Saudi Arabia E-Visa (Online for VisitSaudi.com)

Intro

The Saudi Arabia e-visa is the main online travel authorization for tourists, families, and Umrah travelers visiting the Kingdom. Citizens of over 60 eligible countries, GCC residents, and holders of valid US, UK, or Schengen tourist or business visas can apply entirely through visa.visitsaudi.com, with no embassy visit required. A digital photo is uploaded during the application. The portal requires exactly a 200×200 pixel image (a pixel-only dimension unique to this digital portal, not a measurement in centimeters or inches). This page covers all Saudi Arabia e-visa photo requirements so your upload passes on the first attempt.

Photo requirements at a glance

The Saudi visa photo size for the visitsaudi.com online portal is specified in pixels, not centimeters or inches. All values below are drawn from the official visitsaudi.com photo specifications page.

Specification	Requirement
Dimensions	200×200 pixels
File size	5 KB to 100 KB
Background	Plain white, no pattern
Shadows on background	None permitted
Shadows on face	None permitted
Color	Color photograph; black-and-white not acceptable
Photo age	No more than 6 months old
Face coverage	70%–80% of the image (approx. 1.4"×1.6" chin to crown)
Head position	Square to camera; slight rotation or tilt of face permitted
Ear and cheek visibility	Both ears and cheeks clearly visible
Framing	Close-up of face and top of shoulders
Headwear	Religious headwear only; full face from chin to forehead visible
Other persons or objects	None permitted in frame
Submission method	Digital upload only; not suitable for printing

File format: The official visitsaudi.com photo specifications page does not explicitly list accepted file formats. Check the format field directly on the portal when you reach the upload step.

Why these specs matter

The Saudi eVisa runs entirely online, so the photo check happens at upload rather than at a staffed counter. Getting the numbers right before you start matters.

The 200×200 pixel dimension is the exact canvas the portal expects. Uploading a different size will fail the submission. The face must fill between 70% and 80% of that canvas, measured from the chin to the crown at approximately 1.4"×1.6": this keeps the face large enough for identification without cropping the surrounding context. The file must weigh between 5 KB and 100 KB. The lower bound prevents files compressed past usable detail; the upper bound matches what the portal accepts.

The background must be plain white with no shadows or pattern. A shadow from overhead lighting, or from standing too close to a wall, shifts the background away from solid white and triggers a rejection. No shadows should be visible on the face either. The photo must be taken within the past six months, so it shows your current appearance at the time of application.

All values on this page come from the official visitsaudi.com photo specifications.

How to take the photo with iShotAPhoto

Looking for a Saudi visa photo size online free option? iShotAPhoto produces the correctly sized 200×200 px file at no charge and works as a Saudi visa photo app on any device.

1. Open iShotAPhoto and select the Saudi Arabia e-visa (visitsaudi.com) document type.
2. Upload your photo. The AI compliance check validates it against the portal's photo requirements: background color, face coverage percentage, head position, and shadow detection.
3. Preview the compliant result at no cost before downloading.
4. Download the ready-to-upload digital file, free of charge.
5. Upload the file at the photo step on visa.visitsaudi.com when completing your application.

Because the portal accepts digital uploads only, no printed copy is needed for this step.

How to take it yourself with a phone

You can take a compliant Saudi evisa photo at home when you set up the light and background carefully.

1. Face a light source. Stand facing a window so natural daylight falls evenly across your face. Light coming from behind you creates shadows on the background, which the portal disallows.
2. Use a plain white background. A white wall, a large sheet of white paper, or white foam board all work. Any visible texture, off-white tone, or color in the background shifts it away from the required pure white.
3. Level the camera with your eyes. Prop the phone or ask someone else to hold it so the lens sits at eye height. A camera angled upward or downward skews the apparent head position.
4. Face the camera directly. Your head must be square to the camera, with both ears and cheeks clearly visible. A slight rotation of the face is acceptable; a visibly turned head is not.
5. Hold a neutral expression. Keep your mouth closed and both eyes open, looking directly at the lens. Avoid smiling or frowning.
6. Review the image before uploading. Check for shadows on the wall behind you, confirm no other person or object appears in the frame, and verify your face fills the correct proportion of the image.

Common rejection reasons

Head turned or at an angle. The portal requires the head to face square to the camera in portrait style. Side angles common in casual selfies are rejected. A slight face rotation is acceptable; a visibly turned or angled head is not.

Shadows on the background. No shadows may appear on the background. Shadows form when light comes from the side or above, or when you stand too close to the wall behind you. Facing a window and standing a few inches away from the background removes most shadow problems.

Shadows on the face. No shadows should be visible on the face. Uneven lighting from a single side source creates face shadows even when the background looks clean.

Face coverage outside the 70%–80% range. The face must occupy between 70% and 80% of the photo. A photo taken from too far away leaves the face underscaled. A close-up that crops the forehead or chin pushes coverage over 80%.

File size out of range. The file must be between 5 KB and 100 KB. Phone cameras at default settings produce files far larger than 100 KB that must be reduced before upload. Over-compressing to meet that ceiling can push the file below 5 KB.

Non-white or patterned background. The background must be plain white with no pattern. Cream, light grey, and off-white tones often appear white on a phone screen but fail a digital background check. Use a true white surface.

Other persons or objects in the frame. The photo must show only the applicant — no other people, group shots, or objects. Furniture or artwork visible behind you will cause rejection.

Non-religious headwear. Headwear is permitted only when worn for religious purposes. Hats and fashion accessories will cause rejection. Even when religious headwear is worn, the face from the tip of the chin to the forehead must remain fully visible.

Photo older than six months. The photo must have been taken within the past six months. Reusing an image from a previous visa application or identity document will likely fail this check.

Black-and-white or desaturated image. The portal requires a color photograph. Grayscale images, heavily filtered photos, and desaturated images are not accepted.

How iShotAPhoto compares to other options

The visitsaudi.com portal requires a 200×200 px digital file, a format that physical photo services are rarely set up to produce. The table below compares the main ways to get your photo ready.

Option	Cost	Time	Approval likelihood	Convenience
iShotAPhoto	Low	Quick	High when AI compliance check passes	High; works from any device or location
Pharmacy / drugstore	Moderate	Quick	Varies; staff may not know the digital e-visa pixel spec	Moderate
Photo studio	Premium	Moderate	Higher when the studio knows the visitsaudi.com spec	Low; requires an in-person visit
Passport photo booth	Low to moderate	Quick	Varies; booths typically output prints, not digital files	Moderate

Costs and times vary by region.

Country-specific notes

Saudi visa photo size 2026 (current requirements)

The Saudi Arabia e-visa photo requirements via visitsaudi.com are consistent in 2026: 200×200 pixels, file size 5–100 KB, plain white background, and face filling 70%–80% of the frame. These values come from the official visitsaudi.com photo specifications page and apply to the online digital process only.

Saudi Arabia visa photo size in cm (and in inches). Searches for the Saudi Arabia visa photo size in cm return figures such as 35×45 mm or 51×51 mm. Those measurements apply to physical visa sticker photos used for embassy or consulate applications, which is a different document type with different requirements. The visitsaudi.com online e-visa has no centimeter or inch dimension: the file must be exactly 200×200 pixels and is submitted digitally rather than printed.

Eligibility and process. Citizens of over 60 eligible countries, GCC residents, and holders of valid US, UK, or Schengen tourist or business visas can apply online or obtain a Visa on Arrival. The approved e-visa is delivered to the email address you provide during the application.

Visa validity. The Saudi e-visa is valid for one year, allows multiple entries, and permits stays of up to 90 days per visit.

Biometric data. Biometric details are captured by immigration authorities upon arrival in the Kingdom (not during the online photo upload).

Carry your approval. Visitors must carry a printed or digital copy of their e-visa approval upon first arrival.

The only authorized portal. visa.visitsaudi.com is the official website for the Saudi Arabia e-visa. Third-party websites claiming to process applications on your behalf are not officially sanctioned and may charge additional fees.

Special cases

Religious headwear. Headwear worn for religious reasons is permitted. When worn, the full face from the tip of the chin to the forehead must be clearly visible. The official specification also requires both ears and cheeks to be visible where the garment permits.

Glasses. The official visitsaudi.com photo specifications page does not address glasses. Check the portal directly at the time of application for any guidance on this point.

Umrah visa photo size. If you are researching the umrah visa photo size for this e-visa: the same 200×200 px digital spec applies. The tourist e-visa may be used for Umrah outside the Hajj season. Photo requirements remain the same regardless of travel purpose.

Permitted travel purposes. The e-visa covers tourism, family visits, Umrah outside the Hajj season, and event attendance. Paid work and studying are not permitted under this visa type.

Frequently asked questions

What size photo is required for the Saudi Arabia e-visa?

The photo must be exactly 200×200 pixels in both width and height, with a file size between 5 KB and 100 KB. Your face must fill 70%–80% of the image, measured from chin to crown at approximately 1.4"×1.6". The photo is submitted digitally only and is not suitable for printing.

What are the Saudi eVisa photo requirements?

The visitsaudi.com portal requires a 200×200 pixel color photograph with a file size of 5 KB to 100 KB. The background must be plain white with no shadows, patterns, or objects visible. The face must fill 70%–80% of the image. The photo must be no more than six months old, and your head must face square to the camera with both ears and cheeks clearly visible.

What background color is required for the Saudi e-visa photo?

The background must be plain white with no pattern. No shadows may appear on the background, and no other persons or objects may be visible in the frame. Off-white, cream, and light grey tones often look white on a phone screen but are likely to fail a digital check.

Can I wear a hijab or other religious headwear in my Saudi e-visa photo?

Yes. Headwear worn for religious reasons is permitted. When worn, the full face from the tip of the chin to the forehead must remain clearly visible. Headwear worn for non-religious reasons such as hats, caps, or fashion accessories is not permitted and will cause rejection.

How recent does the Saudi e-visa photo need to be?

The photo must be no more than six months old. Using an older image from a previous visa application or identity document will likely cause rejection. The photo should reflect your current appearance at the time you apply.

What are the common photo issues that cause Saudi eVisa rejection?

Common rejection causes documented on the official portal include: head turned or at an angle; shadows on the background or face; face coverage outside 70%–80%; file size outside 5–100 KB; non-white or patterned background; other persons or objects in the frame; non-religious headwear; photo older than six months; and black-and-white or desaturated photographs.

What is the Saudi Arabia visa photo size in cm?

The visitsaudi.com digital e-visa photo has no centimeter or inch dimension. It must be exactly 200×200 pixels and is submitted digitally. Measurements such as 35×45 mm or 51×51 mm appear in search results for Saudi visa photos, but those apply to physical visa sticker photos for embassy or consulate applications, a different process with different requirements.

Can I use the Saudi tourist e-visa for Umrah?

The tourist e-visa may be used for Umrah outside the Hajj season. The umrah visa photo size requirement for this e-visa is the same as for general tourism: 200×200 pixels, plain white background, submitted digitally.

How long is the Saudi e-visa valid and how long can I stay?

The e-visa is valid for one year from issue, allows multiple entries, and permits stays of up to 90 days per visit.

Where do I apply for the Saudi Arabia e-visa?

visa.visitsaudi.com is the only authorized website for the Saudi Arabia e-visa application. Third-party websites claiming to process applications on your behalf are not officially sanctioned and may charge additional fees. You must hold a valid email address to receive the approved e-visa.

Related documents

• Saudi Hajj visa
• Saudi Arabia passport
• Saudi Arabia work permit
• Saudi Arabia ID card

Official sources

• Saudi Arabia e-visa photo specifications — visa.visitsaudi.com
• Saudi Arabia e-visa portal — visa.visitsaudi.com
• Saudi Arabia e-visa terms and conditions — visa.visitsaudi.com