Saudi Arabia Visa Without a US, UK or Schengen Visa: Indian Options

Saudi Arabia's official visa tool sorts Indian passport holders by what they already hold. If you have no qualifying US, UK or Schengen visa or residence and no GCC residence, the tool shows you the three routes below. The details are as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15: Visit Saudi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' KSA Visa platform, the Ministry of Tourism and Tasheer.

Which Saudi visas can you get without a Western visa?

No route has an official INR fee. KSA Visa publishes amounts in USD and Visit Saudi in Saudi riyals.

Does an unused or e-stamped Schengen visa count?

No. The eVisa (SAR 339.44, about USD 90.50, insurance extra) and visa on arrival (SAR 395, about USD 105.32, insurance included) are open only to Indians holding a valid US, UK or Schengen business or tourist visa that has been used at least once, with an entry stamp from the issuing country. Digital entry stamps are not accepted. A UK, US or EU permanent residence permit also qualifies.

So if your Schengen visa is new and unused, or your only entry was recorded digitally, you are in the same position as someone with no Western visa. The one other shortcut is GCC residence: Indians with a GCC residence visa valid at least 3 months beyond the entry date can apply for the eVisa on the KSA Visa portal.

How does the Package Visa work?

The Package Visa pilot launched on 6 July 2026, and India is on its eligible list, according to the Ministry of Tourism. You buy a package from one of four accredited agencies: Reserval, Almosafer, Webook.com or Almatar. The visa and travel insurance are issued when the booking is complete and sent by email.

• The package must include a confirmed hotel rated 4 stars or above, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, and a confirmed round-trip flight.
• Visit Saudi shows a package minimum of 4,000 per adult for the first two days plus 1,000 per extra day (shown in Saudi riyals), on top of the SAR 402.21 visa price.
• A package covers at most 9 tourists over 18 and up to 5 children.
• Trips last 2 to 88 days, and travel must start at least 48 hours after purchase.
• Packages exclude Makkah and Madinah.

This route suits a fixed holiday that you are happy to book entirely through an accredited agency. It does not suit pilgrims or independent travellers who want to arrange their own stay.

When is a Tasheer or embassy visa the better choice?

Choose the visit visa route if you want to perform Umrah, stay with family, or travel on your own plan. On the KSA Visa platform, the tourism visit visa lets Muslim visitors perform Umrah and visit Makkah and Madinah. Hajj is not permitted, and during the Hajj season entry is only through designated ports.

Visit Saudi's checklist for the Embassy/Consulate route asks for:

• Proof of residence in the country where you live (India).
• A return ticket and a flight itinerary.
• Proof of employment.
• Financial solvency, such as a bank statement.
• Identification, and your residence address in Saudi Arabia.
• A passport valid at least six months beyond the date of entry.

Tasheer runs the Saudi visa service centres in India. KSA Visa lists 11 authorised visa offices in India plus Saudi missions in New Delhi and Mumbai, while Tasheer's India portal lists 14 centres. You book online on the Tasheer portal or at the centre, where documents are checked, biometrics are recorded and fees are paid.

Can a stopover visa replace a tourist visa?

Only for a short break on the way somewhere else. The transit/stopover visa is tied to a Saudia or Flynas booking: you book the flight, and the visa is created and emailed once approved. It costs nothing as a visa, though Visit Saudi shows an application fee of roughly 39.50 riyals and insurance from about 13 riyals. If your trip has Saudi Arabia as the destination rather than a stop, use one of the other routes.

What should you check before you pay?

• Refund rules conflict. KSA Visa says rejected or cancelled applications are refunded automatically within 45 to 60 business days and marks the $80 visa fee refundable, while the two $10.5 digital-service fees are non-refundable. Visit Saudi's eVisa FAQ says tourist visa fees are non-refundable in any case. Fees cannot be refunded once a visa is issued.
• Age. You must be at least 18 to enter alone; under-18s travel only with a parent, grandparent or adult sibling.
• Timing. A Package Visa trip cannot start within 48 hours of purchase.
• Flights. For the Tasheer route, embassies generally advise against buying non-refundable tickets before the visa decision, so a verifiable reservation is the safer option.

Compare all routes and fees on our Saudi Arabia visa page for Indians, and confirm your eligibility on the official Visit Saudi visa tool.

For the embassy or Tasheer route, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares verifiable flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters. A flight reservation costs INR 1,000, and the full package with hotel, itinerary and cover letter is INR 3,000. Contact us on WhatsApp at +91 95230 91018 or via the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do Umrah without a US, UK or Schengen visa?

Yes. Muslims can apply for an Umrah visit visa through Nusuk ($80 plus the two $10.5 digital-service fees and insurance), and KSA Visa's tourism visit visa also allows Muslim visitors to perform Umrah. The Package Visa does not cover Makkah and Madinah.

Is there an official Saudi visa fee in rupees?

No. KSA Visa publishes fees in USD and Visit Saudi publishes them in Saudi riyals. Tasheer's service-centre charges in INR could not be verified from official pages.

How long can I stay on a Saudi visit visa from Tasheer?

KSA Visa lists a single-entry visa valid for 90 days and a multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year, with stays of up to 90 days in both cases.

Does a GCC residence visa let an Indian skip the Package Visa?

Yes, if the GCC residence visa is valid for at least 3 months beyond your entry date. You can then apply for the eVisa on the KSA Visa portal, priced at SAR 339.44 (about USD 90.50) with medical insurance extra.