Applying for a Saudi Visa as a UK Visa Holder

Introduction

Saudi Arabia is gearing up to be the next big tourism destination in the world. The country is investing a whopping $200 billion in its tourism infrastructure, from airports, amusement parks, resorts, and other attractions. By 2030, Saudi Arabia hopes to attract 150 million annual visitors.

Travelers can especially look forward to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Global, a portfolio of luxury accommodations along the country’s western coast.

UK visa holders, in particular, can enjoy easy access to Saudi Arabia through a simplified Saudi visa application process. What’s the process like to obtain a Saudi visa for UK visa holders? What visas are they eligible for? What are the requirements and where can they submit the documents?

Read on as we share the important information and procedures.

Getting a Saudi visa

If you currently have a valid UK visa, you still need to apply for a Saudi visa. The good news is that UK visa holders are eligible for Saudi’s electronic visa or e-visa.

Option 1: E-visa

The Saudi e-visa program, launched in September 2019, makes it easier for citizens from eligible countries such as the US to secure a Saudi visa. It allows foreign nationals entry into Saudi Arabia for various purposes such as tourism, business, and even Umrah.

Apart from eligible nationalities (including dual citizens from eligible countries), permanent residents in the US, EU, or the UK; holders of visit visas (Schengen, US, UK); and residents in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates).

Application

Now that you know what an e-visa is, it’s time to go through the steps to apply for it.

All the UK visa holder needs to do is visit Saudi Arabia’s easy-to-use portal, sign up for an account, provide their UK visa information as well as their personal and passport information, pay for the insurance and visa application fees, and just wait for the e-visa to be e-mailed.

Validity

The Saudi e-visa will be valid for one year from the date of issuance and it will be valid for multiple entries. You can stay for a total of 3 months or 90 days in Saudi Arabia, as long as your UK visa is still valid during your stay. Note that once you are granted a Saudi e-visa, it cannot be extended.

Visa fees

The cost of the Saudi e-visa will vary depending on the purpose of the travel, but for tourism purposes, the Saudi tourist e-visa costs SAR 535 (USD 142.64). As mentioned, the fee already includes the fee for the medical insurance selected during the e-visa application process. Note that the payment must be made in Saudi Riyals with an international debit or credit card.

Note that the visa fees are non-refundable in case the e-visa is rejected.

Processing time

Now that you’ve completed your online visa application form, it’s time to wait. The processing time can take anywhere between 1 minute to 3 business days. You’ll know if your visa has been approved once you receive an e-mail from KSA Visa, Saudi Arabia’s new unified platform for visa applications.

Option 2: Visa on arrival

The next easy and convenient optionis the visa on arrival issued upon a foreign national’s entry into a country. Note that although it is a quick and easy way to get a Saudi visa, it might be more practical to apply for a Saudi e-visa ahead of time to avoid any surprises at the airport.

Similar to the e-visa, those who hold eligible citizenship (including dual citizens); have active US, UK, or Schengen visit visas; are permanent residents of the US, UK, or the EU; as well as GCC nationals or residents can avail of a Saudi visa on arrival.

The Saudi visa on arrival is valid for 1 year from its issuance date. The multiple-entry visa on arrival is valid for 1 year from the date of issuance. It allows the traveler to stay for a maximum of 90 days.

Option 3: Transit/Stopover Visa

There’s another way you can easily enter Saudi Arabia: the Saudi transit or stopover visa, which is open to all nationalities. It allows travelers to pass through Saudi land borders, airports, or ports. This is probably not the most ideal option for all, but it’s a good option if you are staying for less than four days in Saudi Arabia.

Travelers may opt to apply for a transit/stopover visa via Saudi Arabia’s Saudia or Flynas airlines by booking two flights with a suitable layover of between 12 to 96 hours. While the transit/stopover visa is free, it is still subject to administrative and medical insurance fees. Alternatively, travelers may apply for a standard transit/stopover visa via KSA Visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve shared vital information about how you can apply for a Saudi visa if you are a UK visa holder. But we know there might be a question on your mind that we weren’t able to address in this article. The following are answers to some frequently asked questions.

If I have a Saudi tourist visa, can I visit Makkah and Al Madinah?

Note that you may only visit Makkah if you are a Muslim visitor, while Al Madinah is open to all tourists. As an alternative, you may want to check out the many sites around Makkah to learn more about Saudi Arabia’s rich culture and heritage.

What should I do if my tourist visa application is rejected?

If your tourist visa application is rejected, you must visit the nearest Saudi embassy/consulate to apply for a new visa.

Can I apply for another tourist visa?

You may not apply for another tourist visa if you are currently under a valid Saudi tourist visa. You may re-apply for a new tourist visa once the current one expires.

What should I wear while I’m in Saudi Arabia?

Both men and women should dress modestly while in Saudi Arabia, otherwise they potentially face penalties. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes or clothes displaying profane language or images. Women should cover their shoulders and knees when in public.

Generally, wearing long, loose tops, long pants or trousers, or long skirts up to the ankle is safe. The only time you should not abide by this rule is when the situation calls for different attire, such as when swimming. Similarly, choose to wear modest swimming attire.

Conclusion

Now that you know about your eligibility as a UK visa holder for a Saudi e-visa and Saudi visa on arrival, you can look forward to planning a trip to Saudi Arabia.

With its massive investments in tourism, travelers can expect more exciting offers from Saudi Arabia in the coming years, as part of its Vision 2030. A big project is along the western coast of the Red Sea, on which 50 hotels will be constructed with up to 8,000 hotel rooms.

UK visa holders can easily apply for a Saudi e-visa and a Saudi visa on arrival, as long as their UK visas are still valid.

The e-visa process is fast and convenient and can be done within a few minutes on the KSA Visa platform. Once done, applicants can expect an e-mail with the electronic visa.

Although the visa-on-arrival option is also a viable option for UK visa holders wishing to visit Saudi Arabia, it might be better to apply for an e-visa ahead of the trip to avoid any surprises upon arrival at the Saudi airport. For more information, visit KSA Visa.

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