Yes, U.S. green card holders travel to Saudi Arabia on Saudi visit visas, and the passport they carry decides which visa route applies. As of September 2026, Saudi Arabia’s official tourism site says U.S. permanent residence can qualify a traveler for a visa on arrival. That option matters when the traveler’s nationality is not on the Saudi eVisa list.
The green card does not replace a passport or a Saudi visa, and it remains your document for returning to the United States. Saudi visa rules can change, so confirm them with the Saudi embassy or a consulate before you book. Faragalla Law advises permanent residents on long trips and work assignments abroad through its travel document practice.
Which Saudi Visa Can Green Card Holders Get?
Saudi Arabia sorts visitors by nationality first. Its official tourism site then asks whether you hold U.S., U.K. or Schengen residence or visas. That answer changes the options for many travelers.
If Your Passport Is on the Saudi eVisa List
As of September 2026, citizens of eligible countries such as Canada can apply online for a tourist eVisa. The multiple-entry eVisa stays valid for one year and allows stays of up to 90 consecutive days. For most nationalities, the passport must remain valid for at least six months beyond the entry date.
If Your Passport Is Not on the List
The tourism site says U.S., U.K. and EU permanent residents whose nationality falls outside the eVisa list can apply for a visa on arrival. They need a permanent residence permit and a passport valid for at least six months past entry. Travelers who want an eVisa based on U.S. residency apply through the KSA VISA portal instead. First-time visitors on that route must hold a permit that is still valid.
A permanent resident from Pakistan planning a family visit to Jeddah would look at the U.S. residence route. Pakistan does not appear on the standard eVisa list. A valid green card and a passport with six months of validity form the core of that application.
Can Green Card Holders Travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah?
Generally, yes. The tourism site says any type of Saudi visa allows travelers to perform Umrah. It asks pilgrims to book Umrah appointments through the Nusuk platform, including visits to Makkah or Al Madinah for Umrah or Ziyarah.
Hajj follows different rules. The Saudi eVisa portal lists Umrah among permitted tourist activities but excludes Hajj. A permanent resident from Egypt who plans Umrah during a two-week winter trip may use a visit visa. For Hajj, the same traveler needs a visa route other than the tourist eVisa.
Working in Saudi Arabia for a Year or More With a Green Card
Imagine an engineer from Jordan who accepts an 18-month contract in Riyadh. The green card serves as a reentry document only when the absence lasts less than one year. That makes an 18-month assignment too long for the card alone. For absences of one year or more, USCIS says to apply for a reentry permit before you go.
A reentry permit is a U.S. travel document for permanent residents. You must file while in the United States, and the permit generally stays valid for two years with no extensions. While it remains valid, officials may not find that you abandoned your residence based solely on how long you stayed away. Abandonment means giving up your permanent residence, for example by moving your life abroad.
If the contract outlasts the permit, or you leave without one, you may need a returning resident visa. The Department of State requires proof that you left intending to return and never abandoned that intent. You must also show that you stayed away for reasons beyond your control.
Official Sources on Saudi Travel and Long Absences for Permanent Residents
USCIS describes reentry permits and other travel documents and says to apply before an absence of one year or more. Federal regulation 8 CFR 223.3 sets the validity period of a reentry permit and its effect on abandonment questions. The Department of State explains the returning resident visa for residents who stay abroad longer than their documents allow.
For Saudi entry rules, Saudi Arabia’s official tourism site and its eVisa portal list the visa groups, passport rules and Umrah guidance. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs runs the KSA VISA platform for applications.
Saudi Travel Advice for Green Card Holders in Dallas and Across Texas
Short tourist trips usually involve only Saudi visa questions, while long work assignments also raise U.S. status questions. Faragalla Law meets remotely with clients in Dallas and across Texas and reviews Saudi trip plans for green card holders, from reentry permits to past absences.
Dial (800) 707-3038 to set up a free consultation before you accept a contract abroad.
You can also share your trip details with the firm, including your destination, dates and the length of any job abroad.