Saudi Transit Visa: How to Apply, Fees & More for Indian Citizens

The Saudi Arabia transit visa is a wonderful opportunity for Indian travellers to explore the beauty of Saudi Arabia during their layover. Whether you're interested in visiting cultural landmarks, experiencing warm hospitality, or performing Umrah, this visa allows a stay of up to 96 hours. The process is straightforward, with options to apply online via the Enjaz platform or offline at a Visa Application Centre. Ensure you apply at least 10 days before your travel to avoid any last-minute hassle. Dive into the details below for everything you need about Saudi transit visa requirements and fees.

Saudi Arabia received approximately 100 million visitors in 2023, up from 93 million in 2022, according to the Saudi Tourism Authority — a number that includes both tourists and transit travellers using the kingdom's position as a Gulf hub. For Indian travellers flying between India and Africa, Europe, or the Americas, a Saudi stopover is one of the most practical layover options available.

The transit visa is a Category B visa that authorises a single entry stay of up to 96 hours. It is not a tourist visa. The distinction matters: the transit visa is issued specifically for travellers who have a confirmed onward journey to a third country. An Indian national who applies for a transit visa with no confirmed onward travel documentation, or whose onward ticket destination is back to India, will face rejection at the consulate.

Within the 96 hours, there are no restrictions on movement within Saudi Arabia. You can travel between cities, visit religious sites including the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah and the Grand Mosque in Makkah for Umrah, check into hotels, or do nothing beyond the airport. The visa does not distinguish between these activities. What it does require is that you depart Saudi Arabia within 96 hours of entry.

The ENJAZ platform is the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs' digital visa service. It handles applications for multiple visa categories including transit. The online route requires no physical document submission and delivers the approved visa by email.

Step 1: Navigate to the ENJAZ platform at mofa.gov.sa and select "Individuals" from the service menu.

Step 2: Choose "Application for Visa from Saudi Missions Abroad."

Step 3: If you do not have an existing account, click "Register" and create one. Provide your name exactly as it appears on your passport, your email address, and your contact number. Verify your email before proceeding.

Step 4: Accept the terms and conditions to access the application form.

Step 5: On the application form, enter your passport details, travel dates, and the third-country destination to which you are transiting. Upload your 200 x 200 pixel photograph. Select "Transit Visa" as the visa category.

Step 6: Complete the remaining fields including your Saudi point of entry (the airport or land border), your intended departure date and time, and your onward flight details.

Step 7: Review all entries, pay the SAR 300 fee online, and submit. You will receive a confirmation reference number immediately. The visa decision arrives at the email address you registered within 3 to 4 working days.

The offline route goes through a Visa Application Centre and involves physical document submission. Indian nationals typically use this route when they prefer in-person confirmation of their submission or when their application has a complication the ENJAZ system cannot accommodate.

Step 1: Download the transit visa application form from VFS Global India or from your airline's website if the airline (Saudia or flynas) provides a dedicated form.

Step 2: Complete the form accurately. Name fields must match your passport exactly, including middle names if they appear on your passport.

Step 3: Assemble your documents: completed form, passport, photographs, and onward ticket confirmation.

Step 4: Visit the nearest Saudi Visa Application Centre in your city. Saudi VACs in India operate in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, and Ahmedabad. Check current hours at vfsglobal.com before visiting.

Step 5: Submit your application at the counter and pay the applicable fees. You will receive a submission receipt with a tracking reference.

Step 6: The approved visa is delivered by email or post, depending on the delivery option you selected at submission.

The document requirements differ meaningfully between the online and offline routes. Indian applicants choosing the online ENJAZ route have a significantly lighter documentation burden.

For online (ENJAZ) applications:

Your valid Indian passport is the only physical document required. The passport must have at least 6 months' validity beyond your intended travel dates and at least one blank page for entry stamps. A 200 x 200 pixel photograph uploaded digitally is required during the application form. You do not courier documents or visit any centre.

For offline (Visa Application Centre) applications:

For both routes, there is no requirement to submit bank statements, accommodation bookings, or employment letters. The transit visa is a lighter category specifically because its purpose is transitory, not settlement. Saudi consulates do not request financial proof for a 96-hour transit.

The SAR 300 fee is the consular fee set by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is non-refundable regardless of the visa outcome. For offline applications, the Visa Application Centre charges a service fee on top of the consular fee. VFS Global India charges typically range from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 for Saudi applications as of 2026, though verify the current rate at your VAC before visiting.

Both the online fee and the offline consular fee are non-refundable. The VAC service fee is also non-refundable once an application is submitted.

Standard processing for a Saudi Arabia transit visa is 3 to 4 working days after a complete application is submitted. This applies to both the online ENJAZ route and the offline VAC route, though offline applications may add 1 to 2 days for physical document handling at the VAC.

Teleport's visa specialists recommend applying at least 10 working days before your Saudi entry date. The 3 to 4 day standard can extend during Hajj and Ramadan seasons, when Saudi consular processing volumes are significantly higher than the year-round baseline. Applications submitted in the 4 to 6 weeks before Hajj dates have been known to take 7 to 10 working days during peak years.

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 tourism programme has substantially expanded what transit visitors can access. The 96-hour window is enough time for a meaningful stopover in one or two cities, not a rushed airport-only experience.

Riyadh: The historic Diriyah district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is approximately 30 minutes from King Khalid International Airport. Al-Ula and the Edge of the World (Jabal al-Qarah escarpment) require more travel time and are better suited to travellers with the full 96 hours in Riyadh.

Jeddah: King Abdulaziz International Airport connects to the Al-Balad historic district in under 20 minutes. Jeddah is also the closest major city to Makkah, making it the most practical base for Umrah during a transit.

Madinah: The Prophet's Mosque is accessible from Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah in under 15 minutes. Travellers connecting through Madinah can time their stopover to visit the mosque without a full-day transit.

Travellers on Saudia and flynas flights can access pre-packaged stopover programmes that include hotel, transport, and selected attraction access at bundled rates. These are airline products, not visa categories. The transit visa requirement and fee are the same regardless of which airline you fly.

To wrap up, getting a Saudi Arabia transit visa is a great way for Indian travellers to make the most of their layover. Whether you're applying online or offline, it's easy to complete the process and enjoy up to 96 hours of exploring Saudi Arabia. Make sure to apply at least 10 days before your trip to have a stress-free experience. Learn more about Saudi transit visa requirements, fees, and the application process to make your journey unforgettable!