The UK ETA for Saudi citizens is an electronic permit that grants Saudis permission to travel to the UK for short durations and is not the same as a UK visa for Saudi citizens. The UK Home Office provides the UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme for eligible travelers from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other eligible countries.
The goal of the UK government is to make traveling to the UK simple for Saudi nationals with a straightforward online application and no need to carry physical documentation around for entry or the duration of your UK visit.
The United Kingdom created the ETA to replace the old UK Electronic Visa Waiver scheme (UK EVW). The old scheme was quite costly and lengthy to apply for, while the ETA has streamlined processes and lowered the cost.
Numerous countries around the world have an ETA scheme, including the US, Canada, and Australia. There is also an ETA for the European Union, known as the ETIAS, which is set to launch at the end of 2026.
Here’s everything you need to know about the current United Kingdom ETA:
Read on to discover more about the UK ETA online application and everything you must know as a Saudi citizen.
Did you know that there’s no such thing as a UK ETA visa? The ETA and the visa are different documents. Here’s what you need to know:
While the UK does have a wide range of visas, they don’t currently have a UK electronic visa (UK eVisa) that can be applied for entirely online. If you believe that you need a visa for your travels to the UK, you need to find out what type of UK visa you need. Common visa types include the Standard Visitor Visa for tourism, a Marriage Visa to get married in the UK, and the Direct Airside Transit visa, which enables citizens from countries ineligible for the ETA to transit through the UK on their journey to another destination.
The UK ETA makes visits to the United Kingdom safe and secure for Saudi nationals.
Everyone in your travel group, including infants, babies, and the elderly, must apply individually for an ETA. The following are the requirements to apply for the ETA:
You must hold Saudi citizenship to apply for the United Kingdom ETA for Saudi citizens. The UK government has rolled out the ETA in phases, with Saudi nationals requiring an ETA from 22 February 2024 onwards.
Unlike a UK tourist visa, the ETA limits the duration of your stay to 6 months. You must comply with the 6-month limit, or you may be prevented entry into the UK in the future. If your intended trip is expected to last beyond 6 months you must apply for an appropriate visa.
Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are in the UK. If your passport expires, your ETA will expire with it, and you could face deportation and be prevented from returning to the UK again.
The UK Home Office stipulates that travelers must not have a criminal history. You will not be eligible for an ETA if:
Obtaining the UK ETA for Saudi Citizens requires you to provide specific documents and information. It is simple once you know how to apply for a UK visa or ETA from Saudi Arabia.
You will need to provide a valid passport that is not due to expire during your planned visit to the UK.
A recent photo must be provided (taken within the last 3 months). Your photo must:
There is a set fee for a UK ETA and you must have a valid debit or credit card to pay it. Alternatively, you can use Google Pay or Apple Pay.
Because the ETA updates and confirmation are delivered electronically, you will need a valid email address that you have access to. Your ETA receipt and decision will be sent to your email address.
The UK ETA online application is a simple process that’s entirely online – you don’t need to visit an embassy or visa center in person.
Complete your UK ETA application form, providing your personal details, including your name, home address, and date of birth. Every traveler, including children and babies, will need to have an individual ETA. You can apply for the ETA on their behalf.
Attach a scanned copy of your passport and your recent photo. Ensure your photograph meets the requirements with no face coverings and a blank background.
Pay the non-refundable UK ETA fee to submit your application. You can pay using a debit or credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
Your ETA approval will be sent to your valid email address. Once approved, your passport will be updated digitally with the ETA. You will not need to visit an office, but we advise you to print the ETA confirmation or have a digital copy ready in case you need it.
The process for applying is quite simple, but here are a few tips to ensure it goes smoothly.
It is important that if you are applying for a UK visa of any type (or an ETA), you are doing so in advance of your anticipated travels. Don’t leave an ETA application until the last minute. UK Immigration and Border Control advise that most ETA applications are processed within 3 working days; however, sometimes decisions can take longer.
The fee to apply for a UK ETA is currently £10, though the UK government will increase it to £16 after 9 April.
The fee must be paid for each traveler in your party, as every individual requires their own ETA. Fees are non-refundable, irrespective of whether your ETA is approved or denied.
Once granted the ETA, you can travel to and stay in the UK for up to 6 months without requiring an additional visa. The ETA is usually valid for up to 2 years, and you can travel to the UK as many times as you want during that period, as long as you do not stay for more than 6 months at a time.
The ETA is digitally linked to your passport, rather than your identity. This means that if your passport expires before the 2 years are up, your ETA will also expire.
If your passport expires before the 2 years are finished and the ETA expires along with it, you will need to reapply for a new ETA and pay the fees again. So, make sure your passport is valid for at least 2 years before you apply to take full advantage of the validity period!
After you obtain the ETA, you will receive an email confirming that it has been digitally applied to your passport – there is no physical paperwork.
When you land in the UK (or enter the UK via ferry or the Channel Tunnel), you will need to present your passport to border control. They will scan your passport to make sure you have the ETA digitally attached and ask any questions they may have before you are allowed to enter the country.
Note: if you land in the UK at an airport, it is likely that you will see the ePassport gates. eGates are available at border control to speed up the clearance process through automation. However, access is currently limited to British citizens, nationals from EU countries, and nationals of Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States. They can also be used by members of the Registered Traveller Service.
Once you have entered the UK, you can visit anywhere in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. However, you cannot use the ETA to participate in any restricted activities such as getting married, working, studying, or committing any type of crime.
Enjoy your travels to the UK safely with an ETA!
Most travelers need a UK ETA, including the elderly and infants, if they want to visit the UK. However, there are some exceptions:
There have been news stories about ETA applications being rejected or denied. If this happens to you, don’t panic and follow the steps below.
Your emailed decision will state whether you have been rejected or refused.
Do Saudis need a visa to enter the UK?
Yes, Saudi citizens need a visa to enter the UK, depending on the purpose and duration of their visit. If your trip is 6 months or less, you should be eligible for an ETA and won’t need a visa.
Do I need a visa for London?
If you are traveling from Saudi Arabia to London for less than 6 months as a tourist, you need an ETA. You only need a visa for London if you want to stay in the UK for more than 6 months or for purposes that are not allowed with the ETA.
Do I need an ETA to enter the UK?
Yes, for trips of up to 6 months, an ETA will be needed for most visits to the UK. However, if you plan to work, get married, or travel for a reason excluded by an ETA, you will need an appropriate visa.
Do I need a UK eVisa to visit the UK?
An eVisa is an online record of immigration that details your permission to visit and stay within the country. You will only need to apply for an eVisa if you intend to immigrate to the UK. It is not used for short-term travel.
Is the UK ETA available for Gulf countries?
Most Gulf countries are covered by the ETA, however, some Gulf countries have not been added to the approved ETA list yet. ETAs are available for the following Gulf countries:
Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Is a UK visa for GCC residents a requirement?
GCC citizens are eligible for the UK ETA scheme if they hold passports of an ETA-eligible country. They are also eligible for a range of other visas if their planned trip falls outside the ETA requirements or if they hold a passport from an ineligible country.
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