Saudi Arabia entry requirements for Norway passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Norwegian passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia. As of 2026, you can land at any international airport and buy a tourist visa at the immigration counter. It covers tourism, business meetings, and visiting family.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Tourist eVisa required | Apply for the Saudi tourist eVisa at visa.visitsaudi.com before you fly. The visa costs $135 USD and includes mandatory medical insurance — it's valid for 90 days with multiple entries. Approval usually comes within minutes, but apply at least 48 hours ahead to be safe.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for duration of stay | Your Norwegian passport needs to be valid for the entire period you plan to stay in Saudi Arabia. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by Saudi immigration, but airlines may enforce a 6-month rule — check with your carrier before check-in. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers at Saudi airports will ask for a confirmed return or onward ticket before they let you through. Have a printed copy or a digital version ready on your phone — they check this at the passport control counter. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to carry | While not always checked, having a hotel booking or an invitation letter from a host can speed things up if the officer asks. Keep a printed confirmation or a PDF on your phone. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to carry | Saudi immigration rarely asks for proof of funds, but carrying a bank statement or credit card showing sufficient balance (around $1,000 USD equivalent) covers you if questioned. No specific minimum is published. | Recommended |
Visa on arrival is straightforward
The self-service kiosks at Saudi airports are in English and take less than 5 minutes. Just have your passport and credit card ready. If you run into trouble, immigration officers are helpful.
Cash not accepted for visa fee
The visa on arrival fee must be paid by credit or debit card. Make sure your card is enabled for international transactions and has sufficient funds. Some kiosks also accept Apple Pay and Google Pay.
What happens at the border
1
Land at a Saudi international airport
Fly into any international airport in Saudi Arabia (e.g., King Khalid in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz in Jeddah, or King Fahd in Dammam). Follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Tourist Visa' counters after passport control.
2
Use the self-service kiosk or counter
At most airports, you'll find self-service kiosks where you can purchase the visa. Select 'Tourist Visa', enter your passport details, pay by card, and print the visa sticker. If no kiosk is available, go to the immigration counter directly.
3
Present your documents to the immigration officer
Hand over your passport (with the visa sticker if you used a kiosk), your return ticket, and your hotel booking. The officer will stamp your passport and let you through. Keep the visa sticker intact — it's valid for one year.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After immigration, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. There's no additional paperwork. You're free to enter Saudi Arabia.
Download Saudi Arabia Entry Checklist
PDF · Norway Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist eVisa (single entry)
Max stay30 days
Validity90 days from issue
CostSAR 480 (~$128 USD)
Apply online via official Saudi visa portal. Same as VoA but pre-arranged.
Tourist eVisa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days total per year
Validity1 year from issue
CostSAR 480 (~$128 USD)
Allows multiple entries. Good for frequent travellers.
Business Visa
Max stay30 days (extendable)
Validity3 months
CostSAR 500–1,000 (~$133–$267 USD)
Requires sponsor in Saudi Arabia. For business purposes.
work visa
Saudi Work Visa (Employment Visa)
1–2 years, renewable
Varies; employer typically pays
Requires a job offer from a Saudi employer who sponsors the visa. Includes residency permit (Iqama). Allows long-term stay and family sponsorship.
student visa
Saudi Student Visa
Duration of study program, renewable
Varies; often covered by scholarship
For enrolled students at Saudi universities or institutes. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funding. Allows part-time work with permission.
investor visa
Saudi Investor Visa (Business Visa)
1 year, renewable
SAR 2,000–5,000 (~$533–$1,333 USD)
For individuals investing in Saudi businesses or real estate. Requires proof of investment and a local sponsor. May lead to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (single entry)Valid for 90 days, max stay 30 days. Payable by credit card at airport. | SAR 480 (~$128 USD) |
| Tourist eVisa (single entry)Apply online before travel. Same validity as VoA. | SAR 480 (~$128 USD) |
| Tourist eVisa (multiple entry)Multiple entries allowed within 1 year, max stay 90 days total. | SAR 480 (~$128 USD) |
| Overstay fine (per day)No maximum cap mentioned officially; avoid overstay. | SAR 100 (~$27 USD) per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Saudi Arabia
No transit visa needed
Norway passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Saudi airports, provided they stay in the international transit area and have a confirmed onward ticket within 12 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or staying longer than 12 hours, a transit visa or tourist visa is required.
Transit hubsKing Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) · King Khalid International Airport (RUH) · King Fahd International Airport (DMM)
Health & vaccines for Saudi Arabia
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission (e.g., parts of Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)Low risk
Rare but serious; avoid contact with camels and raw camel milk.
Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk
Risk of traveler's diarrhea; drink bottled water and eat well-cooked food.
Heat-related illnessHigh risk
Extreme temperatures common; stay hydrated and avoid midday sun.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk is very low in urban areas; no prophylaxis recommended for most travellers. Risk exists in rural areas of the southwest (e.g., Jizan, Asir).
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Riyadh
General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat)
King Fahd Road, Riyadh 11134
Sun–Thu 08:00–14:30
Main office for visa extensions and residency matters. Bring passport, visa copy, and sponsor letter if applicable.
Jeddah
Jeddah Passport Office
Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Road, Al-Salamah District, Jeddah
Sun–Thu 08:00–14:30
Handles visa issues for pilgrims and tourists. Expect long queues during Hajj/Umrah seasons.
Practical information for NO travellers
Country basics
CapitalRiyadh
LanguageArabic
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license not valid. IDP required.
Money
CurrencySaudi Riyal (SAR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 3.75 SAR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+3
vs New York+8h (EST) / +7h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+11h (PST) / +10h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage220V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,B,GType G — UK-style plug. US plugs do not fit. Bring a UK/universal adapter.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Use bottled water. Tap water is desalinated but bottled is standard.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Saudi Arabia
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Saudi Arabia — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, all international airports in Saudi Arabia offer visa on arrival for Norwegian passport holders. This includes Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED), Dammam (DMM), and Medina (MED).
The tourist visa on arrival costs approximately 480–500 SAR (around 120–130 EUR). This includes basic health insurance. Payment is by credit or debit card only — no cash accepted.
The visa is valid for one year from the date of issue, and allows multiple entries. Each stay can be up to 90 days. You cannot extend it beyond 90 days per visit.
If you're transiting and staying airside (not passing through immigration), you don't need a visa. If you want to leave the airport during a layover, you'll need a transit visa or a tourist visa. The visa on arrival is available for transit passengers who want to exit the airport.
Yes, you can apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa online before you travel. It costs about the same and saves time at the airport. Apply through the official Saudi visa portal (visa.visitsaudi.com). Processing usually takes 1–3 business days.
You will be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry by Saudi immigration. Renew your passport before traveling. There are no exceptions.
No. Since 2019, women can travel to Saudi Arabia independently without a male guardian. The visa on arrival is available to all Norwegian passport holders regardless of gender.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.