Getting a UK Visa from Saudi Arabia: Everything You Need to Know

If you are planning to travel to the United Kingdom, you must apply for the relevant travel permits. Whether you’re staying short-term or long-term, for tourism or study, work or leisure, you can’t enter the country without them!

This blog contains everything you need to know about the UK ETA and UK visa for Saudi citizens. We’ll explore the UK visa requirements, the different types of visas, and how to apply.

But first, do you need a visa or an ETA? The UK visa waiver (EVW) was discontinued for Saudi Arabian citizens last year. From February 2024, Saudi citizens need the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for short-term tourism, business, and transit visits.

Let’s explore getting the ETA or UK visa from Saudi Arabia.

Understanding the UK ETA for Saudi Travelers

The UK ETA is now replacing the UK EVW. However, it is important to understand that the UK ETA is not a visa but rather a digital permission slip that allows you to travel to the UK without a visa for specific purposes.

Saudi citizens can travel on the ETA for purposes like:

• Tourism
• Visiting family or friends
• Business
• Short-term study
• Transit, if going through border control
• Creative Worker visa concession (3 months).

If you intend to stay in the UK for other purposes, apply for the relevant visa instead.

Benefits of the UK ETA

The UK ETA was introduced to make travel safer and easier.

• The entire process is completed online.
• It’s quick and easy with shorter processing times.
• You don’t need to visit an embassy to apply.
• You’ll receive confirmation via email.
• The ETA is applied digitally to your passport - no paperwork!

For the UK border control, this allows them to prescreen travelers. It also means wait times are reduced and the entire process is more affordable, efficient, and safe.

Validity and Duration of Stay

Saudi citizens eligible for the UK ETA can stay in London (or any place in the UK) for up to 6 months at a time. The ETA is valid for 2 years or until the holedr’s passport expires - whichever comes first.

How to apply for a UK ETA from Saudi Arabia

Applying for the ETA is straightforward. You apply online here by providing your details, passport, recent photo, email, and valid payment method. Most applications are processed within 3 working days and can be processed even quicker most of the time.

Types of UK Visas for Saudi Citizens

Before you apply for a UK visa, make sure you are applying for the right type. If you are traveling for tourism, the ETA is a perfect option.

UK Skilled Worker Visa

If you are traveling to the UK to work for longer than 6 months, you can apply for this visa.

Occupation-specific visas include:

• Health and care work visa (5 years)
• International sportsperson visa (3 years)
• Religious worker visa (2 years)
• Minister of religion visa (3 years and 1 month)
• Charity worker visa (1 year)

If you are coming to the UK for a government-authorized exchange scheme, you need a government-authorized exchange visa (2 years). If you work for another government or authority body, you need an International Agreement visa (The International Agreement visa length varies depending on the contract, but it is usually valid for 2 years).

If you have a qualification from a listed university, you might be eligible for the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa for work.

You can also apply for the Global Talent Visa (3 to 5 years) if you are nominated as a world leader in:

• Arts and culture (film star, fashion designer, architect, etc.)
• Academia or research (medical researcher, engineering, etc.)
• Digital technology (fintech, AI expert, gaming professional, etc.)

If you work in a creative industry but aren’t a world leader, there’s the Creative Worker visa (1 year).

Finally, if none of the previous visas apply to you, and you have a job offer from an employer in the UK, you need to apply for the Skilled Worker visa allowing you to work in the UK for 5 years.

UK Student Visa

If you are traveling to the UK to study for longer than 6 months, you need the relevant student visa:

• Short-term study visa English language course for up to 11 months.
• Student visa further or higher education course (e.g. university courses).
• Child student visa independent school study for travelers aged 4 to 17.

UK Business Visa

If you are an employee at a company, there are various Global Business Mobility visas you can apply for:

• Graduate trainee visa (1 year)
• Secondment worker visa (1 year)
• Senior or specialist worker visa (5 years)
• Service supplier visa (1 year)
• UK expansion worker visa (1 year)

If you are a business person, you might need one of these visas:

• Innovator founder visa (e.g. setting up an innovative business in the UK)
• UK Expansion Worker visa (e.g. a reporter for a news agency)
• Scale-up worker visa (e.g. work in a fast-growing industry)

UK Family Visa

If you are coming to the UK to join your family for more than 6 months, you need a Family visa. To get this visa, the family member you are visiting in the UK must be a British citizen, a settled resident, has refugee status, or holds humanitarian protection.

If you want to get married in the UK, you can apply for a Marriage Visitor visa for up to 6 months.

Required Documents for UK Visas

The requirements you need for the UK visa application vary. Most visas require:

Passport

You need a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your stay.

Personal Details

Provide:

• Your name and date of birth
• Your parents’ names and dates of birth
• Home address
• Annual income
• Details of any crimes committed
• Details of your intended stay (where you’ll live, how long you’ll stay, how much you’ll spend)

Visa Application Centre

Visit a visa application center to prove your identity, provide the relevant documentation, and have your biometric info taken.

Specific Requirements

Depending on your age and type of visa, you might also need to provide:

• Employer’s address and phone number
• Partner’s name, date of birth, and passport number
• Details of family members in the UK
• Details of your travel history
• Parental consent
• School admission letter
• Certificate of Sponsorship from an employer

UK Visa Application Process for Saudi Citizens

Current UK Visa Fees

To get a UK visa from Saudi Arabia, you’ll need to pay the fees when you apply. These vary depending on the type of visa and the purposes of your visit. For the most common visa types:

Visa Type	Fee (USD)
Child visa - 10 years	1292
Child visa - 2 years	580
Child visa - 5 years	1035
Child visa - short-term	154
Marriage visitor visa	154
Short-term study visa	262
Single entry visa to replace a biometric residence permit	198
Standard visitor visa - 10 years	1292
Standard visitor visa - 2 years	580
Standard visitor visa - 5 years	1014
Standard visitor visa - short-term	151
Standard visitor visa for private medical treatment	268
Student visa	658
Temporary work visa - charity work	392
Tier 1 entrepreneur visa - dependents	1598
Tier 1 investor visa	2528
Work visa - innovator founder	1598
Work visa - representative of an overseas business visa	965
Work visa - start-up	584

In addition to the fees listed above, you may wish to pay additional fees to expedite your application.

Super priority service

1342

How much you pay depends on the length of your stay and whether you’re applying from within the UK. You may also need to pay a healthcare surcharge. The fees listed above are in USD and are subject to change based on the exchange rate to GBP and changes made by the UK Home Office. 

Processing Times for UK Visas

After you’ve provided the UK work visa requirements or other requirements for the visa you need, wait for the application to be processed. This varies but is typically 3 weeks for skilled worker and student visas, and 12 business weeks for family visas.

You can get a faster decision by paying for a priority service. This costs £500 and reduces the wait time to 5 business days for work and student visas, and 30 business days for family visas.

What to Do if Your UK Visa Application is Rejected

• Finances you couldn’t prove you have the funds for your stay in the UK.
• Documents Your documents weren’t translated properly, were submitted incorrectly, or don’t meet eligibility requirements.
• Credibility there are inconsistencies between your interview responses and paperwork, or other reasons that question your authenticity (e.g. past immigration breaches or criminal record).

If your visa application is rejected, your email from the UK Home Office explains why. If it’s a case of missing documentation, lack of finances, or incorrect info supplied during application, fix the problem and reapply. If there’s a problem with your eligibility or credibility, you may need an immigration lawyer for assistance.

UK Visa for Saudi Iqama Holders

If you are a Saudi Iqama holder (you have a Saudi residence permit to reside in Saudi Arabia), you must apply for either the ETA or relevant visa to visit the UK.

Whether you can apply for the ETA or a visa depends on your citizenship. If you are a citizen of a country that’s eligible for the ETA scheme, use the ETA for visits under 6 months for tourism, business, or study. If your citizenship is not eligible for the ETA, apply for a UK visit visa from Saudi Arabia, or another UK visa if you want to stay for longer as described above.

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