Visa-Free Countries for Saudi Passport Holders 2026: Full List by Continent
Updated list of countries Saudis can enter without a prior visa, countries offering visa-on-arrival or fast e-visa, organised by continent.
The Saudi passport opens 90+ countries with no prior visa or via visa-on-arrival, per the Henley Passport Index and our official sources. This guide breaks countries down by continent and access type — with a standing warning: rules change, so before booking a ticket, always verify on the destination country's embassy site or the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Access types
| Type | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full visa-free | Enter directly with your passport, no prior procedure |
| Visa-on-arrival (VoA) | Visa issued at the arrival airport, usually for a fee, in minutes |
| e-Visa | Apply online before travel; issued in hours or days |
| Prior visa (required) | Traditional embassy route, not included in this list |
Asia
Gulf and Middle East (visa-free)
- UAE: national ID or passport.
- Bahrain: ID or passport via King Fahd Causeway or airport.
- Kuwait: with passport.
- Qatar: with passport.
- Oman: with passport.
- Jordan: with passport (free visa on arrival).
- Egypt: usually requires a visa, but exemptions apply for seniors or specific categories.
- Lebanon: visa on arrival for tourism.
- Iraq: visa on arrival for religious tourism.
Central Asia and the Caucasus
- Turkey: full visa-free 90 days (tourism).
- Georgia: visa-free 90 days.
- Azerbaijan: fast e-Visa (~24 hours).
- Kyrgyzstan: visa-free for limited months.
- Kazakhstan: visa-free 30 days.
- Uzbekistan: e-Visa.
- Tajikistan: e-Visa.
East Asia
- Japan: full visa-free 90 days (tourism).
- South Korea: K-ETA e-authorisation (like US ESTA) — easy.
- China: standard tourist visa or 72-144 hour transit in specific cities.
- Hong Kong: visa-free 14 days.
- Macau: visa-free 30 days.
Southeast Asia
- Malaysia: visa-free 90 days.
- Indonesia: visa on arrival 30 days + extension possible.
- Thailand: visa-free 30 days (tourism).
- Philippines: visa on arrival.
- Singapore: eased tourism visa.
- Cambodia: fast e-Visa.
- Laos: visa on arrival.
- Brunei: visa-free 14 days.
- Vietnam: e-Visa.
South Asia
- Sri Lanka: fast e-Visa.
- Maldives: visa-free 30 days on arrival.
- Nepal: visa on arrival.
- Bangladesh: visa on arrival.
- India: tourism e-Visa.
- Pakistan: prior visa required.
Africa
Arab North Africa
- Morocco: visa-free 90 days.
- Tunisia: visa-free 90 days.
- Algeria: prior visa.
- Mauritania: visa on arrival.
- Sudan: prior visa.
East and South
- Ethiopia: e-Visa.
- Kenya: fast e-Travel authorisation.
- Tanzania: visa on arrival.
- Seychelles: visa-free 30 days.
- Mauritius: visa-free 60 days.
- Rwanda: visa on arrival or e-Visa.
- South Africa: prior visa.
- Uganda: e-Visa.
- Zambia and Zimbabwe: visa on arrival.
Europe
No Schengen exemption exists. But:
- Turkey (non-EU): visa-free 90 days.
- Serbia: visa-free for limited periods.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: visa-free 90 days under conditions.
- Albania: seasonal exemptions for Saudis (verify).
- Georgia (sometimes counted European): visa-free 90 days.
The Americas
No US-region exemption. But:
- Brazil: prior visa.
- Argentina: prior visa.
- Ecuador: visa-free 90 days.
- Peru: prior visa.
- Panama: prior visa.
- Dominica: visa-free 21 days.
- Caribbean islands (Barbados, Saint Lucia…): most offer visa on arrival or short exemption.
- US, Canada, Mexico: prior visa.
Oceania
- Fiji: visa-free 4 months.
- Palau: visa-free 30 days.
- Samoa: visa-free 60 days.
- Marshall Islands: visa-free 90 days.
- Australia and New Zealand: prior visa.
Key travel tips
- Always verify with the destination embassy before booking: this list may update overnight.
- Passport must be valid for more than 6 months from date of entry.
- Some countries require return tickets even under "visa-free."
- Some countries require travel insurance even for visa-free (notably Turkey at certain airports).
- If your passport has a US or UK refusal stamp: some countries may ask about it.
- Official verification sources:
- Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs for travel alerts.
- Destination country's embassy online.
- IATA Travel Centre for airline-grade info.
Related articles
Saudi Passport Global Ranking — Where Are We?
According to the Henley Passport Index — the world's most widely-referenced passport ranking — the Saudi passport has ranked between the 60th and 65th globally in recent years, out of nearly 200 passports. Numbers aren't fixed, but the general trend: noticeable improvement since 2019 driven by several new agreements.
Other indices give slightly different numbers because of differing methodologies:
| Index | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Henley Passport Index | Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access (IATA data) |
| Arton Passport Index | Multi-dimensional access weighted by unique destinations |
| Nomad Passport Index | Combines travel rights, tax, and culture |
For a Saudi, the practical impact: your passport grants free access to over 90 countries, but remains weaker than comparable Gulf passports (an Emirati passport ranks around 9th globally).
New Agreements Opening Doors
The Kingdom signed bilateral agreements easing entry for its citizens to several countries in recent years, most notably:
- Japan (2024): full 90-day exemption — a major leap; Japan previously required a prior visa.
- South Korea (K-ETA): eased entry with a quick electronic application instead of the paper visa.
- European Union (upcoming ETIAS): an electronic travel authorization similar to UK ETA becomes mandatory in 2026 for some nationalities including Saudis to enter Schengen — not a visa, but a fast prior registration.
- United Kingdom (ETA): since 2024, Saudis need an Electronic Travel Authorization instead of the traditional visa to enter the UK as tourists for up to 6 months — much simpler than the previous visa.
- China (2024 onwards): expanded free-transit system to 240 hours in select cities, provided arrival and departure are from different countries.
These changes mean: your list from 3 years ago differs from today's list. Check for updates before every trip.
Types of Saudi Passports Beyond the Ordinary One
The passport in your hand is likely the Ordinary Passport. The Kingdom also issues:
- Special Passport: for senior state employees during official missions — opens additional countries.
- Diplomatic Passport: for the diplomatic corps and members of the ruling family — highest access level.
- Hajj Passport: temporary, for pilgrims from countries without full Saudi consular representation.
Each type has different exemption lists. The list above covers only the ordinary passport. For official details: General Directorate of Passports — gdp.gov.sa.
Sources:
الأسئلة الشائعة
The Saudi passport gives visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to 90+ countries (per the Henley Passport Index and official sources as of 2025). The number is volatile — always verify on the destination country's embassy site before travel.
Visa-free: enter directly with your passport, no visa needed. Visa-on-arrival (VoA): issued at the airport on arrival (may be free or paid). e-Visa: apply online before travel, issued within minutes or days.
Yes, Saudis enter the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman with national ID or passport, no visa needed. Residence and work require additional procedures.
No Schengen European country currently waives visas for Saudis. Turkey (outside the EU) allows Saudi tourists visa-free for 90 days. Serbia and Bosnia allow limited-time visa-free entry. Check each country's embassy before travel.
No. Visa policies change — temporary suspensions, new agreements, diplomatic issues. This list is current as of September 2026, but verifying with the destination embassy before booking is mandatory.
Part of the series: Passport & Travel
Article 2 of 4Issuing and renewing the passport, visa-free destinations, foreign visas, and Hajj/Umrah permits.
- 1.Saudi Passport Guide 2026, Issuance, Renewal, and FeesPillar guide
- 2.Visa-Free Countries for Saudi Passport Holders 2026: Full List by Continent
- 3.Foreign Visas for Saudis 2026: Schengen, US, UK, Canada — Requirements & Steps
- 4.Nusuk Platform 2026: Umrah & Hajj Permits, Booking, and Overseas Pilgrims
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