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Saudi Arabia

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
4,519
Top destination, 2023
Türkiye
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
63,097
UK visas issued, 2025
8,105
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
5.8%
NationalitySAISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<SASAUDI<ARABIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
SA6<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Saudi Arabia need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomNo visa; electronic travel authorisation (ETA) requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 90 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Saudi Arabia move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Türkiye1,048
  2. Japan552
  3. Australia550
  4. United States520
  5. Germany465
  6. South Korea428
  7. Canada235
  8. Switzerland230
  9. Netherlands125
  10. France118
  11. Austria78
  12. New Zealand54
  13. Sweden33
  14. Italy32
  15. Hungary15

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

6,12812k200020032006200920122015201820212023
6,12812k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20003,270
20014,932
20024,023
20031,409
20041,713
20052,483
20063,217
20073,702
20083,103
20093,403
20104,178
20114,594
20126,212
20139,130
201410,262
201512,256
20166,226
20176,220
20185,695
20198,019
20202,631
20213,574
20225,097
20234,519
Share going to the top destination
23.2%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Saudi Arabia who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Türkiye61,221
  2. Libya40,027
  3. Canada35,996
  4. Palestine24,923
  5. Australia14,397
  6. India10,381
  7. Indonesia8,877
  8. Sweden8,610
  9. United Arab Emirates6,157
  10. Algeria3,992
  11. Egypt3,490
  12. Kuwait2,406

Living abroad by year

118k237k19901995200020052010201520202024
118k237k19902000201020202024
Data table
199073,557
199591,112
2000113,266
2005110,937
2010143,733
2015159,958
2020215,551
2024236,699
Living abroad, 2024
236,699
Change since 2000
+109.0%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
25.9%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Saudi Arabia by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B248,273
  2. A26,740
  3. F13,572
  4. F21,188
  5. D863
  6. J1507
  7. A1376
  8. M1329
  9. L2246
  10. G2224

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

43k86k201720182019202020212022202320242025
43k86k20172019202120232025
Data table
201752,538
201886,135
201985,420
202030,217
202120,068
202253,052
202375,851
202469,824
202563,097
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR1291
  2. E3147
  3. IR2130
  4. DV101
  5. F495
  6. E282
  7. F376
  8. CR176
Immigrant visas, FY2025
1,234
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
48
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Saudi Arabia who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Saudi Arabia with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

1,5203,0402015201620172018201920202021202220232024
1,5203,040201520172019202120232024
Data table
20151,740
20162,120
20172,140
20182,100
20192,510
20201,850
20211,780
20222,760
20233,040
20242,700
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens1,040
  2. Employment-based preferences700
  3. Diversity visa lottery390
  4. Family-sponsored preferences320
  5. Refugees and asylees250
  6. Other classes10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Spouses and children550
  2. Specialty occupations (H-1B)510
  3. Intracompany transferees (L-1)460
  4. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)100
  5. Other temporary workers20
  6. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Saudi Arabia)
2,700
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Saudi Arabia)
1,600
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
99,110
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Saudi Arabia (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Saudi Arabia (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Study6,787
  2. Visitor467
  3. Work419
  4. Other411
  5. Family21

Visas issued by year

73k146k201020122014201620182020202220242025
73k146k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201077,021
201185,749
201294,625
2013110,222
2014116,426
2015121,652
2016132,857
2017124,595
2018144,730
2019146,198
202029,369
202154,999
202241,960
202314,259
20248,726
20258,105
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
9,725
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Saudi Arabia, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
202501,18062510530
202401,18062523025
202301,02553023550
2022081050529020
2021087557041065
2020071076518070
201907851,27531055
201801,2102,95531090
201701,2305,340210105
201601,1855,84517030
201507508,18515520
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Saudi Arabia, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

7132005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
7132005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–064
2006–074
2007–082
2008–097
2009–108
2010–118
2011–1212
2012–135
2013–146
2014–153
2015–165
2016–178
2017–189
2018–193
2019–206
2020–211
2021–225
2022–235
2023–248
2024–256
2025–2613
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Specialist Skills8
  2. Core Skills5
Granted, 2025–26
13
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Saudi Arabia living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

5141,0282012201420162018202220242025
5141,0282012201420162018202220242025
Data table
2012716
2013963
20141,028
20151,007
2016926
2017736
2018666
2019573
2022462
2023403
2024289
2025323
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Student74
  2. Designated Activities71
  3. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services60
  4. Dependent47
  5. Spouse or Child of Japanese National26
  6. Permanent Resident20
  7. Business Manager10
  8. Professor7
  9. Highly Skilled Professional4
  10. Cultural Activities3
Residents, December 2025
323
In work-related statuses
81
Share in work-related statuses
25.1%
Students
74
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Saudi Arabia

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Saudi Arabia, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
France191,388179,96510,0615.3%
Spain62,95559,9511,7132.7%
Italy50,41048,2302,0904.1%
Germany43,88339,8033,8728.8%
Switzerland37,22535,1272,0375.5%
Greece25,97523,2542,4179.3%
Austria24,78223,7051,0624.3%
Netherlands22,32420,2241,6867.6%
Portugal17,10315,2339695.7%
Czechia14,67213,9477144.9%
Sweden4,2632,9051,31230.8%
Belgium2,7782,20943415.6%
Denmark2,6442,3172609.8%
Poland1,4481,21422615.6%
Hungary1,4131,22319013.4%

Applications by year

253k505k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
253k505k200920122015201820212024
Data table
2009138,326
2010170,029
2011196,327
2012255,083
2013277,332
2014308,879
2015367,028
2016345,006
2017334,786
2018360,287
2019394,200
202047,152
2021173,485
2022357,764
2023428,954
2024505,455
Refusal rate, 2024
5.8%
Refusal rate, 2019
5.6%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Saudi Arabia in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Education683
  2. Other reasons329
  3. Family257
  4. Work188
First permits by country
  1. Switzerland255
  2. Spain223
  3. France190
  4. Germany177
  5. Netherlands141
  6. Ireland132
  7. Italy79
  8. Poland38
  9. Finland31
  10. Greece31
  11. Portugal26
  12. Austria25
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card29
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)66
  3. Researchers11
  4. Other paid activities82
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
70
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
143
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
3,926
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
190
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
6,679
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
220
Changed status into work, 2025
33
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
15
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
2
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Saudi Arabia in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark20251155001
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland202524-2
Austria20254653-7
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Saudi Arabia

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Saudi Arabia, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Afghanistan11—
Albania1——
Algeria1——
Argentina1——
Australia1——
Austria1——
Azerbaijan1——
Bahrain1——
Bangladesh1——
Belgium1——
Benin1——
Bosnia and Herzegovina1——
Brazil1——
Brunei1——
Bulgaria1——
Burkina Faso1——
Cameroon1——
Canada1——
Chad1——
Chile1——
China11—
Comoros1——
Cuba1——
Czechia1——
Côte d’Ivoire1——
DR Congo1——
Djibouti1——
Egypt1——
Eritrea1——
Ethiopia1——
Finland1——
France11—
Gabon1——
Gambia1——
Georgia1——
Germany11—
Ghana1——
Greece1——
Guinea1——
Hungary1——
India1——
Indonesia11—
Iraq1——
Ireland1——
Italy1——
Japan11—
Jordan1——
Kazakhstan1——
Kenya1——
Kosovo1——
Kuwait1——
Kyrgyzstan1——
Lebanon1——
Liberia1——
Libya1——
Madagascar1——
Malaysia11—
Maldives1——
Mali1——
Malta1——
Mauritania1——
Mauritius1——
Mexico1——
Morocco11—
Mozambique1——
Myanmar1——
Nepal1——
Netherlands1——
New Zealand1——
Niger1——
Nigeria1——
Norway1——
Oman1——
Pakistan1——
Palestine11—
Peru1——
Philippines12—
Poland1——
Portugal1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
Senegal1——
Serbia1——
Sierra Leone1——
Singapore1——
Somalia1——
South Africa1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Sri Lanka1——
Sudan1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Syria1——
Tajikistan1——
Tanzania1——
Thailand1——
Tunisia1——
Turkmenistan1——
Türkiye11—
Uganda1——
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates1—1
United Kingdom1—1
United States—2—
Uruguay1——
Uzbekistan1——
Venezuela1——
Vietnam1——
Yemen1——
Zambia1——
Countries
111
Missions
126
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Saudi Arabia, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

17635120052008201120142017202020232025
176351200520092013201720212025
Data table
200594
2006106
2007123
2008216
2009214
2010236
2011244
2012246
2013269
2014273
2015295
2016317
2017291
2018335
2019334
2020302
2021295
2022287
2023312
2024338
2025351
Remittances received, 2025
US$351 million
Share of GDP, 2025
0.03%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Saudi Arabia

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Saudi Arabia → France
  • Saudi Arabia → United States
  • Saudi Arabia → Spain
  • Saudi Arabia → Italy
  • Saudi Arabia → Germany
  • Saudi Arabia → Switzerland
  • Saudi Arabia → Greece
  • Saudi Arabia → Austria
  • Saudi Arabia → Netherlands
  • Saudi Arabia → Portugal
  • Saudi Arabia → Czechia
  • Saudi Arabia → Türkiye
  • Saudi Arabia → Japan
  • Saudi Arabia → Canada
  • Saudi Arabia → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more