Travelling from the UK to Saudi Arabia used to be next to impossible. Years ago, most temporary visas issued by Saudi Arabia embassies were strictly for religious or business purposes only.
With the launch of the country’s eVisa program in 2019, getting a Saudi Arabia visa is faster and more accessible. Until then, travelling to Saudi Arabia has been difficult for British residents and other nationalities worldwide!
Introducing Saudi Arabia’s eVisa
Saudi Arabia’s eVisa finally opened up the country’s doors to international tourism. With it, foreign visitors can now easily apply for travel authorisation before going on a trip to the country. It allows citizens of 49 nationalities—including those from the United Kingdom—to spend up to 90 days in the country.
Since everything can be processed online, it eliminates the need to visit a Saudi embassy in person just to obtain a tourist visa. Aside from that, it reduces the fees you needed to pay and the waiting time it takes to acquire one!
UK Resident’s Visa Requirements
If you are a resident of the UK interested in getting a Saudi eVisa, here are the requirements you need to provide or have on-hand:
- A passport issued by the UK with at least six months validity beyond the intended visit dates to Saudi Arabia,
- Your current email address to receive the Saudi Arabia eVisa and all other notifications regarding your online application,
- Your debit or credit card for the application fee payment, and
- If you are a tourist, you will need to provide details of your UK accommodation. There is no need to prepare a proof of booked accommodation.
Applying for the Saudi eVisa: The Process
The whole application process will only take you a few minutes to complete. It is straightforward and can be completed from anywhere in the world for as long as you have a stable internet connection.
However, tourists should apply for a eVisa at least 72 hours before their intended date of departure as it is the minimum processing time required.
To give you an even clearer idea, here is the process you need to take to complete your application:
Step 1: Complete all the required supporting documents and have them with you during the application process.
Step 2: In the application form, you will be asked to provide the following personal information:
- Surname
- First name
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Country of birth
- Country of citizenship
- Country of passport
- Passport number
- Date of passport issue
- Expiry date of passport
- Email address
- Mobile phone number
Step 3: You will be asked to review all the information you provided and then pay the relevant fees using a debit or credit card.
Important Note: The fee you will pay includes the purchase of medical insurance. It will only be approved once the traveller’s visa is accepted and transmitted. All of Saudi Arabia’s partner health insurance companies are licensed and certified, and your insurance will only cover emergency cases.
Step 4: You will receive an email notification once your application is processed. The waiting time is around 24 to 72 hours—or more, depending on the content of your application. The email you will receive contains the decision of the Saudi’s immigration authorities.
Conclusion
Thanks to the launch of the eVisa, travelling from the UK to Saudi Arabia is now hassle-free. With a few clicks, you can have your visa application done in no time! If you plan to visit the country for whatever reason, consider doing it while the eVisa application process is still in place.
Are you looking to get a Saudi Arabia visa but don’t know how to proceed? At Travcour, we’re passport & visa application specialists that will help you speed through the application process! Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can lend you a hand!