Whether you’re someone who regularly visits Saudi Arabia or you plan to visit the country in 2026, we have news for you. Recently, there’s been an announcement regarding the single visa launch for six Gulf countries. 

To understand this better and what it means for you, keep reading this blog. Below, we will share all kinds of visas available and what has changed. We will also cover the specifics of applying for this visa.  

In case you wish to book a Saudi Arabia tour package or need visa assistance, get in touch with the leading travel agency, Next Holidays. You will be assisted in the best possible way.  

Types of Saudi Arabia Visa from UAE  



While Saudi Arabia offers a wide variety of visas, here are some of the most popular ones: 

• Tourist Visa: The tourism visa is for the purpose of exploring Saudi Arabia. From learning about the culture to going sightseeing, everything falls under this category. 
• Business Visa: Professionals who need to visit Saudi Arabia for the purpose of trade, conferences, business meetings, and such need to apply for a business visa. 
• Umrah Visa: Umrah visa allows travelers from the UAE to visit Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage.  

Other types of visas include employment visas, residence visas, family visit visas, government visas, diplomatic missions and organizations, and student visas.  

Book your 5 days Umrah tour package from UAE now! 

Saudi Arabia Visa for UAE Residents  

UAE residents are required to get a visa to visit Saudi Arabia. This also includes UAE citizens. However, it’s quite easy to obtain an eVisa for business, Umrah, and even tourism. Necessary documents must be presented, such as a valid passport, UAE residency with a minimum validity of 3 months, photographs, etc. We’ll come to this later in the blog.  

GCC Unified Visa: What Is it? 

Have you heard of the GCC unified visa? If not, let us introduce you to it. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) refers to the six Arab states in the Persian Gulf, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  

Recently, Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced that the Gulf’s long-planned unified visa will go live in 2026. The GCC Unified Visa allows all expats from GCC countries to obtain a 12-month, multiple-entry eVisa.  

The Saudi Arabia visa for UAE residents 2026 covers family visits, business, tourism, and Umrah (outside Hajj season). This means that the UAE residents get more flexibility than ever. What’s more, one can officially get the visa online within 30 minutes. Now, isn’t that a game-changer! 

Through the unified GCC visa, an individual can visit Saudi Arabia for a maximum of 90 days on each visit.  

GCC Resident Tourist Visa KSA Requirements 

To enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, all GCC residents need the following documents to obtain a tourist visa: 

• A passport with a validity of at least 6 months from the date of traveling 
• A valid residency Iqama or ID from a GCC country, which must be valid for at least 3 months 
• An online application form with the correct personal details and the reason for travel 
• Travel insurance 
• Recent photograph 
• Bank statements as proof of funds 
• Confirmed hotel and travel bookings 

Within just three working days of application submission, your eVisa will be approved by the KSA. 

Apply for your Saudi Arabia Visa from UAE here! 

Traveling to Saudi Arabia for Non-UAE Citizens 

You must be wondering: if you’re a UAE resident but not a citizen of the UAE, are you eligible to obtain the unified GCC visa? Well, since the visa is for all UAE residents, you are eligible. Whether we talk about the Saudi Arabia tourist visa for Indian passport holders residing in UAE or for passport holders of any other nationality, everyone is eligible to get a GCC visa with a valid GCC country residency.  

Once the unified GCC visa launches in 2026, each resident of a GCC country, including the UAE, will be eligible to get the visa. This includes all individuals who are not citizens of any of the Gulf countries but have a valid residency for a minimum of three months.  

Check out the top Saudi Arabia Holiday Packages from Dubai, UAE now! 

Umrah Visa Requirements for UAE Residents 2026 

Are you planning to visit Saudi Arabia from the UAE for the purpose of Umrah? If so, you will be eligible to get a unified GCC eVisa in 2026. However, this will only be outside of the Hajj season, which is expected to be from late May to early June.  

If you’d like to visit Saudi Arabia outside of the Hajj season, the Umrah visa requirements for UAE residents 2026 are: 

• A passport with a validity of at least 6 months from the date of traveling 
• UAE residency with a minimum validity of 3 months 
• Latest digital photo 
• Accommodation and travel bookings  
• Mandatory travel insurance 
• Online unified GCC visa application 
• Proof of sufficient funds 

Remember to state Umrah as the purpose of your travel to Saudi Arabia while applying for the visa. Once your application is complete and submitted, you will most likely receive an approval within 3 working days.  

Book your 6-day spiritual Umrah tour package from UAE now! 

How to Reach Saudi Arabia from UAE 



You can reach Saudi Arabia from the UAE by air and road. Once you have received the Saudi Arabia visa for UAE residents 2026, you are eligible to travel. 

By Air  

The fastest and most convenient way to reach Saudi Arabia from the UAE is by air. Several airlines offer direct flights from the UAE to Saudi Arabia, which allows you the flexibility to choose a flight with timings according to your comfort.  

You can take a flight from: 

• Dubai: Dubai International Airport (DXB)  
• Abu Dhabi: Zayed International Airport (AUH)  

Choose your destination in Saudi Arabia: 

• Riyadh: King Khalid International Airport (RUH) 
• Jeddah: King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) 
• Dammam: King Fahd International Airport (DMM) 
• Madinah: Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) 

Your flight journey will generally be under 4 hours since most of these are short distances. 

By Road 

You can travel by road to reach Saudi Arabia from the UAE. You can choose a bus or a car. 

• Bus: Buses operate from Dubai to Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, and Dammam. Several luxury bus operators are known for their UAE to Saudi Arabia buses. 
• Car: What’s more convenient than driving your own car to another country? Well, don’t forget to read the necessary driving from UAE to Saudi Arabia requirements 2026 below.  

If you’re traveling by bus and are visiting a closer city, such as Dammam, it will take around 10 hours to reach. However, if your destination is a place like Makkah, it can take nearly 20 hours. In the case of a car, it entirely depends on your driving as to when you reach your Saudi destination.  

Driving from UAE to Saudi Arabia Requirements 2026 



If you decide to drive your car from the UAE to Saudi Arabia in 2026, here are some requirements you must fulfill: 

• Valid passport and UAE residency 
• Multi-entry eVisa  
• Valid driving license 
• International Driving Permit (IDP) 
• Proof of ownership 
• GCC car insurance 
• Vehicle registration  
• Saudi car insurance (get it after crossing the border) 
• Temporary import permit (TIP) for Saudi Arabia 

Apart from having all the necessary documents with you, you must also take care of the driving rules. In case you are found not following any of these, such as not wearing a seatbelt, using your cellphone, or speeding beyond the limit, you will be fined.  

Plan Your Saudi Arabia Tour with Next Holidays 



If applying for the upcoming GCC eVisa seems like a hassle to you, you can always get in touch with us. At Next Holidays, we want our travelers to remain stress-free and enjoy their journeys as much as they can. If you like, you can also book a Saudi Arabia tour package from UAE and have an unforgettable vacation!