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British passport · Saudi Arabia

Do British citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 3 Nov 2026

In brief

No visa, but an online authorisation: British passport holders need an online travel authorisation before they travel to Saudi Arabia (up to 180 days within a year; ETA valid 730 days, multiple entry).

Saudi Arabia ETA fee for British citizens: The ETA costs SAR 50, which is not refunded. Official fee. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, checked .

Saudi Arabia ETA processing time for British citizens: Processing takes 1 to 3 working days, and the result is sent by email. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, checked .

Conditions: since 1 Jul 2026; fee SAR 50, not refundable; apply online before travel (not issued on arrival, not extendable); a separate application for each traveller, children included.

Also: eVisa · 90 days (single entry valid 90 days, multiple entry valid 1 year).

If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, you will be eligible to apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which allows you to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia multiple times during a validity of two years.Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia (KSA Visa platform)

Checked 3 Nov 2026Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia (KSA Visa platform)Apply only at ksavisa.saReport a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. At a glance
  3. Do British citizens need a visa?
  4. Visa types
  5. How to apply
  6. Fee
  7. Processing time
  8. Documents
  9. What changed
  10. FAQ
  11. Sources

At a glance

AccessETA · up to 180 days within a year; ETA valid 730 days, multiple entrysince 1 Jul 2026; fee SAR 50, not refundable; apply online before travel (not issued on arrival, not extendable); a separate application for each traveller, children included
StayUp to 180 days within a year; ETA valid 730 days, multiple entry
Validity and entriesThe ETA is valid for 730 days (two years) and allows multiple entries.1
Official feeThe ETA costs SAR 50, which is not refunded.1
Official processingProcessing takes 1 to 3 working days, and the result is sent by email.1
Where to applyApply online on the KSA Visa platform before you travel: the ETA cannot be issued on arrival and cannot be extended.1Official site: ksavisa.sa

Do British citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia (KSA Visa platform) lists the UK among the countries whose nationals need an online travel authorisation before they travel. Stay: up to 180 days within a year; ETA valid 730 days, multiple entry. Conditions: since 1 Jul 2026; fee SAR 50, not refundable; apply online before travel (not issued on arrival, not extendable); a separate application for each traveller, children included.

“If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, you will be eligible to apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which allows you to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia multiple times during a validity of two years.”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia (KSA Visa platform) · checked

Conditions and exceptions

  • The ETA covers tourism, business, study and medical treatment (and Umrah outside the Hajj season), but not work, residence or Hajj, and each traveller, children included, needs a separate application.

    Tourism ... Business ... Study ... Medical treatment ... You must submit a separate application for each person, even children ... ETA cannot be used for work or Hajj ... Yes, Muslim visitor can perform Umrah, outside Hajj season after obtaining the necessary permit if required.Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia · checked

Saudi Arabia visa types for British citizens

How to apply

  1. Apply online on the KSA Visa platform before you travel: the ETA cannot be issued on arrival and cannot be extended.

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia · checked

Fee

These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.

Processing time

Documents and entry checks

What changed

  1. Since 1 July 2026 British citizens can visit Saudi Arabia on an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), open to holders of all types of UK passports. Saudi Press Agency (SPA), announcing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs service · checked
  2. Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.

FAQ

Is Saudi Arabia visa-free for British citizens now?

There is no visa, but British citizens need an online travel authorisation before they travel (up to 180 days within a year; ETA valid 730 days, multiple entry). Conditions: since 1 Jul 2026; fee SAR 50, not refundable; apply online before travel (not issued on arrival, not extendable); a separate application for each traveller, children included.

How much does a Saudi Arabia visa cost for British citizens?

The ETA costs SAR 50, which is not refunded.

Can I get a Saudi Arabia visa in 7 days?

Processing takes 1 to 3 working days, and the result is sent by email.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia (KSA Visa platform): entry rule, fees, visa types, entry conditions, how to apply, processing time and documentsksavisa.sa · checked
  2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia (KSA Visa platform): visa typesksavisa.sa · checked
  3. Saudi Press Agency (SPA), announcing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs service: changes and visa typesspa.gov.sa · checked
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Visa Almanac is an independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.