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 an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for short visits, while expatriates living in Saudi Arabia apply according to their passport nationality. Saudi students remain a major UK market, with a 97% grant rate. For Iqama holders needing a visa, fees start at $189 (709 SAR) for the visitor route, processed through VFS Global in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2026. Fees from the Home Office visa fee calculator, 8 April 2026 schedule. SAR pegged at 3.75 per USD.
Two rules matter most. Saudi nationals need an ETA, now £20, and from 25 February 2026 carriers must verify it before boarding — no ETA, no travel. Iqama holders, by contrast, apply by passport nationality: a Pakistani or Indian resident still needs a full visa. Fees rose under the 8 April 2026 schedule, and approved applicants now receive a digital eVisa rather than a passport sticker.
UK ETA and Visa Requirements from Saudi Arabia 2026
Saudi Arabia presents two distinct audiences. Saudi citizens are ETA-eligible and need only the £20 authorisation for short visits. 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.
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.
UK ETA for Saudi Citizens
Saudi citizens visiting for tourism, business, or short study up to 6 months need an Electronic Travel Authorisation. The ETA replaced the older Electronic Visa Waiver in February 2024, when Saudi Arabia joined as part of the Gulf rollout. It is applied for through the UK ETA app and is almost always approved — the scheme's issue rate runs at 99.6%.
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. Apply through the UK ETA app or at gov.uk well before travel — most decisions arrive within minutes, but allow up to three working days.
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. 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. This is the key point for the millions of workers in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Visa-nationals must apply for a full UK visa, but the convenience is that they can apply from within Saudi Arabia, using a Saudi address, employer letter, and local bank statements.
An Iqama lets you apply for a UK visa from Saudi Arabia, but it does not change whether you need one. Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, Filipino, and other visa-national residents apply for a Standard Visitor visa or other category at VFS Global, with biometrics in the Kingdom. 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 and converted to Saudi Riyals at the fixed peg of 3.75 SAR per USD. The 8 April 2026 schedule raised most fees — the 6-month visitor visa rose from $177 to $189. The Immigration Health Surcharge applies separately to work, study, and family visas at £1,035 per year (£776 for students), always in pounds.
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Fee (SAR) |
|---|---|---|
| ETA (Saudi nationals) | £20 | ~95 |
| 6-month Visitor | $189 | 709 |
| 2-year Visitor | $708 | 2,655 |
| 5-year Visitor | $1,263 | 4,736 |
| 10-year Visitor | $1,577 | 5,914 |
| Student | $783 | 2,936 |
| Skilled Worker (≤3 years) | $1,149 | 4,309 |
| Health and Care Worker | $455 | 1,706 |
| Spouse / Partner | $2,896 | 10,860 |
| Priority service | $702 | 2,633 |
UK Visit Visa from Saudi Arabia 2026
Iqama holders from visa-national countries need a Standard Visitor visa costing $189 (709 SAR) for six months, with long-term options up to $1,577 for 10 years. Saudi nationals use the £20 ETA instead. Processing takes around 3 weeks, and applications are lodged at VFS Global in Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam using a Saudi address and bank statements.
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 (residence permit) confirming your status.
- Bank statements, usually 6 months, showing sufficient funds.
- Employer letter from your Saudi employer.
- UK accommodation details or a host's invitation.
- Evidence of ties to Saudi Arabia and your home country.
UK Student Visa from Saudi Arabia 2026
The UK Student visa from Saudi Arabia costs $783 (2,936 SAR) plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year. Saudi nationals need this visa — the ETA does not cover study — and so do resident Iqama holders. The Saudi student grant rate is a strong 97% across 6,789 applications, supported by government scholarship programmes.
Saudi Arabia is one of the UK's largest student markets, helped by the King Abdullah Scholarship Programme, and the UK Student visa grant rate sits at 97%. Applicants need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, must meet the English language requirement, and show maintenance funds of £1,483 per month for London or £1,136 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 from Saudi Arabia costs $1,149 (4,309 SAR) for up to 3 years, or $2,270 for longer. Applicants need a graduate-level job, a £41,700 minimum salary, and a sponsoring UK employer. The Health and Care Worker visa has a reduced $455 fee and is exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The Skilled Worker visa is the main employment route for Saudi residents, requiring a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer and a salary meeting the going rate in the Home Office eligible occupations list. Healthcare professionals use the lower-fee Health and Care Worker route, which is also IHS-exempt.
| Work Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Fee (SAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (≤3 years) | $1,149 | 4,309 |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | $2,270 | 8,513 |
| Health and Care Worker | $455 | 1,706 |
| Global Talent (with approval) | $288 | 1,080 |
UK Spouse Visa from Saudi Arabia 2026
The UK Spouse visa from Saudi Arabia costs $2,896 (10,860 SAR). The UK sponsor must earn at least £29,000 a year. The first visa lasts 33 months and leads to settlement after 5 years. Both Saudi nationals and resident Iqama holders use this route, as the ETA never covers settlement or family migration.
The UK Spouse visa lets a partner join a British or settled sponsor under Appendix FM. After two grants totalling five years, applicants can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Sponsors must show a genuine relationship, the £29,000 income, suitable accommodation, and meet the A1 English requirement.
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. Begin at gov.uk.
- 1. Saudi nationals: apply for the ETA via the UK ETA app.
- 2. Iqama holders: complete the online visa application at gov.uk.
- 3. Pay the fee in US Dollars during the application.
- 4. Book biometrics at VFS Global Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam.
- 5. Attend your appointment with passport and documents.
- 6. Access your eVisa through your UKVI account once approved.
Standard visa processing is around 3 weeks, with settlement cases up to 12 weeks; the priority service can shorten this. Our guide to processing times after biometrics explains the timelines for each route once you have attended your appointment.
- Saudi nationals need an ETA (£20), enforced from 25 February 2026.
- Iqama holders apply by passport nationality, not residence.
- 6-month Visitor visa: $189 (709 SAR); long-term up to $1,577.
- Student visa: $783 (2,936 SAR); strong 97% grant rate.
- Skilled Worker visa: $1,149 (4,309 SAR); £41,700 salary floor.
- Spouse visa: $2,896 (10,860 SAR), requiring £29,000 income.
- Apply at VFS Global in Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam.
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 $189 (709 SAR), the Student visa $783 (2,936 SAR), the Skilled Worker visa $1,149 (4,309 SAR), and the Spouse visa $2,896 (10,860 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 $189 (709 SAR), and your Iqama lets you apply locally rather than returning home to do so.
Saudi students have a strong 97% grant rate, across 6,789 applications in the year ending March 2026. Saudi Arabia is one of the UK's larger student markets, supported by the King Abdullah Scholarship Programme. The Student visa costs $783 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. The ETA does not cover study beyond short recreational courses, so degree students always need a full Student visa.
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.