The updated policy is part of the Kingdom's broader eVisa programme, which now covers citizens of 66 countries and territories eligible to apply for tourist visas through Saudi Arabia's digital platform without visiting an embassy or consulate.
According to Saudi authorities, the electronic visa is designed to simplify travel procedures, encourage international tourism and support the Kingdom's efforts to diversify its economy by attracting more foreign visitors.
The eVisa allows eligible travellers to visit Saudi Arabia for tourism, leisure activities, family visits and Umrah, but it does not cover travel for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which remains subject to separate visa regulations.
Applicants from approved countries can complete the entire process online, significantly reducing paperwork and eliminating the need for lengthy in-person visa applications.
However, under the updated 2026 eligibility list published on the Kingdom's official tourism portal, only three African countries qualified for the electronic visa programme:
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
- South Africa
The exclusion of most African nations—including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and several others—means citizens of those countries will continue to apply for Saudi visas through the standard consular process, subject to existing immigration requirements.
Saudi Arabia has continued to expand its tourism sector in recent years as part of its Vision 2030 agenda, introducing reforms aimed at making the country more accessible to international visitors while modernising its visa application system through digital services.