South Africa passport → Saudi Arabia

Do South African citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

Visa on arrival90 days

South African passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days. You do not need to apply before you fly.

Apply on the official site: visa.visitsaudi.com

What this means for your trip

Keep the visa fee ready, ideally in US dollars or the local currency, plus passport photos.
Expect to show a return ticket, hotel booking and proof of funds at the counter.
Some countries also offer the same visa online, which can save queueing on arrival.

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Saudi Arabia at a glance

Capital: Riyadh
Currency: Saudi riyal (SAR)
Languages: Arabic
Calling code: +966
Region: Western Asia

More about Saudi Arabia →

Saudi Arabia for other passports

South AfricaVisa on arrival90 days
IndiaVisa required
United StatesVisa on arrival90 days
United KingdomeTA180 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa-free
ChinaVisa on arrival90 days
SingaporeVisa on arrival90 days
PakistanVisa required
BangladeshVisa required
Sri LankaVisa required
NepalVisa required
NigeriaVisa required
PhilippinesVisa required

Nearby in Western Asia for South African passport holders

GeorgiaVisa-free365 days
OmanVisa-free14 days
PalestineVisa-free
QatarVisa-free30 days
ArmeniaVisa on arrival120 days
BahrainVisa on arrival14 days
JordanVisa on arrival30 days
IsraeleTA90 days

Common questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

South African passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days. You do not need to apply before you fly.

How long can South African citizens stay in Saudi Arabia?

Up to 90 days under the current visa on arrival rule. Longer stays need a different visa.

How many countries can South African citizens visit without a visa?

93 destinations allow entry without a visa arranged in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA). The South Africa passport ranks #47 of 94 (passports with equal scores share a rank).

Source: Wikipedia contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0). Updated weekly. Rules can change, so give the official site a quick look before you fly.