How to Apply for a Saudi Visit Visa from the UK

Introduction

It’s been several years since Saudi Arabia lifted its travel restrictions on 11 countries such as the UAE, Germany, the US, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, the UK, Sweden, Switzerland, France, and Japan.

Today, it enjoys a healthy influx of international travelers, especially as it invests billions of dollars into tourist attractions like the Red Sea Project and the Neom urban development.

British citizens can visit Saudi Arabia with minimal requirements, among nationalities and visit visa holders identified by the country.

With Saudi Arabia setting its sights on boosted tourism, how can British citizens apply for a Saudi visa from the UK? What procedures are involved and what are the requirements? Where can they submit documents? In this article, we share the different ways they can obtain a Saudi visa from the UK.

Eligibility

As mentioned, British citizens are privileged to have minimal requirements when applying for a Saudi visit visa. The good news is that this also applies to permanent residents of the UK.

UK citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for a Saudi e-visa as well as a Saudi visa on arrival, to perform tourism activities in Saudi Arabia. What is an e-visa and how easy is it for travelers to apply for it? What are the requirements? Let’s explore them in the next sections.

As mentioned, UK citizens and residents are among those eligible to apply for a Saudi visa, and they can either apply for an e-visa or a visa on arrival. What is this process like and what are the steps involved? Read on to learn more.

Option 1: Saudi 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.

What’s great about the Saudi e-visa is that it already covers tourism-related activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj season). This means that UK visa holders can apply for an e-visa in case they are planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism, to visit family and friends, to seek medical treatment, or for business. The e-visa already covers these different travel purposes.

Option 2: Visa on arrival

The next easy and convenient option is 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

These are the essential information to have if you are applying for a Saudi visa from the UK, however, you may have some more questions or clarifications. The following are answers to relevant frequently asked questions.

Do UK citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

Yes, British citizens are required to have a visa to visit Saudi Arabia. They may apply for an e-visa or a visa on arrival.

How can UK residents apply for a Saudi visa?

UK permanent residents are eligible to apply for a Saudi electronic visa or e-visa, which allows foreign nationals to perform a variety of travel purposes, from tourism and visiting family and friends, to doing Umrah. They are also eligible for a visa on arrival.

Can a UK visa holder travel to Saudi Arabia?

Yes, holders of an active UK visa are eligible to apply for a Saudi e-visa. Their UK visa must have at least one entry stamp on their passport.

What’s the process to obtain a Saudi visa for UK citizens?

UK citizens are among those eligible for a Saudi e-visa or visa on arrival. To apply for a Saudi e-visa, they must visit KSA Visa, Saudi Arabia’s unified platform for visa applications. For the Saudi visa on arrival, they may apply for it at the Saudi port of entry they are passing through, using the available self-service kiosks or visa-on-arrival personnel.

How can I apply for a Saudi Umrah visa from the UK?

The simplest and easiest way UK citizens and permanent residents can perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia is to obtain a Saudi tourist e-visa, which covers activities such as Umrah. Otherwise, they may need to book a travel package from any of Saudi Arabia’s authorized service providers such as travel agents. They may get in touch with an authorized local travel agency or take their pick from the available packageson Nusuk, Saudi Arabia’s holistic journey platform.

How much does a Saudi tourist visa cost from the UK?

The Saudi tourist e-visa application fee includes $80 for the visa fee (refundable), $10.50 for the visa digital service fee (non-refundable), $10.50 for the insurance digital service fee (non-refundable), and insurance fees. Note that the insurance fee will vary depending on your chosen medical insurance provider). You can pay via international debit or credit card.

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.

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

Saudi Arabia ended its travel ban on 11 countries—including the UK—in 2021. Since then, it has enjoyed a healthy influx of travelers from all over the world.

Big things are in store for the country as it invests billions in its tourism sector. Visitors can expect luxury developments like no other by 2030.

British citizens are among those who can enjoy easy access to Saudi Arabia anytime they wish with the country’s e-visa and visa-on-arrival programs.
UK residents, meanwhile, may apply for a transit/stopover visa or apply for a Saudi visa through VFS Tasheer or a Saudi embassy/consulate.

For more information, visit KSA Visa.

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