Saudi Visit Visas and ETA for UK Passport Holders

Check that this guidance covers you

This guide is for someone travelling on a full British citizen passport. Different British nationality types, travel documents and passports issued by other countries may have different routes. The route details below were checked against official guidance in September 2026. Saudi authorities set and enforce entry rules, so check the live portal and GOV.UK advice before every trip.

Your passport must meet the validity rule shown in the current Saudi entry requirements. GOV.UK states that a British citizen passport should expire at least six months after arrival. A passport reported lost or stolen cannot be used even if it is later recovered.

Compare the main visit routes

Electronic travel authorisation

GOV.UK says eligible travellers may use the Saudi ETA for tourism, business, study, medical treatment and Umrah outside the Hajj season. The current official guidance describes it as a multiple-entry permission valid for 730 days, allowing no more than 180 days in total across that period. It does not include health insurance.

Tourist eVisa

The tourist eVisa is for tourism. Current GOV.UK guidance describes it as valid for 365 days with multiple entries and no more than 90 days in total across the validity period. It includes a stated level of Saudi visit health insurance, but travellers should assess whether separate cover is needed for their health, activities and total potential costs.

Electronic visa waiver and other visas

GOV.UK also describes a single-entry electronic visa waiver for tourism, business, medical treatment, study and Umrah outside Hajj season. It requires flight details and does not include health insurance. The Saudi KSA Visa platform may offer other route-specific visas. Use the eligibility questions and conditions on the live service rather than selecting the cheapest or longest-looking option.

Rules can overlap and names can change. Rely on the permission actually granted, including its entry count, expiry, maximum stay and conditions.

Choose by purpose, not convenience

• Tourism: compare the ETA and tourist eVisa conditions shown to you.
• Business visit: use a route that expressly permits your planned meetings or other temporary activity. A visit permission does not authorise Saudi employment.
• Study or medical treatment: confirm that the selected route covers the nature and length of the trip and any sponsor or institution requirements.
• Umrah: check current pilgrimage, health and seasonal rules. Hajj requires a separate Hajj visa.
• Work, residence or joining family: use the appropriate Saudi visa or residence route, not a tourist permission.

Apply safely

1. Open KSA Visa or the official Saudi tourism eVisa portal and select the route for your passport and purpose.
2. Enter names, passport number, dates and nationality exactly as printed in the passport.
3. Provide the accommodation, contact, travel and other evidence requested by the live form.
4. Read the stay, entry, insurance and cancellation conditions before paying.
5. Pay only through the official service and retain the application number, receipt and issued document.
6. Check every field on issue. If anything is wrong, use the portal's official support channel before travelling rather than assuming an airline or border officer can correct it.

This guide does not quote a fee or promise a processing time. Charges, insurance premiums and checks vary by route and can change. An application receipt is not a visa, and approval is never guaranteed.

Before departure

Confirm that the permission is linked to the passport you will carry and permits your intended airport or land entry. GOV.UK notes that some permissions may allow entry only by air; travellers using the Bahrain causeway should check their document and ask the Saudi Embassy if uncertain.

Review current FCDO travel advice, regional warnings, airline requirements and health rules. Around Hajj, flight and entry restrictions can apply even to visitors who are not performing the pilgrimage. Carry access to your visa or ETA and details of accommodation and onward travel.

When to get help

Contact the KSA Visa support channel or Saudi Embassy in the UK if the portal does not recognise your passport, your application contains an error, or your purpose is not clearly covered. Ask the airline to verify documents before travel where an emergency travel document, unusual itinerary or land border is involved. UK2KSA is independent and cannot select a route for you or guarantee entry.