Get a Saudi Arabia Visa

Tourist Travel Requirements for an Saudi Arabia Visa for UK Citizens

  1. Eligibility and Documentation

    The Government of Saudi Arabia utilises an electronic visa issuance system which is the equivalent to a visa, but no stamp or label is placed in the passport.

    To be eligible the traveller must:

    • Hold a passport valid at least six months on entry with one blank visa page
    • Hold proof of sufficient funds
    • Hold proof of onward/return flights
    • Hold proof of hotel reservation
    • Hold all documents required for the next destination

    To complete the order form the traveller must provide:

    • A photograph
    • A copy of passport information page

    Apply now and complete our order form providing basic travel and personal details. We'll take care of the rest keeping you apprised of your order's progress over email.

  2. Medical Insurance

    The government of Saudi Arabia requires all applications to be submitted with a medical insurance policy from an approved provider. The insurance must be issued by a Saudi-Arabian insurance company. CIBTvisas will obtain the medical insurance policy on your behalf when completing the eVisa registration procedure. The government of Saudi Arabia applies an insurance policy fee of SAR 180, which is included in the visa fee.

  3. Visa Validity

    A Saudi Arabian eVisa is a multiple entry visa with a validity of 1 year and allow for stay of up to 90 days.

  4. Minors

    Applicants under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by a guardian.

  5. Visa Conditions

    All applicants must adhere to local customs and etiquette. Please visit this page for more information.

Important Information

Biometrics & Visa Issuance Process

The Embassy of Saudi Arabia requires that all individuals, aged between 6 and 80 years old, applying for a Saudi visa in the United Kingdom appear in person to submit their biometric details as part of the visa application process. Applications are accepted at the Visa Application Centre in London by strict appointment only.

CIBT visas will provide the following:

  • Provision of application forms, requirements and instructions on how to obtain your necessary visa
  • Quality checking of your application and supporting materials to avoid re-booking of appointment
  • Meet and Greet at the Visa Application Centre to support the collection of your biometric data
  • Provision of the compulsory appointment for your documents to be submitted to the Visa Application Centre
  • Collection of the completed passport and delivery back to the applicant 
The processing time of your visa application starts from the date of the appointment. The current waiting time for an appointment is up to 4 days.

Upon receipt of your documents, a CIBTvisas visa specialist will contact you to arrange your appointment.

The applicants will be required to pay for the visa fee directly to the visa centre by credit card or cash.

Please note that the Embassy of Saudi Arabia will not affix the visa stamp in your passport. Instead, they will issue the visa electronically and email it to you directly.

Business Travel Requirements for an Saudi Arabia Visa for UK Citizens

  1. Visa Validity

    The Saudi Embassy issues visa validity and entries based on the visa support supplied. Completed visas cannot be changed or extended once they have been issued. The Embassy's decision is final and cannot be contested by CIBTvisas

  2. Passport

    The applicant's actual signed passport. The passport must:

    • Have at least 2-3 blank visa pages
    • Be valid for six months beyond entry date
    • Be machine readable

  3. Photograph(s)

    You must provide two colour, passport type photographs that meet the following criteria:

    • Be taken within the last three months and printed on high quality photo paper
    • Be taken against an all white background
    • Be 35 mm by 45mm in size
    • Provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression
    • You may wear neither spectacles nor headwear except for religious purposes
    • Your photos should not be affixed to your application or display evidence of adhesive or staples

  4. Business Introduction Letter

    You must provide a Business Introduction Letter from the applicant's UK employer. All letters must be printed on company letterhead that displays a UK postal address. Use the sample Business Introduction Letter provided at http://cibtvisas.co.uk/forms?formname=Saudi%20Sample%20Template%20Letter.pdf to complete your letter.

    Note that most consulates require the Business Cover Letter to be dated within one month of application submission.

    In addition to the language provided in the sample, your Business Introduction Letter must:
    • Include the company registration number
    • Include the activities of the company
    • Indicate the invitation number or visa number
    • Specify the type of visa requested
    • Specify the duration of trip
    • Have been issued within two weeks before application
    • Be stamped and certified by the British Chamber of Commerce
    • Include a wet ink signature

  5. Letter of Invitation

    A letter of invitation issued by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A copy is acceptable. This must:

    • Show the same inviting company name as on the UK Business Introduction Letter
    • Have been issued within three months before the visa application date

  6. Letter of Authorisation

    A letter of authorisation for the collection of the passport and travel documents from the Visa Centre. This form can be found in the {CIBTvisas application pack.

  7. Visa Application Form

    One fully completed and signed application form. A copy is acceptable. This form must:

    • Be completed in black ink only
    • Be completed in block capitals only
    • Be completed by the applicant only. Third party handwriting will not be accepted
    • Have no handwritten changes. Correction fluid will not be accepted
    • Be fully completed in the lower section "IMPORTANT:THIS SECTION MUST BE COMPLETED FULLY"

    Applicants who have never had a previous nationality must complete their present nationality in both sections.

  8. Additional supporting documents

    Additional supporting documents may be requested by the authorities in Saudi Arabia after the request has been submitted. Should this occur CIBTvisas will contact the traveller immediately. 

  9. CIBTvisas Order Confirmation

    Provide the CIBTvisas Order Form included in this kit.

  10. Early Retrieval Of Passports

    Once a visa application is submitted to the Embassy the passport cannot be retrieved or expedited until the process is completed. In an emergency the Embassy may return the passport but the process will be summarily cancelled and the applicant will have to re-submit the complete visa application including the payment. To withdraw the passport the applicant must send a signed withdrawal letter addressed to the Embassy to CIBTvisas. The passport will be returned to CIBTvisas within 48 hours.

  11. Holders of a Valid Visa

    Applicants are only permitted to hold one valid Saudi visa at any one time. A written statement must additionally be provided to request the cancellation of a valid Saudi visa. The cancellation of valid Saudi visas is at the embassy's discretion and depends on the validity of the visa.

  12. Additional Administrative Processing

    Applicants who would like CIBTvisas to assist with the certification of their business letter from the British Chamber of Commerce are advised that the additional processing time of one working day must be added to processing time of their visa to ensure intended departure dates can be met.

  13. Restrictions

    Applicants with an offshore profession are permitted single entry only. The invitation supplied by the host company must be for a single entry visa.

  14. Urgent Travel

    Use the CIBTvisas Fast-Track Pre-Submission service to speed up your application by one working day and ensure your urgent travel dates can be met. In order to accelerate the registration and translation elements of your application, select the Fast-Track Pre-Submission service when completing your online order.

Saudi Arabia Visa FAQ

  1. When is the best time to apply for my Saudi Arabia visa?

    The best time to apply for your Saudi Arabia visa is 1-2 months before your travel date. However, if you are running short on time, we may be able to process your visa on a faster service at the Embassy’s discretion.

  2. Do I have to send you my passport to get a Saudi Arabia visa? Is it safe to send a passport?

    Yes. You will need to send your actual passport, not a copy of it. The Saudi Arabia visa is stamped on your passport and will become one of your passport pages. Visa request cannot be processed without your original passport. Because of the importance of your passport, we strongly suggest that you send your application by a secure method, such as a guaranteed postal service or courier.