Saudi Arabia is reopening its doors — literally and spiritually — to transit travelers with the return of its stopover visa, giving visitors up to 96 hours to explore, reflect, and roam. And this time, the perks go beyond tourism.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has brought back its stopover visa, offering travelers transiting with Saudia or Flynas a chance to pause and take in the Kingdom’s history, spirituality, and hospitality. Passengers can stay for up to four days and, in a major addition, are now eligible to perform Umrah during their stop.
First introduced in 2023, the visa was designed to position the Kingdom as more than just a flyover country. Now, in 2025, it’s returning with a renewed push to attract both religious pilgrims and culture-hungry tourists — all in transit.
A New Gateway for Umrah, at No Extra Cost
One of the standout features of the revived stopover visa is its link to spiritual travel.
The visa now officially permits eligible travelers to perform Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca. Travelers can also visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. This change is seen as a move to widen access to religious sites, particularly for Muslims in transit who may not have the means or time for a full pilgrimage.
To complete the spiritual itinerary, visitors need to register their Umrah plan via the Nusuk platform, an online portal developed by Saudi authorities to manage pilgrimage logistics. While the visa itself is free, passengers do have to pay for standard electronic processing, insurance, and medical fees as per MOFA regulations.
This is a big deal for the Muslim diaspora — especially those flying between Asia, Europe, and Africa — as Saudi Arabia becomes a spiritual pit stop without the burden of applying for a full tourist or religious visa.
How the Application Process Works
Applying for the stopover visa is now baked into the flight booking experience.
When passengers book tickets through Saudia or Flynas, the visa option will automatically appear if the itinerary qualifies. Once confirmed, the electronic visa is typically issued within four hours and sent via email. The Ministry says the entire system is seamless, with no extra paperwork required beyond the usual flight details.
It’s worth noting that the visa is only offered to passengers transiting through Saudi Arabia, not those beginning or ending their journey there. That caveat makes this visa a sweet spot for travelers going from, say, Jakarta to London or Cairo to Mumbai, with a stop in Riyadh or Jeddah.
Tourism, Heritage — and a Soft Power Nudge
The Saudi government clearly wants travelers to get more than just a layover meal. It wants them to experience the Kingdom, even if it’s just for a few hours.
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Visit UNESCO-listed sites like Diriyah
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Explore souks, museums, and mosques in Jeddah and Riyadh
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Take desert excursions or dine in centuries-old districts
The stopover visa program is part of Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious reform strategy to diversify the Saudi economy beyond oil. Tourism is one of its biggest bets, and the stopover initiative is aimed at funneling some of the 60+ million international flyers who pass over Saudi airspace each year into actual visitors.
A government official familiar with the rollout said, “We’re turning layovers into opportunities.”
Still a Work in Progress — With Fine Print
Despite the warm welcome, not everything is as flexible as it seems.
There are conditions travelers should keep in mind. The stopover visa:
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Is only available via Saudia and Flynas bookings
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Allows stays up to 96 hours, not longer
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Requires an onward ticket
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Is not valid for employment or business activity
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Comes with standard e-visa processing fees
Here’s a quick look at how it stacks up compared to similar regional offerings:
| Feature | Saudi Stopover Visa | UAE Transit Visa | Qatar Transit Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Up to 96 hours | 48-96 hours | 96 hours |
| Airlines | Saudia, Flynas only | Emirates, Etihad | Qatar Airways only |
| Umrah Access | Yes | No | No |
| Application | During flight booking | Separate form | Airline website |
| Cost | Free + fees | ~$50 | Free |
One traveler who recently tested the new visa told a local outlet, “It felt surprisingly easy. I stopped in Riyadh on my way to Nairobi and visited Diriyah and did Umrah. It was surreal — like a two-day pilgrimage and vacation in one.”
The Bigger Picture: Saudi’s Tourist Pivot
The visa news comes as Saudi Arabia doubles down on becoming a tourism hotspot.
Since 2023, the Kingdom has opened luxury resorts along the Red Sea, revamped historical cities like AlUla, and pushed digital visa systems to make entry less of a bureaucratic maze. The Saudi Tourism Authority aims to welcome over 100 million visitors a year by the end of the decade.
And these stopover travelers — many of them young, digital-savvy, and time-constrained — are exactly the type the Kingdom wants to impress. They may spend just three days now, but the hope is they’ll return for longer.
Or better yet, they’ll post that perfect sunset photo from a Riyadh rooftop and send the next wave of curious tourists clicking.
