Saudi Arabia Visa Requirements for UK Citizens

Introduction

If you’re planning the next destination for a holiday, you might want to set your eyes on the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia, in particular. It’s home to a vast selection of sightseeing gems, from the majestic Masjid al-Haram, the largest mosque in the world; the world’s largest hotel complex, the Clock Towers; to the breathtaking King Fahd’s Fountain, the tallest fountain in the world. Whatever your purpose, there’s something in Saudi Arabia that you will surely find fascinating.

For UK citizens, traveling to Saudi Arabia is a breeze. Saudi visa requirements for UK citizens are generally minimal, so they can easily visit the country anytime they please.

What do they need to prepare when traveling to Saudi Arabia for leisure or business? When seeking medical treatment? Or when visiting family and friends? How easy is the process? We answer all these and more in this comprehensive guide to Saudi visa requirements for US citizens.

Visa requirements for UK citizens

We’ve mentioned that there are a few requirements for UK citizens should they wish to travel to Saudi Arabia. What are the different ways they can apply for a Saudi visa, and the different requirements depending on their purpose for traveling? Here’s a list of the Saudi visa options available to UK citizens, and what their respective requirements are.

Option 1: E-visa

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

Under Saudi Arabia’s new e-visa system, eligible travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia no longer need to get a visa sticker stamped on their passports. Instead, these are replaced by a printed e-visa featuring a QR code. This QR code will contain all the essential data and information about the passenger, effectively functioning as a digital visa.

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).

What’s great about the e-visa is that it already covers tourism-related activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj season).

Application

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

Requirements

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, you will need the following:

• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• Digital passport photo with a white background (in JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP file formats; not bigger than 100 KB; and 200×200 pixels in dimension)
• Accomplished application form
• Health insurance

Note that for certain Saudi visas, you may need to have an invitation letter from a sponsor in Saudi Arabia, such as a Saudi resident or a local company.

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 Schengen 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 unified platform for visa applications.

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

Although we’ve discussed the different Saudi visa requirements for UK citizens, you may still have other queries or clarifications. The following are answers to some frequently asked questions.

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.

Is it possible to amend my data after submitting the visa application?

You cannot make changes to a Saudi e-visa if there is a mistake in the visa holder’s declared information apart from his/her nationality or passport number. As you cannot modify an e-visa, it will need to be canceled and you will need to re-apply for a new e-visa.

If, however, the embassy issued the visa with an incorrect nationality or passport number, then a new visa with the correct nationality or passport number can be issued for a fee. It won’t be necessary to cancel or revoke the old visa.

Is it possible for your Saudi visa on arrival to be rejected?

Although there are clear guidelines on who is eligible for a Saudi visa on arrival, remember that any visa is a conditional document and the final say will have to come from the immigration officer.

Yes, it’s possible for a Saudi visa on arrival to be rejected. Some of the possible reasons may be insufficient documents, previous visa violations, inaccurate or incomplete personal information, falsification of travel history, health issues, or insufficient funds.

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.

My visa application status says it is “pending with applicant”. What does this mean?

This means that your application might have missing information or there is a problem with your photo.

Is the process different if you apply for a visa as an individual versus as a group?

You are free to apply either as a group or as an individual. If you would like to apply for a visa as a group, this option is just to facilitate the payment process.

Does the selected guardian have to be with the child when entering Saudi Arabia?

The selected guardian is not required to enter Saudi Arabia with the child, so long as a first-degree relative will be accompanying the child, such as his/her father, mother, brother, sister, grandfather, or grandmother.

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

Ready to pack your bags for Saudi Arabia? UK citizens have the privilege of having minimal requirements when applying for a Saudi visa, making travel preps a breeze. With its picturesque landscapes, stunning architecture, and wealth of religious and historical heritage, Saudi Arabia is the perfect destination for your next holiday.

For different travel purposes, there are different requirements you will need to submit either through the KSA Visa platform, a Saudi embassy/consulate, VFS Tasheer, or an authorized service provider.

For more information, visit KSA Visa or contact the nearest Saudi embassy or consulate.

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