document checks.
Can I pay for the Saudi eVisa with K-Net?
No. The portal accepts Visa and Mastercard cards only.
Do all professions qualify for the Saudi tourist visa?
Yes. Since 2023 the GCC-resident eVisa is open to Kuwait residents of any profession, subject to residency and passport validity.
Can I drive my car from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia?
Yes, through Nuwaiseeb/Khafji or Salmi, with valid registration, Saudi insurance bought at the border and an authorisation letter if the car is not yours.
Can I perform Hajj with the GCC resident eVisa?
No. Hajj requires a separate Hajj visa and permit.