Saudi Arabia eVisa 2026: Which 66 Countries Made the List?

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Saudi Arabia has confirmed 66 countries whose citizens can apply for an eVisa in 2026, opening the Kingdom to a broad range of nationalities but leaving much of Africa out. Only three African countries feature on the list, a gap that has drawn attention across the continent and beyond.

Which Countries Are Eligible for the Saudi eVisa in 2026?

The Kingdom’s updated eVisa framework covers 66 nationalities, spanning Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and parts of Latin America. The list reflects Saudi Arabia’s push to grow inbound tourism as part of Vision 2030, which targets 150 million annual visitors by the end of the decade.

Travelers from eligible countries can apply online without visiting an embassy, paying the visa fee digitally and receiving approval before they fly. The process is designed to reduce friction for high-spending tourist markets.

Why Are Only 3 African Countries Included?

Africa, a continent of 54 nations, has just three countries represented on the 2026 eVisa eligibility list. The identities of those three countries were reported by Tuko News in its original report.

Critics argue the narrow African representation limits economic and cultural exchange, particularly given the large African diaspora living and working across the Gulf. Many African passport holders who reside in the UAE or Qatar, for example, still face the traditional embassy-based visa route for Saudi Arabia.

Why It Matters for the Gulf

For residents of the UAE and broader GCC, the eVisa list has direct practical consequences. Millions of expatriates living in the Gulf hold passports from countries outside the eligible 66, meaning a weekend trip to Riyadh, AlUla, or Diriyah still requires a more involved visa application.

UAE residents who hold passports from eligible nations benefit the most, able to book and visa-process in one sitting. Those from ineligible countries, including large communities of South Asians and Africans working across the Emirates and Saudi Arabia itself, must plan further ahead.

Gulf tour operators have noted that ease of visa access is one of the single biggest factors driving or deterring cross-border leisure travel in the region.

A Quick Look at the eVisa Coverage by Region

• Europe: Strong representation, including most EU member states and the UK
• Asia-Pacific: Key markets such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand included
• Americas: United States, Canada, and several Latin American nations eligible
• Africa: Only 3 of 54 countries included
• Middle East: GCC nationals generally hold separate entry arrangements outside the standard eVisa framework

How Does the Saudi eVisa Work?

Eligible nationals apply through the official Saudi tourism portal, submitting a passport scan, photo, and payment online. Approvals typically arrive within minutes to a few days. The visa covers tourism, visiting friends and family, and attending events, with a standard validity of up to one year and multiple entries permitted.

Saudi Arabia introduced the tourist eVisa in 2019, initially covering 49 countries. The 2026 expansion to 66 reflects steady growth in the program, even as the African gap remains a sticking point for advocacy groups and travel industry observers.

What Does This Mean for African Travelers Hoping to Visit Saudi Arabia?

For the vast majority of African passport holders, a visa on arrival or an embassy-issued sticker visa remains the only route into the Kingdom. Saudi consulates process these applications in several African capitals, but the process is slower and less convenient than the eVisa alternative.

There is no public timeline for expanding the eVisa list to more African nations, though Saudi tourism authorities have signaled intent to broaden access as the Vision 2030 tourism targets draw closer.

If your country is not on Saudi Arabia’s 2026 eVisa list, would you still make the effort to apply through a traditional route, or does the extra step put you off the trip entirely? Share your thoughts in the comments below.