The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially launched a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme for citizens of the United Kingdom, significantly easing bilateral travel and extending the maximum permitted stay for visitors.

London airport via unsplash ledc

UK Passport British passport via unsplash ethan-wilkinson

Effective from Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the digital entry system allows all categories of British passport holders to secure a one-year, multiple-entry permit online without the need to visit an embassy or consulate. Under the new framework, eligible travellers can remain in the Kingdom for up to 180 days within a single year — either consecutively or spread across multiple visits — marking a substantial expansion over the previous 90-day per-visit limitation of the standard tourist e-Visa.

Designed as a reciprocal measure following the United Kingdom’s integration of Saudi nationals into its own British ETA system, the new travel platform covers visits dedicated to tourism, business engagement, family visits, and short-term educational courses.

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Saudi Arabia travel tourism via unsplash neom

To secure the e-Visa authorisation, British travellers simply have to complete an online form with their passport details and an intended itinerary to receive an instant entry confirmation before departure. Tourists visiting Saudi can apply for the new electronic visa waiver online yo to 90 days in advance of their trip, or at minimum, 48 hours in advance of their trip. This new digitised visa process is more streamlined, for both travellers and immigration services, and marks a notable shift toward a tech-driven immigration experience, eliminating traditional administrative delays and mirroring the Kingdom's broader goals to accelerate international business partnerships and global tourism.

However, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that the automated system is not a universal substitute for specialised entry paths. The new framework for digitally approved e-Visas explicitly excludes travel intended for formal employment, long-term residency, or the performance of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. British nationals and passport holders travelling for these three distinct purposes must continue to secure traditional, specialised visas through standard diplomatic channels and accredited processing centres before entering the country.

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The new e-Visa for British passport holders was introduced on July 1, 2026
This new visa will allow British nationals to hold a multiple-entry visa, that allows UK travellers to stay in the Kingdom for up to 180 days per year
The cost of this e-Visa is approximately US$105 or SAR 395

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