Saudi Arabia

Visas

Singapore passport holders require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. Tourist e-visas may be applied for online at visa.visitsaudi.com ↗ (opens in new tab). Singapore passport holders may also be granted a visa on arrival. However, we recommend that Singaporeans apply for an e-visa in advance to avoid delays on arrival. All e-visas include mandatory health insurance. However, we recommend that you purchase additional health insurance coverage as the mandatory health insurance only provides minimal coverage.

From 30 January 2023, those transiting in Saudi Arabia may also apply for a stopover visa. The stopover visa allows those in transit to enter Saudi Arabia and can be applied for at the time of booking flights through either Saudia Airlines or flynas. Please refer to Saudia Airlines’ ↗ (opens in new tab) and flynas’ ↗ (opens in new tab) websites for more information, including the terms and conditions, for stopover visas.

A separate visa is required for Haj pilgrimages. A Haj visa is non extendable.

As visa requirements may change at short notice, we advise you to contact the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Singapore at +65 6734 5875 or sgemb@mofa.gov.sa for the latest visa requirements or for further clarifications.  

Regardless of the type of visa you hold, your passport must have an expiry date of at least six months from the date you arrive.

Singaporeans intending to travel to the desert and other nature parks in Saudi Arabia should ensure that they are accompanied by an experienced guide and bring along a GPS device if possible. Singaporeans in urban areas should also be aware of their surroundings, especially during high profile events.

Singaporeans visiting Saudi Arabia should familiarise themselves with Saudi laws and regulations, and abide by them.

All travellers entering or departing Saudi Arabia must comply with the prevailing customs declaration procedures/requirements as indicated on the Saudi Customs website at https://zatca.gov.sa/en/Pages/default.aspx ↗ (opens in new tab). Travellers should also be prepared to pay the applicable customs duties and value-added tax that may be imposed. Alcohol, pork, and pork products are not allowed. Anyone caught trying to smuggle such items into Saudi Arabia or are found in possession of such contraband will be punished severely. There are also strict penalties for anyone found consuming or in possession of weapons and narcotics, and strict laws against pornography. Special approval must also be obtained to bring in religious books

The penalties for drug offences in Saudi Arabia are severe. Individuals arrested on suspected drug offences may face a long period of detention with limited consular access. Drug dealing and smuggling could result in the death penalty. Travellers who require medication should always have a prescription with them.

During the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, eating, drinking, and smoking in public are disallowed between dawn and dusk.

Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon and may result in prosecution. Homosexual activities could also result in prosecution.

Demonstrations or other forms of public dissent are illegal. Saudi Arabia also has strict laws against making remarks, both offline and online, critical of the royal family and the government.

There are stiff penalties for over-stayers. Visitors should thus check and abide by the validity of their visas.

The city of Makkah and parts of the city of Madinah are off-limits to non-Muslims. Trespassing into these areas may result in prosecution.

Although the abaya (a loose, long fabric worn over other clothing that covers the body from the shoulders to the wrists and the ankles) is no longer mandatory for women, many women continue to don the abaya when out in public. In some areas, women are also expected to cover their head and hair. Both men and women should not wear clothing with offensive images or language. Travellers to Saudi Arabia should also avoid displaying political symbols. Travel groups should avoid taking photos or displaying their banners in sensitive areas like the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah.

The Saudi government takes a serious stance against pilgrims performing Haj without a valid permit. Pilgrims from Singapore should only perform Haj with an official Haj Permit, such as the MUIS-administered Haj quotas.

The weather in Saudi Arabia gets extremely hot in the summer period between May and September. In July and August, temperatures can go as high as 50 degrees Celsius during the day. The air is also very dry. Please stay well hydrated at all times. In the cooler months, the temperature at night could go as low as 10 degrees Celsius in the cities, and below 0 degrees Celsius in the desert. Some areas are also prone to flooding, especially in the months of November and February.

During the Haj, those not performing the Haj may not be permitted to enter Saudi Arabia from Jeddah, Madinah and Taif Airports. Passengers would need a Haj visa to board flights bound for these cities. You would still be able to enter Saudi Arabia through other airports.

There have been instances of scams involving the Haj and Umrah pilgrimage. Pilgrims should ensure that their tour operator is reputable before booking their packages.

Driving standards can vary and serious accidents on roads can happen. Drivers should exercise caution and keep to travelling on major roads as far as possible.

Please refer to MFA’s general travel advice for Singaporeans ↗ (opens in new tab) before you travel overseas.