Saudi Arabia has radically transformed its immigration policy since 2019. Gone is the closed Kingdom reserved for pilgrims and workers under kafala. Today, the country deploys a full range of visas for tourists, investors, entrepreneurs and international talents. Above all, it now offers a lifetime permanent residence (Saudi Green Card) that revolutionizes mobility codes in the Middle East. Dubai Small supports French and English speakers in all these steps, from express tourist visa application to obtaining Saudi premium residence, entirely remotely.
Saudi Arabia tourist visa: the simple gateway
The Saudi tourist visa (eVisa) is the most accessible. Launched in 2019, it is obtained online in minutes for 49 eligible countries (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, UK, USA, etc.). One-year validity, multiple entries, stay up to 90 days per 180-day period. Perfect for exploring Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Red Sea beaches or attending sports and cultural events. The application is made on the official portal visa.visitsaudi.com: passport valid 6 months minimum, digital ID photo, payment by card (around 535 SAR fees included). Response within 24-72 hours. No invitation letter required, no sponsor. The Kingdom is betting on tourism to diversify its economy (Vision 2030) and numbers are exploding: several million annual visitors since launch. This visa does NOT allow working or creating a company. Strictly recreation, discovery, family or friendly visit. For any professional activity, you must move to a business visa or work visa.
Business visa and work visa: strict framework
The Saudi business visa is intended for entrepreneurs, investors or executives on occasional professional travel (meeting, conference, contract negotiation). Short duration (14 to 90 days depending on type), issued upon invitation from a Saudi entity (local company, chamber of commerce, event organizer). The procedure goes through the Saudi sponsor who submits the application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Variable delay (1 to 3 weeks), moderate cost. This visa does not authorize continuous salaried employment. To work legally in Saudi Arabia as an employee, you need a work visa linked to an employment contract with a Saudi employer. This employer becomes your kafil (sponsor) and manages your residence (iqama). The traditional kafala system imposes total dependence on the sponsor: impossible to change employer without their agreement, impossible to leave the territory without exit authorization (exit re-entry visa). This constraint discourages many international talents. It is precisely to bypass this rigidity that lifetime permanent residence (Saudi Green Card) becomes an absolute game changer.
Saudi Arabia Green Card: lifetime permanent residence without kafala
The Saudi Premium Residence, commonly called Saudi Arabia Green Card, is the Kingdom's most advantageous immigration status. Launched in 2019, it grants lifetime permanent residence renewable free of charge, without sponsor, with the same rights as a Saudi citizen except voting and passport. The holder can live, work, invest, own real estate anywhere in the Kingdom, create and hold a company 100%, change employer freely, enter and exit without restriction. The family is covered (holder, spouse(s), children, dependent parents). Exclusive benefits: VIP lane at airports (Saudi citizen lanes), access to Hajj and Umrah under the same conditions as nationals with entry permit to Mecca, visa-free access to several countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Georgia, Oman, Tunisia, GCC countries), investment in Saudi stock exchange, rights maintained for family in case of holder's death. Renewal is free and rights are perpetual as long as minimum residence conditions are met (a few months per year on territory). Dubai Small supports obtaining this residence via the official investor route, reliable process supervised by the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA). Average delay 4 to 5 months, 100% remote procedures from anywhere in the world. Support price: from 120,000 EUR, payment terms to be agreed according to your situation. This amount covers the entire process, from initial file to permanent residence card delivery. No mandatory travel before obtaining (you come only once to finalize and collect your card). For any personalized question about your eligibility, required documents or schedule, contact our experts on WhatsApp.
Other special visas: Hajj, Umrah, transit
Saudi Arabia issues Hajj and Umrah visas reserved for Muslims for pilgrimages. The Hajj visa is annual, linked to the pilgrimage period (Dhul Hijjah), issued via quotas per country and approved agencies. The Umrah visa is available year-round (except Hajj period), valid 90 days, multiple entries possible. Since 2019, the Umrah visa also allows visiting the rest of the Kingdom (not only Mecca and Medina). Procedure via specialized travel agencies or official online platforms. Warning: access to Mecca and Medina FORBIDDEN to non-Muslims, even with tourist visa or residence. Only Muslims with Hajj/Umrah visa or Saudi permanent residence (Green Card) can access the holy cities. The transit visa exists for short stopovers (up to 96 hours) if you transit through a Saudi airport. Free or low cost depending on airline and nationality. Allows leaving the airport and discovering Riyadh or Jeddah quickly. Ideal for a stopover between long-haul flights.
Practical steps: documents and deadlines
Whatever type of Saudi Arabia visa targeted, some basic documents are systematic: passport valid minimum 6 months, recent biometric format ID photo, completed application form (online or paper depending on visa), proof of stay (hotel reservation, invitation letter, employment contract, proof of investment). For tourist visa, the procedure is automated on visa.visitsaudi.com. For business visa, the Saudi sponsor initiates the application. For Green Card, our team manages the entire file with you: business plan constitution, document verification, follow-up with MISA, coordination with local authorities, final visit preparation. Indicative 2026 deadlines: tourist eVisa 24-72h, business visa 1-3 weeks, work visa 2-6 weeks (depending on employer), Green Card 4-5 months. Variable costs: tourist eVisa around 535 SAR, business visa 200-1000 SAR depending on duration, work visa covered by employer, Green Card support from 120,000 EUR. No Saudi visa is free (except transit in some cases). Any application requires a non-refundable initial payment. To avoid errors and refusals, get supported by specialists who know Saudi administrative subtleties.
Why choose Dubai Small for your Saudi Arabia visa
From our Dubai base, we support French and English speakers in all their steps towards the Saudi Kingdom. Bilingual expertise (French/English), 24/7 responsiveness via WhatsApp, solid local network in Saudi Arabia. Whether you want a simple tourist eVisa to discover AlUla, a business visa to prospect the Saudi market, or lifetime permanent residence to invest and live freely, we simplify each step. Our Green Card support covers everything: profile analysis, investor file assembly, regular follow-up, coordination with authorities, final visit preparation, and permanent residence card delivery. You stay home for 4-5 months, we manage administrative back-and-forth. A single trip at the end to sign and collect your lifetime status. In parallel, we offer company creation in Dubai, rental of luxury vehicles (Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce 2025-2026), and premium activities (yacht, jet ski, desert safari). A global offer to succeed your Middle East installation, whether in the Emirates or Saudi Arabia. Contact us now for a personalized quote and launch your Saudi project in 2026.
Conclusion: your passport to the Kingdom in 2026
The Saudi Arabia visa is no longer an administrative headache reserved for insiders. Tourism, business, work, permanent residence: each profile finds its solution in 2026. The Kingdom invests massively to attract talents, capital and visitors as part of Vision 2030. The Saudi Green Card remains the ultimate option for those who want to settle serenely, invest without sponsor constraint, and enjoy total freedom of movement in the Middle East. Our Dubai team supports dozens of French and English-speaking families each year. Entrust us with your file, focus on your project. We take care of the rest. See you on WhatsApp +1 505 303 0893 to get started.
Frequently asked questions
What is the simplest visa to visit Saudi Arabia in 2026?
The Saudi tourist visa (eVisa) is the simplest. Available online for 49 countries (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, USA, UK, etc.), it is obtained in 24-72h on visa.visitsaudi.com. One-year validity, multiple entries, stay up to 90 days per 180-day period. Cost around 535 SAR fees included. No invitation letter or sponsor required. Perfect for tourism, family visit or cultural discovery.
Can you work in Saudi Arabia with a tourist visa?
No. The Saudi tourist visa strictly prohibits any professional activity, employment or company creation. It is reserved for recreation, discovery and visiting. To work legally, you need a work visa linked to a Saudi employer (kafala) or obtain lifetime permanent residence (Green Card) which allows working, investing and creating a company without sponsor.
What is the Saudi Arabia Green Card and who can obtain it?
The Saudi Green Card (Premium Residence) is a lifetime permanent residence without sponsor, renewable free of charge. It offers the same rights as a Saudi citizen: live, work, own property, create 100% company, enter/exit freely, VIP airport lane, Hajj and Umrah access. Accessible via official investor route, Dubai Small support from 120,000 EUR, 4-5 months delay, 100% remote.
How long does it take to get a Saudi business visa?
The Saudi business visa generally takes 1 to 3 weeks. It is issued upon invitation from a Saudi entity (local company, chamber of commerce, event organizer). The Saudi sponsor submits the application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Short stay duration (14 to 90 days depending on type). This visa does not authorize continuous employment or company creation.
Can non-Muslims obtain a visa for Mecca?
No. Access to Mecca and Medina is strictly reserved for Muslims, even with tourist visa or residence. Only Muslims with Hajj visa, Umrah visa or Saudi permanent residence (Green Card) can enter the holy cities. Hajj and Umrah visas are issued via national quotas and approved agencies, available only for Muslims.
Can Dubai Small help me obtain Saudi permanent residence?
Yes. Dubai Small supports French and English speakers to obtain the Saudi Arabia Green Card via the official investor route. 100% remote process, average delay 4-5 months, complete support from file to card delivery. Price from 120,000 EUR, payment terms to be agreed. Contact our experts on WhatsApp +1 505 303 0893 for a personalized study.
What documents are needed for a Saudi Arabia visa?
Basic documents: passport valid minimum 6 months, biometric ID photo, completed application form. For tourist visa: hotel reservation. For business visa: Saudi sponsor invitation letter. For work visa: Saudi employer contract. For Green Card: business plan, financial proofs, family documents. Dubai Small manages the entire Green Card file with you.
