“Saudi transit visa” covers three different situations: changing planes without leaving the airport, stopping over for up to four days on a Saudia or flynas ticket, and longer stays that need a tourist visa. Pick the one that matches your trip.
Saudi transit visa: when you need one and when you do not
Staying airside. Saudi visa portals do not publish a general airside transit rule. Airline guidance, summarised by Wego in October 2026, is that you can connect without a visa if you stay in the international transit area, with a limit of 12 hours published by Saudia. It depends on your nationality, the airline, whether bags are checked through and the terminals involved.
You will need a visa if you:
- leave the airport, even for a few hours;
- hold separate tickets and must collect bags and check in again;
- connect between terminals that require you to pass immigration. Terminal allocations at Riyadh airport changed in February 2026 and at Jeddah airport from September 2026, so ask your airline how your connection works.
Leaving the airport for up to 96 hours. Use the stopover visa described below, if you fly Saudia or flynas.
Longer stays. Apply for the Saudi tourist eVisa or check if you qualify for a visa on arrival.
The KSA Visa platform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also lists an Air Transit Visa, described as a visa for a brief stay during a layover, alongside Land and Sea Transit visas. It did not publish the conditions on its overview page on 15 November 2026; you apply on ksavisa.sa.
The 96-hour Saudi stopover visa with Saudia and flynas
The stopover visa was introduced at the start of 2023 with the two Saudi airlines and was still promoted by Visit Saudi in September 2026. Visit Saudi’s page says anyone booking a flight with Saudia or flynas can apply.
| Term | Stopover visa (Visit Saudi, updated 16 Sep 2026) |
|---|---|
| Who | Passengers booking a flight with Saudia or flynas that stops in Saudi Arabia |
| Stay | Up to 96 hours from arrival |
| Entry | Single entry |
| Validity | 3 months; apply up to 90 days before travel |
| Visa fee | Free |
| Other charges | Application fee about SAR 39.50 (USD 10.50); medical insurance from SAR 13 (USD 3.45) |
| Delivery | Emailed almost instantly after booking and payment |
| Allowed | Tourism, business meetings, events, Umrah with Nusuk booking; driving with an approved international driving licence |
| Not allowed | Hajj; stays beyond 96 hours |
How to get the Saudi transit visa when booking
- On the Saudia or flynas website, search for a journey with a stop in Saudi Arabia, on the way out or back.
- Choose a stopover of up to 96 hours.
- Select the stopover visa option while booking. Visit Saudi says the application takes about three minutes.
- Enter your passport details and upload a photo. Your passport needs at least six months’ validity.
- Pay the application fee and insurance with your fare.
- Check the visa and insurance documents sent by email before you fly.
Wego reported in October 2026 that flynas passes the application to the KSA Visa platform to complete. Follow the link the airline gives you rather than searching for a visa site.
Saudi transit visa cost: free or not
Both descriptions appear in the press, and both are partly right. The visa is free; the application fee and insurance are not. Visit Saudi’s figures in September 2026 were about SAR 39.50 plus insurance from SAR 13, the same amounts Gulf News reported in June 2025. Prices can change, so read the total in your booking before paying.
Good to know: In April 2025 the Express Tribune reported, citing Saudia, that the stopover visa had been limited to itineraries starting or ending in a list of “Group A” countries, for travellers who had already used a visa from one of them. Visit Saudi’s September 2026 page does not mention this. The airline booking system shows if your route qualifies.
Umrah on a Saudi transit visa
Visit Saudi says stopover visa holders can apply to perform Umrah during the stopover through the Nusuk platform, and that religious visitors must book Umrah or Ziyarah appointments there before going to Makkah or Madinah. From Jeddah, the Haramain train at the airport runs to Makkah and Madinah. Makkah is open only to Muslims, and Hajj-season restrictions on entering Makkah apply to visitors.
For non-pilgrims, 96 hours is enough for the old town of Historic Jeddah (Al-Balad) or, from Riyadh, At-Turaif in Diriyah.
Stopover visa, eVisa or visa on arrival: the differences
| Stopover visa | Tourist eVisa | Visa on arrival | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Saudia or flynas passengers | 72 nationalities, US/UK/Schengen visa holders, US/UK/EU permanent residents, GCC residents | eVisa nationalities, US/UK/Schengen visa holders, US/UK/EU permanent residents |
| How | During the airline booking | Online before travel | At the airport kiosk or counter |
| Stay | Up to 96 hours | Up to 90 days | Per the visa issued |
| Entries | Single | Multiple, over 1 year | Per the visa issued |
| Cost | Visa free; fee and insurance | Visa fee, service fees and insurance | Not published separately |
Common Saudi transit visa mistakes
- Overstaying the 96 hours. The stopover visa is for one stop; you must leave on your booked onward flight.
- Booking another airline and expecting the stopover visa. Visit Saudi names only Saudia and flynas.
- Separate tickets with a short connection. You may need entry to collect bags, and a visa to do so.
- Applying through look-alike websites. Use the airline’s own booking flow, the Visit Saudi stopover page or the KSA Visa platform.
While in Saudi Arabia, Visit Saudi gives 930 as its 24-hour tourist helpline.
Questions travellers ask
Do I need a transit visa for Saudi Arabia?
Not if you stay in the international transit area on a short connection booked on one ticket, according to airline guidance. You need a visa if you want to leave the airport, collect your bags or re-check in on a separate ticket. Your airline confirms the rule for your nationality and route.
How long is the Saudi transit visa valid?
Visit Saudi gives the stopover visa a validity of three months, and you can apply up to 90 days before travel. Once you land, you may stay up to 96 hours. It is single entry and, according to Gulf News, cannot be extended.
How much is the Saudi transit visa?
The visa itself is free. In September 2026 Visit Saudi listed an application fee of about SAR 39.50 (USD 10.50) and medical insurance from SAR 13 (USD 3.45). That is why some reports call it free and others give a price.
Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi transit visa?
Yes. Visit Saudi says stopover visa holders can apply to perform Umrah through the Nusuk platform during their stopover. The visa cannot be used for Hajj, which requires a Hajj permit.
Can I get a Saudi transit visa after booking my flight?
The stopover visa is requested during the Saudia or flynas booking and emailed after approval. If you have already booked, ask the airline whether it can be added to your reservation. If not, an eVisa or visa on arrival may suit you if you are eligible.
Is a free hotel night included with the Saudi transit visa?
When the stopover visa was introduced in early 2023, Saudia offered one complimentary hotel night. The current Visit Saudi page, updated in September 2026, does not mention a hotel night, so ask Saudia whether the offer still applies.
Can I get a Saudi transit visa on arrival?
No. The stopover visa is issued with your flight booking before you travel. At the airport, only the tourist visa on arrival is available, and only to eligible nationalities and holders of US, UK or Schengen visas or residence permits.
