Preparing your Umrah
Saudi eVisa or Umrah visa rejected: understanding the refusal and reapplying
In short
A rejected Saudi eVisa is not final: the official platform says you can reapply at any time. First find the likely cause, most often a data-entry mistake, the photo, the passport or eligibility, then fix it before applying again. The visa fee is listed as refundable; the digital services fees are not.
Private service, not affiliated with the Saudi authorities.
How you are told about a refusal
Whether an application is approved or rejected, the official platform sends an email. In some cases it asks for more details or documents, by email or through a visit to the embassy. Before assuming a refusal, check your inbox, including the spam folder, and the status of the application in the online tracker.
The rejection message does not always give a reason. The terms of the eVisa portal state that approval is at the sole discretion of the authorities, and that paying the fee does not guarantee a visa.
The most common reasons for rejection
The official texts do not publish a list of reasons. They do set precise conditions, though, and failing any one of them can explain a refusal.
| Cause | What to check | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Data-entry mistake | Name, passport number, dates and nationality exactly as in the passport | Official: false or misleading information leads to rejection |
| Passport | At least 6 months' validity on the date of entry; same passport on arrival | Official: eVisa portal terms |
| Photo | Plain white background, centred face, no shadows, under 6 months old | Official: portal photo specifications |
| Nationality not eligible | Passport on the eVisa list, or eligibility through residence | Official: ksavisa.sa |
| Proof of residence | Valid residence permit, or a US, UK or Schengen visa already used | Official: ksavisa.sa |
| Minor | Under 18: accompanied by a legal guardian | Official: ksavisa.sa |
| Umrah visa without verified bookings | Hotel and transport booked in the package | According to a travel comparison site (Wego) |
For eligibility, our checker and the guide to checking your eVisa eligibility go through it passport by passport. Residence routes are set out in the eVisa through residence. For the photo, follow preparing your visa photo.
Getting the fees back
The fees page on ksavisa.sa separates three items. The visa fee, $80, is marked as refundable. The visa digital services fee, $10.5, and the insurance digital services fee, $10.5, are not. The insurance premium depends on the insurer you chose.
If you used an agency or service, its own charges follow its own terms. Ask for them in writing before you pay. Our guide to Saudi visa costs breaks down every item.
What to do after a refusal: step by step
Keep the evidence
The refusal message, the application number, the payment receipts and a screenshot of the online tracker.
Reread the application line by line
Compare every field with the passport: spelling of the name, number, dates of birth and expiry, nationality.
Check the passport and photo
At least six months' validity on entry, a recent photo on a plain white background, with no shadows.
Check eligibility
Nationality on the list, or valid proof of residence. If not, the eVisa is the wrong route: the Umrah visa may be the right one.
Contact the official service if nothing explains the refusal
KSA Visa platform call centre: 920011114 in Saudi Arabia, +966920011114 from abroad, or the contact form. For the Umrah visa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +966920033334.
Submit a corrected application
A new application can be made at any time. The fees are payable again.
If your agency filed the application, ask it for the exact portal message before anything else. For the Umrah visa, the Saudi ministry in charge of Umrah refers all refusal questions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How myumrahvisa helps limit mistakes
Most of the refusal causes within your control are settled before submission. With us, a person reviews every passport, the photo is checked, eligibility is confirmed, and the portal summary is compared with your details before payment. Our method describes each check.
This reduces data-entry mistakes; the decision remains with the Saudi authorities, and we cannot guarantee it. If a traveller fits no open route, we say so before anything is submitted.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reapply after my Saudi eVisa is rejected?
Yes. The official ksavisa.sa platform says that after a rejection you can submit a new application at any time. Fix whatever may have caused the problem first, or the same refusal is likely to come back.
Do I get a refund if my Saudi eVisa is rejected?
According to ksavisa.sa, the visa fee ($80) is refundable, the digital services fees ($10.5 and $10.5) are not, and the insurance depends on the insurer. The older terms of the eVisa portal rule out any refund, so keep your receipts and raise it with the call centre.
Why was my Saudi visa rejected?
The reason is not always given. The official rules point to several possibilities: a passport valid for less than 6 months on entry, inaccurate information, a non-compliant photo, a nationality or residence that does not qualify, or a minor without a guardian. The decision remains at the authorities' discretion.
Who do I contact about a rejected Umrah visa?
The FAQ of the Saudi ministry in charge of Umrah states that Umrah visas fall under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reachable on 920033334 from inside the Kingdom and +966920033334 from abroad. If an agency filed your application, ask it for the refusal message first.
If I cancel my application myself, am I refunded?
When you cancel a visa, the ksavisa.sa platform warns that the visa fee will not be refunded. Cancelling and being rejected do not follow the same rule.
Does an eVisa rejection stop me from performing Umrah?
Not necessarily. If the eVisa is not open to you, the Umrah visa remains possible through Nusuk or an approved agent, with an accommodation and transport package. See eVisa or Umrah visa.
Sources
Rules change: these are the sources this guide relies on, with the date we consulted them.