Saudi Arabia

Do South Africans need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

Yes — but it’s straightforward and the country has opened up fast to tourism. South Africans are eligible for the tourist Visitor e-visa (applied for online) or a visa on arrival at the main ports of entry. It’s a multi-entry visa valid for a year, allowing stays of up to 90 days, and approvals usually land within 24–48 hours. The e-visa bundles mandatory travel insurance into the fee. It also permits Umrah outside the Hajj season, not just tourism. Use a passport valid six-plus months; you can check requirements and apply online here.

A couple of important notes: non-Muslims are welcome to visit, but Mecca and central Medina remain off-limits to non-Muslims; and it’s a conservative, dry country (no alcohol).

The regional situation in 2026

As we checked it on 19 September 2026, the UK Foreign Office’s area warnings for Saudi Arabia cover only the Yemen border (all travel within 10km, all but essential travel from 10km to 80km). But it also describes two wider threats. Since July 2026, the Houthis in Yemen have launched attacks against Saudi territory and against Saudi shipping in the Red Sea. And although the US and Iran announced a memorandum of understanding on 17 June 2026, since 8 July there have been Iranian strikes across the region, aimed at US military and civilian infrastructure. The FCDO warns of a risk of further attacks, possible flight cancellations and short-notice airspace closures, and advises staying away from oil infrastructure and military facilities, sheltering indoors if told to, and never touching drone or missile fragments — the main danger to people nearby is falling debris from interceptions. Read the current advice and decide for yourself.

What it costs (in rand)

Saudi is at the pricier end — budget roughly R800–1,400 a day. Hotels and organised desert/heritage tours are the main costs, and tourism infrastructure in the headline spots (like AlUla) is premium. That said, local food is cheap and excellent, domestic flights are reasonable, and there are no alcohol or nightlife costs to blow the budget. It rewards a focused trip over a long one.

When to go

Go in the cooler months, November to March — summers are extreme (regularly 45°C+). Winter is comfortable for the desert, the heritage sites and the cities, and lines up with AlUla’s main events season. Factor in Ramadan (dates shift yearly), when daytime hours and dining change and the pace of everything slows.

Getting around

It’s a big country best linked by cheap, frequent domestic flights between Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla. Car hire and ride-hailing (Uber, Careem) are the norm on the ground; there’s little tourist public transport, though Riyadh now has a metro. For the desert and heritage sites, organised tours or a hired driver are the practical options. Confirm your tours and tickets for AlUla and Diriyah ahead, as capacity is managed.

What to actually do

The jewel is AlUla — the Nabataean tombs of Hegra (a quieter, crowd-free cousin of Petra), dramatic desert rockscapes and Elephant Rock. Add the restored mud-brick old town of Diriyah near Riyadh, the coral-stone alleys of historic Jeddah (Al-Balad), the cliff-edge Edge of the World, and Red Sea diving. It’s a destination for ancient history and raw desert landscapes rather than nightlife.

Honest take

Saudi is one of the most interesting “new” destinations on an SA passport — an easy e-visa, remarkable heritage, and far fewer crowds than the regional norm. Go in winter, respect the conservative local rules, and budget for a shorter, focused trip. Land with a data eSIM so maps and ride apps work on arrival. This year, keep an eye on the regional situation — check the FCDO’s current advice and your airline close to departure, and build some flexibility into your flights.