🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

🇪🇷EritreaSA-ER

Saudi Arabia to Eritrea visa requirements

Q: Is there an Eritrea eVisa for Saudi citizens?

No. Eritrea has no electronic visa system. All applications are handled through diplomatic missions with a physical sticker or stamp visa.

Q: How long does the Eritrea visa take to process?

Plan for a minimum of 15 business days. It is advisable to apply 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow for delays and passport return.

Q: How long can I stay in Eritrea on a tourist visa?

The tourist visa typically permits a stay of up to 30 days, and extensions can be requested at the immigration office in Asmara.

Q: Do I need a permit to travel outside Asmara?

Yes. A separate internal travel permit is required to visit most destinations outside the capital, and independent travel is restricted.

Q: Is Eritrea part of the Schengen area?

No. Eritrea is in the Horn of Africa and is not a Schengen country, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply.

Saudi Arabia ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter Eritrea. It must be obtained in advance from an Eritrean embassy or consulate as a paper/sticker visa. There is no eVisa and no visa on arrival. Eritrea requires all Saudi Arabian (ordinary passport) travelers to obtain a visa before arrival. Eritrea does not operate an eVisa system, an electronic travel authorization, or a visa-on-arrival facility, so the only legal channel is an embassy or consular sticker/stamp visa applied for ahead of travel. Applicants submit the official Eritrean application form (B62 series) together with their passport (valid at least 6 months with blank pages), a recent photo, proof of funds, and supporting travel documents (return flight and accommodation bookings). Processing typically takes a minimum of 15 business days, and the visa is generally valid for 3 months from issue with a one-month permitted stay that can be extended at immigration in Asmara. Eritrea is in the Horn of Africa and is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Travelers should also note that movement inside Eritrea is restricted: a separate internal travel permit is required to visit many destinations outside Asmara, and independent tourism is heavily controlled. As of 2026-05-30 there is no unilateral visa waiver or visa-free arrangement between Saudi Arabia and Eritrea, so the verdict is firmly visa-required.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Embassy/consular tourist visa (sticker/stamp)

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days (extendable in Asmara)

per entry

Entries

Single entry (typical)

from issue date

Visa fee

USD 50 base visa fee (approx. SAR 188) plus service/photo charges

consular fee only

Processing time

Minimum 15 business days

standard track

Validity

3 months from date of issue

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm you need a visa

As a Saudi ordinary passport holder you must obtain an Eritrean visa before travel. No eVisa or visa on arrival exists, so plan well ahead.

· Visa required· Apply in advance

/02

Locate the Eritrean embassy or consulate

Apply at the Eritrean diplomatic mission accredited to Saudi Arabia (or your country of residence). Confirm current opening hours, submission method, and whether postal or in-person submission is accepted.

· Embassy/consulate· Verify intake method

/03

Complete the application form

Fill in the official Eritrean visa application (B62 series) accurately. Attach a recent passport-style photo with a white background (35x45mm).

· Form B62· Passport photo

/04

Assemble supporting documents

Prepare your passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages), proof of funds, return flight reservation, and accommodation booking. Some missions request an invitation or tour-operator booking.

· Passport· Funds + bookings

/05

Submit and pay the fee

Lodge the application with your passport and pay the visa fee plus any service charges. Keep your receipt and any tracking reference.

· Pay fee· Keep receipt

/06

Collect the visa and plan internal permits

Allow at least 15 business days. After collecting your visa, arrange an internal travel permit in Asmara if you plan to leave the capital.

· 15+ business days· Internal travel permit

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

Saudi Arabia -> Eritrea · Embassy/consular tourist visa (sticker/stamp)

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredPassport valid 6+ months beyond travel with at least 2 blank visa pages

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredCompleted Eritrean visa application form (B62 series)

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

required

RequiredRecent passport photo, white background (35x45mm)

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredVisa fee plus service/photo charges (cash or as instructed)

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredReturn or onward flight reservation

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RecommendedConfirmed accommodation booking in Eritrea

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RecommendedInvitation letter or registered tour-operator itinerary

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RecommendedInternal travel permit for destinations outside Asmara

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

OptionalYellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from an endemic area

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

optional

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesEmbassy of Eritrea - Visa Section (official)Wikipedia - Visa requirements for Saudi citizens Wikipedia - Visa policy of Eritrea

Application link included: Embassy of Eritrea - Visa Section (official)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist visa feeUSD 50Base consular fee; equivalent approx. SAR 188

Service/processing feeUSD 10Charged by some missions; varies

Photo printing feeUSD 13Where the mission prints/provides photos

Courier/return postageUSD 15-30Optional, if passport is returned by mail

Total estimateUSD 50 — USD 100incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard embassy processing

Minimum 15 business days

Apply by post or in person at the Eritrean mission; the only official channel for a tourist visa.

Early application buffer

4-6 weeks before travel

Recommended lead time to absorb delays, document requests, and passport return.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

No eVisa or visa-on-arrival facility

Eritrea does not issue electronic visas or grant visas at the border, so all travelers must obtain an embassy/consular visa in advance.

High

/02

No visa-waiver agreement with Saudi Arabia

There is no bilateral or unilateral visa-free arrangement covering Saudi ordinary passport holders.

High

/03

Strict immigration control

Eritrea tightly controls entry and internal movement, requiring advance visas and separate permits for travel outside Asmara.

Medium

/04

Documentation and processing burden

Multiple supporting documents and a minimum 15-business-day processing window make advance planning essential.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30

Saudi Arabia to Eritrea route verified

Confirmed via the official Eritrean Embassy visa page and Wikipedia visa-requirement listings that Saudi ordinary passport holders need an embassy-issued visa; no eVisa or visa on arrival exists, and Eritrea is not in the Schengen area.

/09 — The questions