Saudi Arabia has opened up its borders as part of its program to increase tourism within the country and across the Middle East. Travelers can now apply for a simple and streamlined visa, known as the eVisa.
This page explains which documents are needed to obtain an eVisa for Saudi Arabia for French citizens, how to apply, and more information about travel documentation needed by applicants.
Saudi Arabia Visa Requirements for French Passport Holders
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requires all French citizens to have a valid Saudi Arabia visa before traveling to the country. There are many options, including business visas, diplomatic visas, and Hajj visas (for religious pilgrimage).
Since September 27th, 2019, French citizens have also been able to obtain an online Saudi Arabia tourist visa, which does not require a visit to an embassy or consulate. The Saudi tourist visa for French citizens is valid for a total of 1 year. Saudi Arabia eVisa holders are allowed to spend up to 90 consecutive days, for a total of 180 days during its validity. The eVisa for Saudi Arabia is available through a simple online application which only takes a few minutes to complete.
If you are a French citizen who is planning to travel to the kingdom, there are a few basic documents you must prepare before you can fill out the Saudi Arabia eVisa application. Make sure that:
- Your French passport must have at least 6 months validity from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
- You provide 1 recent passport size color photograph with a white background. Photograph(s) must be full-face shots in which the applicant is facing the camera directly.
- You pay the visa fee
You must provide all of the required information, which includes but is not limited to:
- Personal information (full name, address, date of birth, etc.)
- Passport details (number, expiration date, nationality, etc.)
- Travel data (accommodation address)
How to Apply for a Saudi Arabia Visa for French Nationals
French citizens will be pleased to hear that the process of applying for a Saudi Arabia visa is a simple and quick task. It is possible to apply for a visa to Saudi Arabia from the comfort of your own home. This can be done by going to the online application form and filling out the required details.
The Saudi Arabia visa application form only takes about 10 minutes to complete. Travelers are required to provide basic information such as personal details (name, address, date of birth), passport details (number and expiration date), and a basic travel itinerary (accommodation address, etc.).
After completing the form and submitting payment, travelers will need to wait for approval of their eVisa. This takes approximately 24 hours but can take up to 72 hours in some cases. Once processed, the eVisa will be sent to the traveler via email.
When the traveler arrives in Saudi Arabia, he/she will need to present their passport along with a copy of the eVisa in order to be granted access into the country.
Saudi Arabia Offers Online Visa Travel for French Citizens
French citizens planning to visit Saudi Arabia now have their chance to explore this fascinating country. This is thanks to a new initiative developed by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and his council.
Under the new program, travelers from almost 50 countries such as the United States, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, China, Germany, Canada, and France are able to travel to Saudi Arabia through a simplified visa process.
Visitors can apply for their electronic visa (eVisa) through an online application and receive an approval within 72 hours. This simplified visa puts an end to the notoriously hard process that travelers previously had to go through. Tourists now no longer have to endure applying in-person at an embassy, high rejection rates, and large quantities of paperwork. Now everything can be done from a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.
The eVisa to Saudi Arabia for French citizens includes a Mandatory Insurance Policy that is linked to the eVisa and is taken out on the traveler’s behalf at the moment of approval. The Mandatory Medical Insurance Policy is a requirement to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with a valid eVisa and current passport. The insurance provider is selected randomly by the Saudi government at the moment the eVisa is issued.
French citizens can travel to many interesting locations with a Saudi visa. Some of the country’s most sought-after travel experiences include a trip to the colorful city of Najran; the peaceful dunes of the Empty Quarter; and the breathtaking ledges of the Edge of the World. The 90-day permitted stay of the new online visa allows French travelers to take in most of the exciting attractions Saudi Arabia has to offer and return multiple times during its 1-year validity.
FAQ Saudi Arabia eVisa for French Citizens
A visa is absolutely essential to enter the country. Without correct authorization, you will not be approved for entry. The eVisa offers the simplest and quickest way to register for permission to enter the borders of Saudi Arabia.
Even so, it is possible for French citizens to travel to Saudi Arabia without a pre-acquired visa. French travelers are also eligible for a Visa on Arrival into the country.
However, This requires a longer immigration screening process on entry into Saudi Arabia. This is to allow border guards to check your individual identity documents and confirm a range of personal and security information with you in person.
French citizens do not need to visit the Saudi Arabian Embassy or consulate to register online for an eVisa. However, to attain another type of visa or for other inquiries, the Saudi embassy is the best point of contact.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Paris:
- Address: 5, Avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris, France
- Email: frembasy@mfa.gov.sa
- Fax: (+33) 1 56 79 4001
- Telephone: (+33) 1 56 79 4000
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 15:00