Do British citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
The official link goes to ksavisa.sa. NUM isn’t a government agency or a visa service. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay or travel.
Saudi Arabia entry rules for British citizens.
| Verdict | Travel authorisation before you fly |
|---|---|
| Document | Saudi Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) |
| Stay | Up to 180 days in total over the ETA's validity (multiple entries) |
| Validity | 730 days from issue (FCDO); some reports say 1 year |
| When to apply | Apply online before travel |
| Checked | Verified on an official page · 2026-10-11 |
The rest of the trip for a British passport, from the arrival form to customs and travelling with children: Saudi Arabia entry requirements.
The details for a British passport.
New since 1 Jul 2026 (UK citizens only, all UK passport types). Covers tourism, business, study, medical treatment and Umrah outside Hajj season; not work, residence or Hajj; no health insurance included. Fee not published on FCDO; one secondary source reports SAR 50 (unverified). FCDO still lists two alternatives: the tourist eVisa (visa.visitsaudi.com, 365 days, multiple entry, 90 days, includes insurance up to SAR 100,000; also on arrival) and a single-entry electronic visa waiver (visa.mofa.gov.sa, stay up to 180 days, apply 48 hours to 90 days before the flight with flight details). Some visas allow entry by air only - check before using the Bahrain causeway.
How long it must be valid.
Passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of arrival (FCDO; official eVisa terms).
Recent changes in Saudi Arabia.
- 2025-02-01 — One-year multiple-entry visit visas suspended for nationals of 14 countries (incl. India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, Bangladesh); single-entry visas of up to 30 days only. Reported as temporary.
- 2026-07-01 — Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) introduced for UK citizens: multiple entries, up to 180 days; FCDO gives validity as 730 days. Announced by the Saudi MFA on 25 Jun 2026.
- 2026-06 — Customs declaration threshold for cash and valuables lowered from SAR 60,000 to SAR 40,000.
The short answers.
Do British citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
No visa, but yes to a form: British citizens need the Saudi Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) approved before they fly for stays of up to 180 days in total over the ETA's validity (multiple entries).
How long can British citizens stay in Saudi Arabia?
Up to 180 days in total over the ETA's validity (multiple entries). Longer stays need a different visa.
When should British citizens apply?
Apply online before travel.
Where do British citizens apply?
On the official site, ksavisa.sa. NUM links it and never charges for the link.
Does NUM issue Saudi Arabia visas?
No. Only the government issues them. NUM explains the rule for your passport, links the official site, and can file the form for you where its desk covers it.