UK visa for Saudis 2024

The United Kingdom announced the dispensing with the usual British visa for Saudis 2024 and replacing it with the ETA visa, which can be obtained electronically through the official application of the British Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

The possibility of using this system was announced starting from Thursday, February 1, 2024, and work was resumed on the 22nd of the same month to facilitate Saudi passport holders to visit the United Kingdom.

The new visa allows multiple entries for its holder during the validity period, which extends to two years, and it can be obtained for a nominal fee of only 10 British pounds, which is approximately 48 Saudi riyals.

The new visa can be used for multiple travel purposes such as travel for tourism, business, short-term study or medical treatment, and this step confirms the increasing interconnectedness between the two countries’ relations and the continuous coordination between them.

UK visa for Saudis eta

British government sources announced that all those wishing to travel to the United Kingdom, including children, must issue an electronic travel authorization (ETA), as the application can be submitted on behalf of other people using the Internet.

A set of official documents are required to accept the application for an electronic visa, such as attaching a copy of the passport and a personal photo. Applicants are exempted from specifying details of travel dates and residence address within the United Kingdom.

The response of approval or rejection of the e-Visa is sent via the applicant’s email within three official working days or less, and it may sometimes take longer than that depending on the type of visa.

Travelers can obtain a visa within 24 hours of filling out the application on the website, and it can be used within a period ranging from three months to 48 hours from the travel date and for a period of two full years.

Read also: British visa for Saudis, conditions and requirements for obtaining the visa

How much is the UK visa for Saudis?

The new 2024 UK visa prices for Saudis reach 10 pounds sterling, which is estimated at about 48 Saudi riyals only, and the visa can be obtained to visit England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales without issuing a visa for short trips.

The e-Visa waiver feature for Saudi citizens from the UK visa helps them benefit from entering the UK more than once, and the duration of stay for one time is up to six months.

The new e-Visa helps reduce costs for Saudi passport holders as the cost of the visa has been reduced to £10 instead of £30 previously.

How long does London visa for Saudis take?

The period for obtaining a new British visa for Saudis 2024 ranges from 48 hours before the travel date to a maximum period of three months, and the date is calculated from the date of submitting the application and calculating the number of official working days only.

Saudi citizens wishing to visit the United Kingdom must first submit an electronic application, upload all required documents, and ensure that the entered data is correct. This helps save time in obtaining the visa.

UK e-Visa for Saudis

A British visa for Saudis 2024 can be obtained electronically by following some steps, which are as follows:

• Download UK ETA App
• Log in to the application and complete the required data such as the applicant’s name and personal phone number.
• Upload a recent copy of your passport, which must be valid for at least six months.
• Use a scanner to take a picture of your face.
• Upload a personal photo of the applicant.
• Answering questions asked on the site.
• Pay the visa issuance fees.
• Click on the submit application icon, then wait for the response from the relevant authorities.

Read also: UK Visa Online

UK e-Visa for Saudis

The electronic exemption feature for issuing a British visa for Saudis 2024 helps to benefit from visiting the United Kingdom and entering at least once for a stay of up to six months.

This feature is one of the facilitating features that helps enable Saudi citizens and passport holders to complete entry procedures to the United Kingdom in the shortest possible time, and without the need to visit the British Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

The electronic exemption system for Saudi citizens will continue until further notice, whether from the competent authorities in the United Kingdom or the competent authority in Saudi Arabia, and this will help increase the opportunities for mutual tourism between the two countries.

UK Visa Online

Obtaining a British visa for Saudi Arabia 2024 online requires fulfilling a set of conditions that have been determined starting from the date of announcing the visa. The most important of these conditions are:

• Submit the original Saudi passport, which must be valid for at least six months.
• Upload recent personal photos to the website that meet the required visa photo standards.
• Confirm payment of all required visa fees, which amount to £10 instead of £30 previously.
• Pay the required fees by choosing the electronic payment methods provided by the site, such as a credit card, debit card, or payment via Google Pay or Apple Pay.
• Register the applicant’s email, making sure it is activated and that he receives notifications about the application continuously.
• Record all the required data and complete the fields of the application form, and make sure to write the correct information.

Read also: UK visa for Kuwaitis

Urgent UK Visa

The United Kingdom has provided the possibility of issuing an urgent British visa for Saudis 2024 through its website. This service provides the possibility of receiving and issuing the visa within only 24 hours from the date of submitting the application.

You must ensure that all the required conditions are met and the documents mentioned on the website are uploaded to complete the response process to submit the application within a period of up to 15 days at least before the travel date to avoid visa rejection.

UK tourist visa

The United Kingdom allows the use of the British visa for Saudi Arabia 2024 electronically to enter its territory for tourism. The visa can be used for a period of up to two years and multiple entries are allowed. It is also necessary to ensure that the passport is valid before traveling.

Read also: UK Work Visa

London visa for Saudis

London is a great tourist destination for Saudis. It is rich in history and cultural sites such as the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. You can shop on Oxford Street and enjoy a traditional British tea experience. Stroll along the banks of the Thames and explore the amazing museums and art galleries.

The UK government has recently announced significant changes to visa criteria for visitors from the GCC. It will now remove visa requirements for citizens of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Jordan.

Instead, they will be given an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) that costs £10 ($12) and is valid for two years. This means travelers from these countries will have the same entry requirements as US and Australian citizens.

This initiative will start in October 2023 for Qatari citizens, then extend to the rest of the GCC countries and Jordan in February 2024. There are plans to expand this initiative to a global level throughout 2024.

Find out about the best tourist places in London.

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Visa Requirements

If you are planning to travel from Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom for tourism purposes, you should consider the following options:

1. Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA): You can apply for an electronic travel authorization.
   
   
2. Electronic Visa Waiver: Saudi Arabia is eligible for the UK’s electronic visa waiver (EVW), which allows travellers to enter the UK for tourism, business, study and medical purposes without the need for a visa.

Be sure to review the requirements and conditions for these options and apply according to the option that best suits your travel purpose.

How to get an electronic entry permit to the United Kingdom from Saudi Arabia:

The United Kingdom has decided to exempt Saudi citizens from visit visa requirements and replace them with an electronic entry permit starting from June 2022. Saudi citizens can now apply online for this permit.

This permit allows Saudi nationals to visit the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, business, study or medical treatment. It is important to note that this permit cannot be used to work in the UK, get married or register a civil partnership.

Applicants can apply online and submit the required documents, which are:

1. Current valid passport.
   
   
2. UK residential address (if available).
   
   
3. Flight details to and from the UK, including dates, flight number, and place of arrival (such as airport, port or station).

After submitting the application and the required documents, it will be studied, and if approved, the electronic permit will be granted to the traveler. This permit can be used to visit the United Kingdom once, and if you need to return again, you must check the specific entry requirements at that time.

Read also: UK visa for Qataris - all the details!

How to get an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) to the UK:

1. Go to the following link [ application link ], where you will find the electronic application form.
   
   
2. Fill out the form carefully and accurately, making sure that the information entered matches what is in the passport. There should be no discrepancies in the information for the application to be approved.
   
   
3. Please complete the form within 48 hours of your scheduled travel to the UK. It is very important that the form is submitted within this time frame.
   
   
4. You do not need to visit the visa application center or any office. You can apply and complete the entire process online.
   
   
5. You will receive an email with the link to your EVW within 24 hours of submitting your application. You must download and save the EVW to your mobile phone or other device.
   
   
6. When you arrive at the UK border, you will need to present your exemption either electronically via your device or on paper to the authorities. This exemption will help you enter the UK with ease and convenience.

Visa fees

£30 non-refundable fee.

You can also find all the details on the UK government website here .

Find out about the best tourist places in London.

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The UK e-Visa for Saudis is used for multiple purposes, the most famous of which is tourism. You can stay for up to six months at a time from entry, and no additional costs must be paid when changing the purpose of the visa.