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Saudi Visa for UK Citizens

Citizens of the United Kingdom wishing to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can apply online for a Saudi e-visa prior to their trip to Saudi Arabia. The Saudi e-visa allows UK travelers to enter Saudi Arabia for tourism related activities, including Umrah pilgrimage except during Hajj season. The Saudi e-visa for British nationals is usually issued as a multiple entry visa valid for 1 year, allowing a maximum 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia, or can be issued as a single-entry visa valid for 3 months, allowing a 30-day maximum stay in Saudi Arabia. UK citizens are eligible to obtain a Saudi visa-on-arrival, but it is always recommended to apply online for a Saudi e-visa prior to travel, in order to avoid airport lines and delays.

UK citizens wishing to work and live in Saudi Arabia can apply for the Saudi work visa that allows a 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia, during which time the UK visitor can apply for a Saudi residence visa, which along with the Saudi work permit, or Iqama, allows the UK visitor to engage in more long-term work and living activities in Saudi Arabia. UK nationals wishing to engage in short-term commercial activities, such as meetings, negotiations, or corporate events, should hold a Saudi business visit visa, which should be applied for by a Saudi host company or entity on the UK national’s behalf. The Saudi business visit visa is issued as a single-entry visit visa valid for 3 months, allowing a 30-day stay (extendable), or as a multiple-entry visit visa valid for 6 months or 1 year, allowing a 90-day stay each visit (non-extendable).

It is important to note that overstays in Saudi Arabia may result in fines and deportation. Accordingly, please be aware of your Saudi visa validity dates and permitted duration of stay in Saudi Arabia.

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Saudi visas for UK citizens

UK nationals wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for short or long-term stays, such as employment, business activities, family visits, pilgrimage, or transit, should apply for the appropriate Saudi visa, prior to their intended visit to Saudi Arabia. Depending on the purpose of travel to Saudi Arabia, UK citizens can apply for the following types of Saudi visas:

Tourist visa

A Saudi visa for UK nationals traveling to Saudi Arabia for tourism activities. UK nationals are eligible to apply online for the Saudi e-visa, which allows for multiple 90-day visits within the one-year Saudi e-visa validity period.

Business visit visa

A Saudi visa for Saudi companies wishing to host a UK national for business activities, such as meetings, negotiations, or corporate visits.

Employment visa

A Saudi visa for UK nationals seeking employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

Student visa

A Saudi visa for UK nationals enrolled in a Saudi Arabia educational institution.

Residence visa

A Saudi visa for UK nationals, already in Saudi Arabia on a short-term visa, who wish to stay in Saudi Arabia for a longer period of time.

Premium residency visa

A Saudi visa for UK citizens wishing to live in Saudi Arabia and invest in Saudi business, allowing the UK national to reside, own property, invest, work, change jobs, hire foreign workers, sponsor their family, and enter and exit Saudi Arabia, all without the need for a Saudi sponsor.

Family visit visa

A Saudi visa for Saudi nationals or legal residents wishing to host a first-degree relative for a short-term visit to Saudi Arabia.

Companion visa

A Saudi visa for UK nationals wishing to accompany someone on their trip to Saudi Arabia.

Personal visit visa

A Saudi visa for Saudi nationals wishing to host a UK national in Saudi Arabia for a non-business, non-family, short-term related visit.

Newborn visa

A Saudi visa for UK parents, who have a valid Saudi work permit (Iqama), and the mother of the child has a valid re-entry visa into Saudi Arabia.

Government visa

A Saudi visa for UK visitors invited by a Saudi Arabian government institution, ministry, or department.

Diplomatic & official visas

A Saudi visa for official or diplomatic UK nationals.

Diplomatic missions & organizations

A Saudi visa to visit a Saudi Arabian mission or organization.

Extension of exit/re-entry visa

A Saudi extension visa for UK employees and their dependents wishing to travel to and from Saudi Arabia for a specific period of time.

Hajj visa

A Saudi visa for UK Muslims wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage purposes.

Umrah visa

A Saudi visa for UK Muslims wishing to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage purposes.

Transit visa

A Saudi visa for UK travelers on layover in Saudi Arabia for more than 12 hours. UK travelers in Saudi Arabia for less than 12 hours do not need a transit visa.

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Requirements

UK citizens should prepare the following when applying for the various Saudi visa types.

Saudi tourist visa for UK nationals:

UK nationals, 18 years or older, should meet the following requirements when applying online for a Saudi e-visa:

Application

UK national should fill out a Saudi visa application form at SaudiVisa.com, complete with personal data and other requested information.

Passport

UK citizen must hold a UK passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entering Saudi Arabia or that meets the rules of reciprocity.

Personal photo

UK national must submit one recent color photo; against a white background; 2x2 inches; 5 to 100 KB natural facial expressions; 80% face; no eyeglasses; no head wear, except for religious reasons.

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Saudi visa-on-arrival for UK citizens

UK foreign nationals can obtain a Saudi visa-on-arrival at any Saudi port of entry. However, it is always advised to apply online for a Saudi e-visa before traveling to avoid possible airport lines and delays.

Saudi work visa for UK citizens

The Saudi work visa for UK nationals is a visit visa, permitting the UK visitor a maximum 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia, during which time the UK citizen should apply for a Saudi residence permit with the Saudi Ministry of Labor, which along with the Saudi work permit, or Iqama, allows the UK national to work and live in Saudi Arabia for up to 1 year, extendable based on the continuity of the same employment. UK nationals, above 18 years old, applying for the Saudi work visa should meet the following requirements:

Employment visa

Saudi employer applies for the Saudi employment visa, with the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Labor, on the UK national’s behalf.
If the Saudi work permit is approved, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will issue a visa authorization number

Sponsorship letter

UK national must have an invitation letter by a Saudi Arabian organization or company that is certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
The sponsorship letter must indicate the UK citizen’s name, position, block visa number, and date.

Diploma

The UK national must have a certified and notarized copy of their university degree or training/technical diploma that is authenticated by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.

Employment contract

An employment contract that is signed by both the UK employee and Saudi employer and certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.

Power of Attorney

Saudi MOFA shall issue digital power of attorney from the Saudi employer.

Visa referral note

A visa referral note must be issued by Saudi MOFA that states Saudi work visa number and date.

Health report

The UK citizen must submit 3 copies of a recent medical report, issued within the last 3 months by a licensed physician, bearing the doctor’s license number and address, complete with lab results that prove the UK citizen is disease-free.

Police report

The UK national must submit a recent police report, issued at least 6 months before applying for the Saudi work visa, that details the UK national’s criminal record or lack thereof.

Medical Insurance

The UK citizen should purchase health insurance from Saudi Arabia

Passport

The UK national must have a passport valid for 6 months from the date of travel to Saudi Arabia, with 2 blank pages for official use that are facing each other.

Application

The UK citizen should apply for their Saudi work visa by filling out the Saudi work visa application form on the Saudi MOFA portal and then submit the application and required documents by mail or in person at their nearest Saudi embassy or representation office abroad.

Once the Saudi employment visa has been approved, the UK national can then travel to Saudi Arabia and stay for up to 90 days. During that time, the UK visitor should convert their Saudi work visa into a Saudi residence permit, allowing the UK visitor to stay in Saudi Arabia and engage in long-term employment and living activities.
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How to apply for a Saudi visa

UK citizens can apply for the various Saudi visa types as detailed below.

Saudi tourist visa for UK citizens

Citizens of the United Kingdom wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism activities can apply online at SaudiVisa.com in three simple steps:

Submit application form

The UK national fills out the online Saudi e-visa application form, complete with personal data, passport details, and other requested information.

Pay fees online

The UK citizen pays the Saudi e-visa fees securely online, with a valid credit or debit card.

Receive approved visa

If approved, the Saudi e-Visa will be sent directly to the email that was provided. Check that all Saudi e-visa information is correct and matches the passport

Saudi work visa for UK nationals

UK nationals should apply for a Saudi work visa in the following manner:

Apply for Saudi work visa

  • Saudi employer applies to MOFA for a Saudi work visa on the UK national’s behalf
  • UK worker fills out the Saudi work visa application on the Saudi MOFA portal, complete with personal data and other requested information. UK applicant should then print the Saudi work visa application form, sign it where necessary, and affix personal photos.
  • UK applicant pays the Saudi work visa fees online on the Saudi MOFA portal, using a valid credit or debit card.

Submit work visa

UK citizen submits Saudi job visa application and required documents by mailing them or visiting the nearest Saudi Arabia embassy or representation office abroad.

Receive work visa

If approved, the Saudi work visa can be retrieved from the Saudi Arabia embassy or representation office where the UK citizen applied.
Check that all the visa information is correct and matches the information on your passport.

Apply for residence permit

While traveling to Saudi Arabia, during the 90-day permitted stay, the UK worker should apply for a Saudi residence permit with the Saudi Ministry of Labor.

The Saudi residence permit will allow the UK national to work and live in Saudi Arabia for 1-year, or as long as the UK worker maintains the same job, under the same Saudi employer.

Processing time

Applying for a Saudi Arabia e-visa is a very fast process. Once approved, UK nationals can receive their Saudi Arabia tourist e-visa visa within 24 hours. Other types of Saudi visas can take up to several days or weeks, depending on the Saudi visa type being applied for. We advise you to start your Saudi visa application as early as possible, in order to avoid possible delays or unforeseen circumstances.

Saudi visa fees

Saudi visa fees range depending on the type of Saudi visa you are applying for.

Visa extension

The Saudi e-visa is usually issued to UK citizens as a multiple-entry visa valid for one year, permitting a 90-day stay each visit and is not extendable. Accordingly, once the Saudi e-visa is no longer valid, the UK traveler should leave Saudi Arabia before reapplying online for a new Saudi e-visa.

UK Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia

British Embassy Riyadh:

Address: PO Box 94351, 11693 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Telephone: +966 (0) 11 481 9100

British Consulate General Jeddah:

Address: P.O. Box 393, 21411 Saudi Arabia

Telephone: +966 (0)11 481 9100

Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in United Kingdom:

Address: 30 Charles Street, London W1J 5DZ

Telephone: 00442079173000

Saudi visas for UK citizens FAQ

Yes, UK nationals are eligible to apply online for the Saudi tourist e-visa at SaudiVisa.com. UK citizens wishing to work in Saudi Arabia can apply for the appropriate Saudi work or business visa, depending on the nature of work or employment in Saudi Arabia. Depending on the purpose of your visit to Saudi Arabia, British nationals can apply for several types of Saudi visit visas at their nearest Saudi Arabia embassy, consulate or VAC.
UK nationals can apply online for the Saudi tourist e-visa at SaudiVisa.com. Depending on the purpose of your trip to Saudi Arabia, UK citizens can apply for other various short or long-term Saudi visit visas at their nearest Saudi Arabia embassy, consulate or VAC. Saudi transit visas can be applied for through the airlines on which you are traveling.
UK nationals applying online for the Saudi e-visa will receive their approved Saudi e-visa within 24 hours. Other Saudi visas take longer to be fully processed and issued, depending on the Saudi visa type being applied for.