Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly popular destination for travelers from the United Kingdom, driven by both business opportunities and its rich cultural heritage. To accommodate the varying purposes of travel, the Saudi government offers a range of visa types for UK citizens. Understanding these different visa categories is crucial for a smooth entry process and ensuring that travelers have the appropriate documentation for their visit. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the main types of visas available for UK citizens seeking entry into Saudi Arabia.
Types of visa to enter Saudi Arabia from the UK:
- Saudi EVW (Electronic Visa Waiver)
- Visit visa
- Umrah visa
- Transit visa
- Business visa
Saudi EVW (Electronic Visa Waiver):
An Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) is like an electronic visa that is permitted to certain people for traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. Instead of doing a load of paperwork at an embassy, travelers can apply for an EVW via online services. There are many purposes you can use an EVW visa such as:
- Tourism
- Study
- Medical Purposes
- Businesses
Now the question stands who are those specific people who are eligible for EVW?
According to the Ministry Law, the nationals from these countries are eligible for EVW:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The EVW allows nationals of these countries to allow pilgrims from the UK for up to six months at short notice without the need to apply for a Visitor visa. The EVW also allows travel to the UK via the Republic of Ireland.
- Once approved, the traveler receives an electronic authorization that allows them to enter the country for a specified time.
- To apply for an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) for Umrah from the UK, you must have the following document:
- Have a valid passport that is biometric and has at least six months of validity beyond your intended travel date
- Have a passport-sized photo with a white background
- Have an email address to receive notification approval
- Have a confirmed booking
- Plan to travel to the UK for purposes of tourism, business, study, or medical treatment
- Apply online for an EVW at least 48 hours before your flights, or up to 90 days in advance
- Provide your flight details
- Provide a photo where the person photographer’s head is square to the camera, and their face and eyes are straight towards the camera
The EVW allows you to enter Saudi Arabia once and stay for up to 6 months. You will receive an email reply with your visa issued to the email you submit within 24 hours.
Here are the benefits you will get while applying for EVW:
- Convenience
- Time-saving
- Cost-effectiveness
- Increased tourism and business travel
- Enhanced security measures
- Reciprocity and diplomatic relations
Visit visa
UK citizens need an e-visa or an electronic visa waiver (EVW) to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah. It depends on the nature/reason for travel and how long you want or stay before approving the type of visa you want.
Here are some requirements for a Saudi tourist visa:
- A passport that’s valid for at least six months and has at least two blank visa pages
- A passport-type photograph
- Health insurance purchased from Saudi Arabia
- Proof of accommodation
- Applicants must be 18+ unless accompanied by a legal guardian
- You can apply for an e-visa online before you travel or on arrival at any of Saudi Arabia’s international airports.
Umrah visa
To get an Umrah visa from the UK, you must apply to a licensed travel agent. You must meet the following requirements:
- A valid passport with at least six months validity from the date of arrival in the Saudi Arabia.
- Two passport-sized photos
- Proof of Muslim identity, such as a passport
- Enough finances to meet your needs in Saudi Arabia
- Make sure to book non-refundable flight tickets
- An active e-mail addresses
- A copy of a UK Visa or BRP Card
You can also contact an approved travel agency in your home country to prepare your application and journey. It is a must for you to apply for an Umrah e-visa a week before your designated departure date. The e-visa processing time usually takes up to 2 days.
Transit visa
If you are traveling from the UK and Umrah transit visa is a must for you to pass through Saudi Arabia and meet the following requirements:
- The net flight is not coming within 12 hours.
- They will pass through immigration control.
- They will leave Saudi Arabia on a separate ticket to the one they arrive on.
- Their airline is not approved by Saudi Arabia.
- There is no need for a transit visa for international travelers who are staying at the airport within 12 hours.
You can get the transit visa via the embassy, your airline, or the MOFA website. 72-hour and 96-hour visas are the two types of visas used in transit visas.
Business visa:
A Saudi business visa is needed in the situation of any business activities in Saudi Arabia.
The application requires:
- A valid passport with a chip and blank pages
- Passport photographs
- A completed application forms
- A business letters
The application fee varies depending on the type of visa and the number of entries.
The application can be submitted to the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London. It usually takes less than 2 to 3 working days, and the digital Visa is usually processed in about 25 minutes. After receiving the E-visa, you can use it to enter or depart from the Saudi nation within 90 days.
To get more information read also: What is the impact of technology on the Umrah journey?
Navigating the visa options for Saudi Arabia can seem to be with doubts, but understanding the different categories helps streamline the process. Whether traveling for leisure, work, study, religious purposes, or visiting family, UK citizens have various visa types to choose from, each catering to specific needs and circumstances. Prospective travelers should ensure they meet all requirements and provide accurate documentation to facilitate a smooth application process. For the latest and most accurate information, consulting the official Saudi Arabian consulate or embassy in the UK is highly recommended.
