Saudi Arabia has launched an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for UK citizens, allowing multiple entries and stays of up to 180 days a year for tourism, short-term study, and business. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the service on June 25, 2026, and it takes effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
If you hold a British passport and are planning a trip to Riyadh or Jeddah, here is what the new authorization means for you.
What the Saudi ETA for UK citizens covers
The ETA is an online travel authorization that lets UK citizens enter Saudi Arabia without applying for a traditional visa first. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the key terms are:
- Multiple entries into the Kingdom on a single authorization
- Stays of up to 180 days, taken consecutively or across several visits
- A validity window of one year
- Open to holders of all types of UK passports
The 180-day allowance is generous compared with many e-visa schemes, giving long-stay visitors, repeat business travellers, and those with family in the Kingdom far more flexibility.
What you can and can’t do on the ETA
The authorization permits travel for a defined set of purposes. It is not an all-access pass.
You can use the Saudi ETA for tourism, short-term study, and business visits. It does not cover work, residence, or Hajj — each of those still requires the relevant dedicated visa.
| Permitted on the ETA | Requires a separate visa |
|---|---|
| Tourism | Employment / work |
| Short-term study | Residence |
| Business visits | Hajj |
If your trip falls outside the permitted purposes, apply for the correct visa through the official Saudi visa portal rather than relying on the ETA.
When it starts and why it matters
The service goes live on July 1, 2026. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs framed it as a reciprocal step, mirroring the arrangement already extended to Saudi citizens travelling to Britain.
UK travellers became eligible for the new route just as Saudi nationals were brought into the UK’s own ETA scheme, which now applies on flights into London Heathrow and other UK gateways. The two systems now move in step, easing travel in both directions.
How to apply, fees and requirements
UK citizens apply online — there is no need to visit an embassy or consulate. The authorization is issued electronically before you travel.
A dedicated ETA application page is expected to go live with the service on July 1, 2026. Until then, the official Saudi visa portal remains the channel for e-visas.
Fee and processing time
As of late June 2026, Saudi authorities had not published the ETA’s exact fee or approval time. Confirm both on the official portal before you apply.
For reference, Saudi Arabia’s existing tourist e-visa costs around SAR 535 (about £110), including mandatory medical insurance, and is usually issued within minutes to a few hours.
Passport and insurance
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.
- Saudi e-visas include health cover up to SAR 100,000; check what your ETA includes and consider additional travel insurance, as medical treatment can be costly.
- You may be refused entry if your passport shows travel to, or birth in, Israel.
Planning your trip
With longer stays now on the table, it is a good moment to lock in fares and rooms early. Compare flights to Riyadh and flights to Jeddah on Wego, with carriers including Saudia and British Airways.
Once your dates are set, browse hotels in Riyadh and hotels in Jeddah to find a base for your stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Saudi ETA for UK citizens start?
The service takes effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, as announced by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How long can UK citizens stay in Saudi Arabia on the ETA?
Up to 180 days within one year, either in a single stay or across multiple visits, with multiple entries allowed.
Can I perform Hajj on the Saudi ETA?
No. The ETA does not cover Hajj, work, or residence — these require the relevant dedicated visa.
How do UK citizens apply for the Saudi ETA, and what does it cost?
Applications are made online through Saudi Arabia’s official visa portal, with no embassy visit needed. As of late June 2026, the exact fee and approval time had not been published, so check the portal for confirmed details before you travel.
Sources
- Saudi Press Agency — Ministry of Foreign Affairs Launches Electronic Travel Authorization Service for UK Citizens
- Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Official website
- Saudi eVisa — Official Saudi visa portal
- UK Government — Saudi Arabia travel advice: entry requirements
- UK Government — Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK
- Arabian Business — Saudi Arabia launches new travel authorisation for UK citizens from July 1
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
