If you are transiting through Saudi Arabia on Saudia or flynas, you can leave the airport and explore the Kingdom for up to 96 hours — completely free of charge. The Saudi stopover visa is one of the most generous transit programmes in the world, and it is transforming brief layovers into mini-holidays. Whether you want to explore historic Jeddah, see Riyadh’s UNESCO-listed Diriyah, or even perform Umrah, this guide — part of our comprehensive Saudi Arabia Visa Guide — explains exactly how the programme works, who qualifies, and how to make the most of your 96 hours in the Kingdom.
Duration: Up to 96 hours (4 days)
Cost: Free — only SAR 40–100 (~$10–27) for mandatory health insurance
Eligible Airlines: Saudia (SV) and flynas (XY) only
Visa Required: Stopover visa — issued electronically
Airports: Jeddah (JED), Riyadh (RUH), Dammam (DMM)
Bonus: Free one-night hotel stay (Saudia passengers, subject to availability)
Avoid: Applying after check-in — you must apply before travel via the airline website
What Is the Saudi Stopover Visa?
Launched as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 tourism drive, the stopover visa allows international travellers with a connecting flight through the Kingdom to leave the airport and explore Saudi Arabia for up to four days. Unlike the standard Saudi tourist e-visa (which costs SAR 535), the stopover visa is free — you only pay a small administrative and mandatory health insurance fee of approximately SAR 40–100.
The programme is designed to convert transit passengers into tourists. Saudi Arabia handles millions of connecting passengers annually at its three major hubs — King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam — and the stopover visa turns what would be a sterile airport wait into a genuine travel experience.
Who Is Eligible for the Stopover Visa?
The stopover visa is available to travellers meeting these criteria:
- Airline requirement: You must be flying with Saudia Airlines (SV) or flynas (XY). Other airlines do not qualify.
- Connecting flight: Your itinerary must include a layover in Saudi Arabia between 12 and 96 hours, with both origin and final destination outside the Kingdom.
- Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
- Confirmed onward ticket: You must hold confirmed departure tickets exiting Saudi Arabia.
- Book your international flight on saudia.com with a connecting stop in Jeddah, Riyadh, or Dammam (layover 12–96 hours).
- During booking, select the “Stopover Visa” option when prompted.
- Fill in your passport details and travel information.
- Pay the mandatory health insurance fee (SAR 40–100).
- Receive your electronic visa by email — typically within minutes, maximum 4 hours.
- Book your connecting flight on flynas.com with a Saudi layover.
- Apply for the stopover visa through the flynas website portal.
- Your application is automatically submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The electronic visa is emailed within a maximum of 4 hours.
- Tourism and sightseeing — visit any city or attraction in Saudi Arabia
- Perform Umrah — register through Nusuk.sa to book an Umrah slot during your stopover
- Visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina
- Attend events — concerts, sporting events, cultural festivals
- Business meetings — informal meetings are permitted
- Driving — with an approved international driving licence
- Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah) — the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town with coral-stone merchant houses, Ottoman-era architecture, and winding souqs. Walk through Bab Makkah gate and explore Naseef House.
- Jeddah Corniche — 30 km of waterfront promenade with the iconic King Fahd Fountain, open-air sculpture museum, and seafood restaurants.
- Al-Rahmah Mosque — the iconic “Floating Mosque” built over the Red Sea, particularly photogenic at sunset.
- Red Sea diving — world-class reef diving is accessible on half-day trips from Jeddah’s Obhur Creek.
- Day trip to Umrah — Makkah is just 80 km from Jeddah; with Nusuk registration, you can perform Umrah and return the same day.
- Diriyah (At-Turaif) — the UNESCO World Heritage Site where the first Saudi state was founded in 1727. The mud-brick ruins of At-Turaif district are stunning, and the adjacent Bujairi Terrace offers upscale dining.
- Masmak Fortress — the 19th-century clay fort in central Riyadh where King Abdulaziz launched his campaign to unify Saudi Arabia in 1902.
- Kingdom Centre Tower — the iconic sky bridge observation deck offering 360-degree views across the city.
- Boulevard Riyadh City — the entertainment mega-zone with restaurants, events, and attractions.
- Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) — a dramatic cliff edge 90 minutes from central Riyadh, overlooking an ancient seabed. Best as a half-day trip.
- Al Khobar Corniche — waterfront promenade looking out toward Bahrain, lined with cafes and restaurants.
- Half Moon Bay — a sweeping beach popular with families, ideal for swimming and water sports.
- Ithra (King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture) — a world-class museum and cultural centre in Dhahran with rotating exhibitions and an IMAX theatre.
- Tarout Island — one of the oldest inhabited places in the Arabian Peninsula, with a ruined Portuguese-era fort and traditional markets.
- Obtain your stopover visa through Saudia or flynas as described above.
- Register on Nusuk.sa — the official Saudi platform for Umrah bookings. You must book an Umrah appointment slot.
- Travel to Makkah — from Jeddah airport, Makkah is approximately 80 km (1 hour by car). The Haramain High-Speed Train connects Jeddah to Makkah in around 30 minutes.
- Perform Umrah — complete the rites (Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i) within your allocated time slot.
- Return to Jeddah — for your onward flight within the 96-hour window.
- Jeddah (JED): Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Uber, Careem) available 24/7. City centre is 20 minutes away.
- Riyadh (RUH): 35 minutes to central Riyadh by taxi/ride-hail. The Riyadh Metro now connects key districts.
- Dammam (DMM): 30 minutes to Dammam city, 45 minutes to Al Khobar by taxi.
- Comfortable walking shoes — historic districts involve cobblestones and uneven terrain
- Modest clothing — shoulders and knees covered in public (applies to all genders)
- Sunscreen and a hat — temperatures can exceed 40°C in summer months
- A light power bank — long days of sightseeing
- October–March: Ideal for sightseeing — pleasant temperatures (20–30°C), perfect for exploring outdoor attractions like Diriyah, the Edge of the World, or Jeddah’s Corniche.
- Ramadan period: A special cultural experience but with limited daytime dining options. Evening iftars are extraordinary. Check dates as they shift annually.
- April–September: Extremely hot (40–50°C). Focus on indoor attractions, malls, and evening activities. Air-conditioned museums like Ithra are perfect.
- Event seasons: The Riyadh Season (Oct–Mar) and Jeddah Season (Jun–Jul) offer concerts, festivals, and entertainment that can justify a stopover alone.
- Saudi Arabia Visa Guide 2026 — Every visa type, cost, and requirement explained
- Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa Cost — Full fee breakdown for the standard e-visa
- Jeddah Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea gateway
- Riyadh Travel Guide 2026 — Everything to see and do in the Saudi capital
- Hajj 2026 Guide — Planning your pilgrimage to the Holy Cities
- Saudi Arabia Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to visiting the Kingdom
Eligible Nationalities
The e-stopover visa is available to travellers whose journeys originate from or are bound for one of the following approved countries:
| Region | Eligible Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe | United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Greece |
| Americas | United States, Canada |
| Asia-Pacific | China (incl. Hong Kong & Macau), Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Maldives |
| Other | Turkey, Mauritius |
Important: You must hold a valid visa for at least one of the listed countries AND have previously used that visa to enter the country. Simply having a ticket to/from one of these destinations is not sufficient — prior travel history is checked.
Travellers from countries not on this list may still qualify for the standard Saudi tourist e-visa, which is available to citizens of 63+ countries and can be applied for independently of your airline.
How to Apply for the Stopover Visa
The application process is integrated into the airline booking flow:
For Saudia Airlines Passengers
For flynas Passengers
Tip: You can apply up to 90 days before your travel date. Don’t leave it until the day of travel — apply when you book your flights to avoid any delays.
What Does the Stopover Visa Cost?
The visa itself is free. However, you will pay:
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | SAR 0 (free) | No government visa charge |
| Health insurance | SAR 40–100 (~$10–27) | Mandatory; covers medical emergencies up to SAR 100,000 |
| Total | SAR 40–100 | Compared to SAR 535 for a standard tourist e-visa |
For Saudia passengers, the deal gets even better: the airline offers a complimentary one-night hotel stay at selected hotels in Jeddah and Riyadh, subject to availability. This is included automatically when your stopover visa is approved — no separate booking required.
What Can You Do on a Stopover Visa?
The 96-hour window is surprisingly generous. Here is what the visa permits:
Restriction: The stopover visa cannot be used for Hajj. If you wish to perform Hajj, you must apply for a dedicated Hajj visa through the Nusuk platform.
Best Ways to Spend 96 Hours in Saudi Arabia
Four days is enough to experience a Saudi city properly. Here are the best options depending on which airport you land at:
Stopover in Jeddah (JED)
Jeddah is the gateway to the Red Sea coast and home to one of Saudi Arabia’s most atmospheric old quarters. A 96-hour Jeddah stopover could include:
For a full breakdown of Jeddah’s attractions, see our Jeddah Travel Guide.
Stopover in Riyadh (RUH)
Riyadh rewards transit visitors with a mix of ancient heritage and futuristic ambition:
Read our full Riyadh Travel Guide for detailed neighbourhood breakdowns and day-trip options.
Stopover in Dammam (DMM)
Eastern Province offers a different side of Saudi Arabia — quieter, more local, with excellent seafood:
See our Dammam & Al Khobar Travel Guide for the complete Eastern Province experience.
Stopover Visa vs Tourist E-Visa: Which Do You Need?
If you are simply transiting and want to explore during your layover, the stopover visa is the obvious choice. But here is how the two compare:
| Feature | Stopover Visa | Tourist E-Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (+ SAR 40–100 insurance) | SAR 535 (incl. insurance) |
| Duration | Up to 96 hours | Up to 90 days per entry |
| Validity | Single entry, tied to your transit | 1 year, multiple entry |
| Eligible airlines | Saudia & flynas only | Any airline |
| Nationalities | 19 country routes | 63+ countries |
| Umrah permitted | Yes (via Nusuk) | Yes (via Nusuk) |
| Hajj permitted | No | No |
| Hotel benefit | Free 1-night (Saudia) | None |
If your nationality qualifies for the tourist e-visa and you plan to spend more than 4 days, or if you are flying with a non-eligible airline, the tourist e-visa is your only option. For short layovers on Saudia or flynas, the stopover visa saves you over SAR 400.
Performing Umrah on a Stopover Visa
One of the most popular uses of the stopover visa is performing Umrah during a brief layover in Jeddah. Here is how it works:
Note: While the stopover visa permits Umrah, it does not permit Hajj. If you are planning to perform Hajj, you need a dedicated Hajj visa — see our Hajj 2026 Guide for details.
Practical Tips for Stopover Visa Holders
Timing Your Layover
The visa requires a minimum 12-hour layover. For a meaningful stopover experience, aim for at least 24–48 hours. With the full 96 hours, you could visit two cities (e.g., fly Jeddah to Riyadh domestically and explore both).
Transport from the Airport
Accommodation
Saudia passengers receive a complimentary one-night hotel stay at selected partner hotels (subject to availability). Beyond that, you can book independently through any platform. Budget options start from SAR 150–250/night; mid-range hotels run SAR 400–800. See our Saudi Arabia Hotels Guide for recommendations by city.
Health Insurance
The mandatory insurance included with your stopover visa covers medical emergencies up to SAR 100,000 (~$27,000). It is automatically assigned during the application process — you do not need to arrange separate travel insurance for the stopover period, though comprehensive coverage for your entire journey is still recommended.
What to Pack for a Brief Stopover
24-Hour Tourist Helpline
Saudi Arabia operates a 24-hour tourist support line at 930 (from within Saudi Arabia). For pre-arrival queries, contact the Saudi Tourism Authority through Visit Saudi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a stopover visa if I’m flying with Emirates, Qatar Airways, or other airlines?
No. The stopover visa is exclusively available to passengers flying with Saudia Airlines or flynas. If you’re on another airline, you’ll need to apply for a standard tourist e-visa (SAR 535) to leave the airport during your layover.
Do I need to book a hotel to get the stopover visa?
No. Hotel booking is not a requirement for the visa application. Saudia offers a complimentary hotel night, but this is a bonus, not a prerequisite.
Can I extend my stopover beyond 96 hours?
No. The stopover visa is strictly limited to 96 hours. If you overstay, you may face fines and future travel restrictions. If you need more time, apply for a tourist e-visa instead.
Is the stopover visa available for one-way tickets?
No. You must have confirmed entry and exit flights through Saudi Arabia — the visa is tied to your transit itinerary. Both flights must be on Saudia or flynas.
Can I visit multiple cities during my 96 hours?
Yes. There are no restrictions on internal travel within Saudi Arabia during your stopover. You can take domestic flights between Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam, or use the Haramain High-Speed Train between Jeddah, Makkah, and Medina.
What happens if my connecting flight is cancelled?
If your onward flight is cancelled or rescheduled by the airline, your stopover visa remains valid for the original 96-hour window. Contact the airline to rebook within your visa validity period.
Best Time to Use the Stopover Visa
Saudi Arabia is a year-round destination, but the best months for a stopover depend on your activities: