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UK visas for Saudi Arabian citizens

Travel permits to visit the UK from Saudi Arabia

If you’re planning to go to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), you’ll need more than just a passport.

There are multiple types of UK visas for Saudi Arabian nationals, as well as an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). You have to get the right one to cover your trip.

Read on to learn more about the different types of UK visas and travel authorisations available to Saudi travellers.

Which category of UK visa do I need as a Saudi citizen?

Make sure you choose the right type of visa or the UK ETA. This depends on 2 main factors:

  • How long you plan to stay in the UK
  • What you plan to do in the UK

  • I'm a tourist


    Coming to the UK to see the sights?

    The ETA is the choice for you!

    Benefit from:

    • 100% online application
    • Rapid processing (3 days max.)
    • Multiple visits allowed over a 6-month period

  • I’m travelling on business


    Business trip from Saudi Arabia to the UK?

    Get your ETA online — it covers all business visits for 2 years.

  • I want to study in the UK


    Apply for a Student visa to study a degree or similar in the UK.

    Studying a short course for up to 6 months? You can do it on the ETA!

  • I want to work in the UK


    There are many types of work visas depending on your situation, including:

    • Skilled Worker visa
    • Health and Care Worker visa
    • Graduate visa
    • Global Talent visa

  • I’m going to stay with family


    Visiting family or friends? Staying for less than 6 months?

    Get your ETA online!

    Planning on staying longer? Check your visa options!

    Is your partner and/or children in the UK?

    A Family visa is the route to take!

  • I want to move to the UK from Saudi Arabia


    First, you’ll need a long-term visa, such as a work visa.

    You could also apply for indefinite leave to remain if your family is settled in the UK.

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If it’s the ETA that you need, you can apply right here with UK Visa Kingdom.

ETA information

Popular UK visas for Saudi nationals

Here are some of the visas and travel authorisations that citizens of Saudi Arabia tend to be interested in:

  1. UK ETA

    • Electronic visa waiver — allows visa-free entry
    • Apply: 100% online
    • Max. stay: 6 months
    • Validity: 2 years
    • Number of entries: Multiple
    • Used for: Tourism, business, short-term study, visiting family and friends, and transit

  2. Standard UK Visitor visa (short-term)

    • Max. stay: 6 months
    • Number of entries: One
    • Apply: Attend an appointment at a visa application centre
    • Used for: Tourism, business, short-term study, visit family and friends, medical reasons, transit, volunteering, school exchange, or permitted paid engagements

  3. Standard UK Visitor visa (long-term)

    • Max. stay: 6 months per visit
    • Validity: 2 years, 5, years, or 10 years (prices go up according to validity
    • Number of entries: Multiple
    • Apply: Attend an appointment at a visa application centre
    • Used for: Tourism, business, short-term study, visit family and friends, medical reasons, transit, volunteering, school exchange, or permitted paid engagements

  4. UK Student visa for Saudis

    • Study longer than 6 months in the UK
    • Max. stay: at least as long as your course
    • Apply: Attend an appointment at a visa application centre

  5. Skilled Worker visa

    • Job offer: in an approved field required
    • Sponsor from UK company: required
    • Validity: up to 5 years
    • Apply: Attend an appointment at a visa application centre

  6. UK Family visa for Saudi nationals

    • Join partner and/or children and/or parent in the UK
    • Max. stay: 2 years, 9 months
    • Apply: Attend an appointment at a visa application centre

How to authorise a journey to the United Kingdom for Saudi citizens

If you’re travelling on a Saudi passport, there are 2 ways to get permission to enter the UK.

To visit for up to 6 months, you can authorise your trip rapidly online with the ETA.

If you’re wondering how to apply for a UK visa from Saudi Arabia, you should start preparing your paperwork and follow the instructions below

Here’s a breakdown of the 2 ways to authorise your trip:

  • apple-touch-icon

    Fast way

    Get permission to visit the UK rapidly with the ETA.

    Apply here through the UK Visa Kingdom site and get a decision with 3 days.



    Get the ETA now
  • gov

    Regular way

    Need a work visa? Planning to spend more than 6 months in the UK?

    Start your application online, then make an appointment with the nearest British visa application centre. Bring all the relevant supporting documents.

    Be prepared for a wait of up to 3 weeks.

    Visit the government website

Addresses of main UK Visa Application Centres in Saudi Arabia:


Riyadh

2591 Makkah Road

al Hada,

Riyadh 12913

Jeddah

TasHeel Commercial Center - Ground Floor

Suwaid Bin Sakher Street

Al Mohammadiya District 1

Jeddah 23623

Medina

Al Madinah Al Munawarah Chamber of Commerce

King Khalid Street

Al Mabuth District

Medina 42242

For more information, contact:

British Embassy, Riyadh

PO Box 94351

11693 Riyadh

Saudi Arabia

British Consulate General, Jeddah

British Consulate General

P.O. Box 393

21411

Saudi Arabia

What documents do I need to get my UK travel permit as a Saudi national?

It depends on what kind of visa or travel authorisation you’re applying for.

The ETA is simple to get and requires minimal supporting documentation from Saudi applicants

UK visas are a little more complicated.

Documents required for a UK ETA

You only need to provide the following basic items to get your ETA online:

  • Valid passport issued by Saudi Arabia (or another eligible country)
  • Recent photo — passport-style
  • Method of payment

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Documents required for a UK visa from Saudi Arabia

The list of documents required for a UK visa from Saudi Arabia is more extensive than the ETA.

Typically, you’ll need to provide:

  • Saudi passport
  • Recent photo
  • Completed application form
  • Financial information

There are additional documents required, depending on the type of visa you need.

For example, British visitor visa applications also require Saudi travellers to present:

  • Proof of intention to leave the UK, e.g. an onward flight ticket
  • Proof of ability to support yourself during your stay

To get a Skilled Worker visa, Saudi nationals must have:

  • Certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from a UK employer
  • Proof of a minimum salary — this varies depending on the job

If you’re applying for a Family visa to move to the UK, you’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship to a British or Irish citizen, permanent resident, or other eligible individual. This might include:

  • Marriage certificate
  • Bank statement from a joint bank account
  • Letter(s) proving you live at the same address

Other types of visa have their own lists of required documents.

Travel to the UK from Saudi Arabia

Most travellers heading to the UK from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia go by plane.

There are many flights options from major Saudi cities, including:

  • Riyadh (RUH)
  • Jeddah (JED)
  • Dammam (DMM)
  • Abha (AHB)
  • Medina (MED)

Destinations you can fly to directly or with 1–2 changes include:

  • London (Heathrow LHR and Gatwick LGW)
  • Manchester (MAN)
  • Glasgow (GLA)
  • Birmingham (BHX)

Documents to travel to the UK from Saudi Arabia

The key items you’ll need to show when travelling from Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom include:

  • Valid Saudi passport — this must be the same one used to apply for your ETA or visa
  • Valid ETA or visa

You might also be asked to show:

  • Return or onward flight ticket or booking confirmation
  • Bank statement confirming you have sufficient funds to cover your stay

FAQs about travelling from Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom

Can Saudi nationals go to the UK? Toggle faqs

Yes, citizens of Saudi Arabia can travel to the UK as long as they have the correct visa or travel authorisation.

The easiest way for Saudis to go to the United Kingdom is to get the UK ETA online.

Can residents of Saudi Arabia travel to the UK? Toggle faqs

Yes, anyone residing in Saudi Arabia can travel to the UK as long as they have the correct paperwork.

Residence in Saudi Arabia does not affect the rules for travelling to the UK.

The visa or travel permit you need depends on the nationality of your passport; not your residency status.

How can you apply for a UK visa from Saudi Arabia? Toggle faqs

You can apply for a UK visa from Saudi Arabia by providing your information and supporting documents.

You start the application online and then go to a British visa application centre to:

  • Complete the remaining paperwork
  • Provide your supporting documents
  • Allow staff to take your biometric information, including your fingerprints.

If you’re planning to visit the UK for a short time as a tourist, for a business trip, or to visit family, for example, it’s much easier to apply for an ETA online.

This can be done in just a few minutes, saving time and energy going to the visa application centre in person.

Can you obtain a London visa from Saudi Arabia? Toggle faqs

There is no specific visa for London. However, as the capital of the United Kingdom, you can visit London with a UK visa.

You can get a visa by applying online and then attending an appointment at a visa application centre, such as the one in Riyadh.

Alternatively, apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online from Saudi Arabia.

How long does it take to get a UK tourist visa from Saudi Arabia? Toggle faqs

It can take up to 3 weeks to get a UK tourist visa. This is 3 weeks from the date you provide all your documents.

If you apply for the ETA, you’ll get a response in 3 days at most.

Can you travel to the UK from Saudi Arabia without a visa? Toggle faqs

You can only travel from Saudi Arabia to the UK if you hold a passport issued by one of the countries on the UK’s non-visa list. Nationals of these countries enjoy visa exemption for visiting England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Saudi Arabia itself is not on this list.

If you are travelling on a Saudi passport, you’ll need either an ETA or a visa.

How can I migrate to the UK from Saudi Arabia? Toggle faqs

If you plan to move to the UK permanently and live there, you’ll need to apply for the relevant type of visa.

To gain residency, you’ll most likely need a work visa. To get this, you’ll need a job offer and the company must agree to sponsor your application.

The exact visa you’ll need depends on your circumstances. You can inquire about visas at the British Embassy in Riyadh. You can make your visa application by completing the online form and then making an appointment at the nearest UK visa application centre.

How much is a UK visit visa from Saudi Arabia? Toggle faqs

A standard visitor visa that allows you to spend up to 6 months in the UK costs USD $150 when applying from Saudi Arabia.

Longer-term visas cost:

  • USD $563 (2-year visa)
  • USD $1006 (5-year visa)
  • USD $1256 (10-year visa)

The UK ETA is much more affordable.

The fixed price is GBP £10. UK Visa Kingdom charges an additional service fee in return for:

  • Error-checking service to give you the best chance of approval
  • Money-back guarantee

The British government website does not offer this — if your application is rejected, your money is gone. With our service, you don’t lose anything.