This guide covers UK visa and ETA requirements from Saudi Arabia in 2026, for both Saudi nationals and the millions of resident Iqama holders. Saudi citizens need only the £20 Electronic Travel Authorisation for short visits, while expatriates apply according to their passport nationality — visitor visas start at $191 (716 SAR), processed through VFS Global in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Saudi students remain a major UK market, with a 98% grant rate.
UK Visas from Saudi Arabia
UK Visa from Saudi Arabia 2026: ETA, Iqama Holders & Fees
UK ETA for Saudi Citizens
Saudi citizens need an ETA, not a visa, for short visits — it costs £20, lasts 2 years, and allows stays of up to 6 months. Iqama holders apply by passport nationality: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and other visa-national passport holders need a full UK visa, while US, EU, and other visa-exempt nationals need only an ETA. The Iqama itself does not change this.
Saudi Arabia presents two distinct audiences. Saudi citizens are ETA-eligible and need only the £20 authorisation for tourism, business, family visits, or short study up to 6 months. The 9 to 10 million expatriates living in the Kingdom apply by their own passport nationality, so an Indian or Pakistani resident still needs a full UK visa. Getting this distinction right is the single most important step before applying.
The ETA replaced the older Electronic Visa Waiver in February 2024, when Saudi Arabia joined as part of the Gulf rollout, and is almost always approved — the scheme's issue rate runs at 99.6%. It is a digital pre-travel permission, not a visa: it lasts 2 years or until the passport expires, allows multiple visits of up to 6 months, and is applied for through the UK ETA app or at gov.uk.
From 25 February 2026, Saudi citizens without a valid ETA will not be allowed to board flights, trains, or ferries to the UK. Airlines must verify ETA status before departure, with no exceptions. Most decisions arrive within minutes, but allow up to three working days before travel.
An ETA covers tourism, family visits, business meetings, short courses, and transit, but never paid work, long-term study, or settlement — those need the right visa. It authorises travel to the UK border but does not guarantee entry. The wider scheme and how it compares with a visa are covered in our UK ETA guide.
UK Visa for Saudi Iqama Holders
For resident expatriates, UK entry requirements follow passport nationality, not Iqama status — the key point for the millions of workers in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. An Iqama lets you apply for a UK visa from Saudi Arabia, but it does not change whether you need one. The convenience is real: visa-nationals can apply from within the Kingdom, using a Saudi address, employer letter, and local bank statements.
UK Visit Visa for Pakistani, Indian & Filipino Residents
Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, Filipino, and other visa-national residents apply for a Standard Visitor visa or other category at VFS Global, with biometrics given in the Kingdom. US, EU, Australian, and other visa-exempt nationals need only an ETA. Our country guides for Pakistani and Indian applicants explain the documents each nationality needs.
Complete UK Visa Fee Table from Saudi Arabia in SAR 2026
UK visa fees are charged in US Dollars under the 8 April 2026 schedule and converted to Saudi Riyals at the fixed peg of 3.75 SAR per USD. The Immigration Health Surcharge applies separately to work, study, and family visas at £1,035 per year — £776 for students — always in pounds sterling.
UK Standard Visitor visa fee and other visa fees from Saudi Arabia (2026)
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Fee (SAR) |
|---|---|---|
| ETA (Saudi nationals) | £20 | ~105 |
| 6-month Visitor | $191 | 716 |
| 2-year Visitor | $718 | 2,693 |
| 5-year Visitor | $1,281 | 4,804 |
| 10-year Visitor | $1,600 | 6,000 |
| Student | $791 | 2,966 |
| Skilled Worker (≤3 years) | $1,162 | 4,358 |
| Health and Care Worker | $459 | 1,721 |
| Spouse / Partner | $2,927 | 10,976 |
| Priority service | $709 | 2,659 |
Source: Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 April 2026 schedule; SAR at the fixed 3.75 peg.
UK Visa Cost from Saudi Arabia at a Glance
For Saudi citizens the cost of a UK trip is simply £20 — the ETA. For Iqama holders on the visitor route, the benchmark is $191 (716 SAR) for six months; against that, the 2-year visa at $718 breaks even at around four trips. On sponsored routes the surcharge is usually the bigger line: a three-year Skilled Worker visa adds £3,105 of surcharge to the $1,162 fee.
UK Visit Visa from Saudi Arabia 2026
The Standard Visitor visa allows stays of up to 6 months for tourism, family visits, business, or short courses. Visa-national Iqama holders use this route, while long-term visit visas of 2, 5, or 10 years suit frequent travellers. Those visiting relatives should review the evidence involved in sponsoring a visitor, and anyone refused can check our guide to refusal reasons.
- Valid passport: with at least one blank page.
- Saudi Iqama: the residence permit confirming your status.
- Bank statements: usually 6 months, showing sufficient funds.
- Employer letter: from your Saudi employer.
- UK accommodation details: bookings or a host's invitation.
- Ties evidence: links to Saudi Arabia and your home country.
UK Student Visa from Saudi Arabia 2026
Saudi Arabia is one of the UK's largest student markets, helped by the King Abdullah Scholarship Programme, and the grant rate sits at a strong 98% across 5,712 applications. Saudi nationals need this visa — the ETA does not cover degree study — and so do resident Iqama holders.
The UK Student visa costs $791 (2,966 SAR) plus the health surcharge at £776 per year, and needs a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, the English language requirement, and maintenance funds of £1,529 per month for London or £1,171 elsewhere. Graduates can then use the Graduate Route for two years of post-study work.
UK Work Visa from Saudi Arabia 2026
The Skilled Worker visa is the main employment route for Saudi residents, requiring a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer, a graduate-level job, and a salary of at least £41,700 or the going rate in the Home Office eligible occupations list. Healthcare professionals use the lower-fee Health and Care Worker route, which is also exempt from the health surcharge.
UK work visa fees from Saudi Arabia (2026)
| Work Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Fee (SAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (≤3 years) | $1,162 | 4,358 |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | $2,295 | 8,606 |
| Health and Care Worker | $459 | 1,721 |
| Global Talent (with approval) | $291 | 1,091 |
Source: Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 April 2026 schedule; SAR at the fixed 3.75 peg.
UK Spouse Visa from Saudi Arabia 2026
The UK Spouse visa costs $2,927 (10,976 SAR) and lets a partner join a British or settled sponsor under Appendix FM. Both Saudi nationals and resident Iqama holders use this route, as the ETA never covers settlement or family migration.
The UK sponsor must earn at least £29,000 a year, show a genuine relationship and suitable accommodation, and the applicant must meet the A1 English requirement. The first visa lasts 33 months, and after two grants totalling five years, applicants can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
How to Apply for a UK Visa from Saudi Arabia
Saudi nationals apply for the ETA through the app. Iqama holders apply online at gov.uk, pay in US Dollars, and give biometrics at VFS Global in Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam. The process mirrors that of neighbours such as the UAE, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran.
- Saudi nationals: apply for the ETA via the UK ETA app.
- Iqama holders: complete the online visa application at gov.uk.
- Pay the fee in US Dollars during the application.
- Book biometrics at VFS Global Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam.
- Attend your appointment with passport and documents.
- Access your eVisa through your UKVI account once approved.
UK Visa Processing Time from Saudi Arabia 2026
Standard visitor, student, and work decisions take around 3 weeks from biometrics, with settlement cases up to 12 weeks; the priority service at $709 can shorten non-settlement decisions where offered. Our guide to processing times after biometrics explains the timelines for each route once you have attended your appointment. ETA decisions usually arrive within minutes.
Sources: fees from the Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 April 2026 schedule, as charged in US Dollars at visa-fees.homeoffice.gov.uk; grant rates and application volumes from the Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending June 2026. Figures verified 29 August 2026 against the 8 April 2026 fee schedule.
Frequently Asked
Questions about UK Visas from Saudi Arabia
No. Saudi citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, not a visa, for short visits. The ETA costs £20, lasts 2 years, and allows stays of up to 6 months for tourism, business, or short study. It is applied for through the UK ETA app, usually with a decision in minutes. For work, long-term study, or settlement, Saudi nationals must apply for the relevant visa instead.
It depends on passport nationality, not Iqama status. Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Filipino, and other visa-national passport holders need a full UK visa even though they live in Saudi Arabia. US, EU, Australian, and other visa-exempt nationals need only an ETA. The advantage of holding an Iqama is that you can apply from within Saudi Arabia at VFS Global, using local documents.
The ETA for Saudi nationals is £20. For Iqama holders needing a visa: the 6-month Visitor visa is $191 (716 SAR), the Student visa $791 (2,966 SAR), the Skilled Worker visa $1,162 (4,358 SAR), and the Spouse visa $2,927 (10,976 SAR). Fees are paid in US Dollars and converted to Riyals at the fixed 3.75 peg. Work, study, and family visas also require the Immigration Health Surcharge in pounds.
Yes. Pakistani and Indian passport holders with a Saudi Iqama apply at VFS Global in Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam, based on their own nationality. You use your Saudi address, an employer letter, and bank statements from Saudi banks as evidence of your circumstances. The Standard Visitor visa costs $191 (716 SAR), and your Iqama lets you apply locally rather than returning home to do so.
The UK Standard Visitor visa fee in 2026 is $191, about 716 Saudi Riyals at the fixed 3.75 peg, for the 6-month visa. Long-term options cost $718 (2,693 SAR) for 2 years, $1,281 (4,804 SAR) for 5 years, and $1,600 (6,000 SAR) for 10 years. Saudi citizens do not pay any of these — they visit on the £20 ETA instead.
Saudi students have a strong 98% grant rate, across 5,712 applications in the year ending June 2026. Saudi Arabia is one of the UK's larger student markets, supported by the King Abdullah Scholarship Programme. The Student visa costs $791 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. The ETA does not cover study beyond short recreational courses, so degree students always need a full Student visa.
Standard visitor, student, and work visa decisions take around 3 weeks from the biometric appointment at VFS Global, while settlement and family cases can take up to 12 weeks. The priority service, at $709 where offered, shortens non-settlement decisions. ETA applications are much faster — most Saudi citizens receive a decision within minutes, though UKVI advises allowing up to three working days.
VFS Global runs UK visa application centres in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, also serving Al Khobar. After completing and paying for the online application at gov.uk, you book a biometrics appointment at your nearest centre to give fingerprints and a photograph. Saudi nationals applying for an ETA do not visit a centre at all, as the ETA is handled entirely through the app.
للمواطنين السعوديين، تصريح السفر الإلكتروني (ETA) يكلف 20 جنيهاً إسترلينياً فقط ويغني عن التأشيرة للزيارات القصيرة. أما المقيمون حاملو الإقامة من الجنسيات التي تتطلب تأشيرة: تأشيرة الزيارة لستة أشهر 191 دولاراً (716 ريالات)، وتأشيرة الطالب 791 دولاراً، وتأشيرة العمل الماهر 1,162 دولاراً، وتأشيرة الزوج 2,927 دولاراً. تُدفع الرسوم بالدولار الأمريكي عند التقديم الإلكتروني.
لا. يحتاج المواطن السعودي فقط إلى تصريح السفر الإلكتروني (ETA) للزيارات حتى ستة أشهر — للسياحة أو الأعمال أو زيارة الأقارب. يُطلب عبر تطبيق UK ETA وتصدر الموافقة عادةً خلال دقائق، ويسري لمدة سنتين. ومن 25 فبراير 2026 لن يُسمح بالصعود إلى الطائرة دون تصريح ساري. أما العمل أو الدراسة الطويلة أو الاستقرار فتتطلب تأشيرة مناسبة.