Once opened to Muslim pilgrims visiting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia has made tourist visas available to non-religious travellers for the first time as part of its move to diversify its economy away from oil.

Obtainable via Saudi embassies and consulates across the world, the tourist visa allows for a stay in the country of up to three months (90 days). It will be valid for one year, with multiple entries allowed. The cost of applying for an e-visa or a visa on arrival is 440 Saudi Riyal (USD117) + value-added tax.
In addition, citizens from 49 countries will also be able to apply for an e-visa online or obtain a visa on arrival into Saudi Arabia. A dedicated online portal at VisitSaudi.com has been launched and electronic kiosks are available at airports. For help planning a trip, VisitSaudi.com has tips on everything from currency to climate, laws, etiquette, and the 13 regions of the kingdom. Saudi Arabia is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, vibrant cities, and natural wonders like the Red Sea has world-class diving without crowds, the Asir Mountains, and the sprawling Empty Quarter, rock-hewn Madain Saleh is the Arabian peninsula's greatest archaeological treasure, Medina has an enchanting old city made of coral, so there’s plenty to see and do. 

If you are a Malaysian citizen looking to visit Saudi Arabia, there are exciting changes that will make applying for a Saudi visa quick and easy. Although there is no tourist-visa type as of yet, Saudi Arabia is going to introduce an eVisa option available only to a group of selected countries, which includes Malaysia so you could discover the warm hospitality of Saudi people: rich heritage, vibrant culture, and diverse and breathtaking landscapes. 

To apply for a Saudi electronic visa (also known as an eVisa), Malaysian citizens can fill out their Saudi Arabia online application form by providing a few details about themselves and their trip. The Saudi Arabia visa application only takes a few minutes and you only need to include basic information such as passport details (number and expiration date), personal details (name, address, date of birth), and a basic travel itinerary (accommodations, plans, activities, etc.)

Once the form has been sent and the payment submitted, applicants will have to wait between 24 to 72 hours for the eVisa approval. High demand or additional paperwork might delay the response, but once it is processed, travelers will receive the eVisa at the email address provided in the form.

Once you have set foot in Saudi Arabia, you will be asked to present your Malaysian passport along with a copy of the Saudi Arabia eVisa that was emailed to you. After handing over the documents to the border security officer, they will check you into the system and you will be allowed to proceed with your visit.

This will be the easiest visa to obtain because it can be done online and has a quick processing time. Likewise, travelers will not need to have an interview or visit the embassy in order to receive their visa: it is an electronic document that will be delivered via email.

Foreign female visitors are exempted from wearing the obligatory head-to-toe abaya robe, but they will still be required to dress modestly, avoiding tight fitting clothing or clothes with profane language or images. Women should cover shoulders and knees in public. Mecca, meanwhile, remains off-limits for non-Muslims. 

Opening Saudi Arabia to tourism is a key milestone in the implementation of Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its dependence on oil. In the first phase of the programme, from 2019 to 2022, the focus will be on attracting first-time visitors to discover Saudi.