The Saudi eVisa costs ~£95 with insurance included, processes in minutes to 48 hours, and grants 90 days of multiple-entry travel over one year. In the Saudi eVisa vs other visas comparison, it outpaces the UK ETA (£10), Schengen C visa (~£95-120 with separate insurance, 15-45 days processing), and US B-1/B-2 visa (£146, interview required) in speed and accessibility. Sources: (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs), gov.uk, ec.europa.eu, travel.state.gov. GBP figures based on typical 2026 exchange rates; verify at time of application.
Saudi eVisa at a Glance & Side-by-Side Comparison
The Saudi eVisa is valid for 365 days with multiple-entry access allowing up to 90 cumulative days of stay. The Saudi eVisa grants entry for tourism, Umrah pilgrimage, and business meetings to passport holders from 66 eligible nationalities (per a 2023 source; the list has since expanded, with holders of valid UK/US/Schengen visas also qualifying for simplified entry). Saudia Airlines offers a free 96-hour stopover transit eVisa for exploring cultural landmarks in Riyadh. The Saudi eVisa costs approximately ~$120 (~£95) with medical insurance bundled automatically.
| Attribute | Saudi eVisa | UK ETA | Schengen C | US B-1/B-2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | ~$120 (~£95) | £10 | ~€80 (~£70) + insurance | $185 (~£146) |
| Validity | 365 days | Multiple entry | Per visa grant | Up to 10 years |
| Max stay | 90 days per visa year | 6 months per entry | 90 days / 180-day rolling | 180 days per entry |
| Processing time | Minutes to 48 hours | Up to 3 business days | 15 to 45 calendar days | Weeks to 6+ months |
| Biometrics | None | None | Fingerprint capture required | In-person interview + fingerprints |
| Insurance | Included in fee | Not required | Separate purchase (~€30,000 min) | Not mandated |
Cost Breakdown & Processing Times Compared
The Saudi eVisa totals approximately ~£95 with bundled medical insurance, compared to £10 for the UK ETA, ~£95-120 for a Schengen C visa with separate insurance, and £146 for a US B-1/B-2 visa. The Saudi eVisa bundles mandatory health insurance directly into its ~$120 base fee, eliminating a separate purchase that Schengen applicants must arrange independently (minimum €30,000 coverage, ~€30-60 / ~£25-50 extra).
| Visa Type | Base Fee | Insurance | Total (GBP) | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi eVisa | ~$120 (~£95) | Included | ~£95 | Minutes to 48 hours |
| UK ETA | £10 | Not required | £10 | Up to 3 business days |
| Schengen C visa | ~€80 (~£70) | ~€30-60 (~£25-50) | ~£95-120 | 15-45 calendar days |
| US B-1/B-2 | $185 (~£146) | Not mandated | ~£146 | Weeks to 6+ months |
Application Requirements, Biometrics & Stay Limits
The Saudi eVisa and UK ETA require only a passport scan with no biometrics or embassy visit, while Schengen mandates fingerprint capture and the US requires an in-person interview. Stay-limit rules differ significantly across all four systems.
- Convenience ranking: Saudi eVisa ≈ UK ETA (fully digital) > Schengen (biometric appointment) > US (in-person interview).
- Saudi eVisa: fully online via – no biometrics, no embassy visit, no financial proof required.
- UK ETA: fully digital via app, no biometrics, no financial proof.
- Schengen C visa: fingerprint capture at a visa application centre (appointment mandatory); bank statements, employment letter, and accommodation proof required.
- US B-1/B-2: in-person consular interview mandatory plus fingerprinting; bank statements and evidence of ties to home country required.
- Stay limits – Saudi eVisa: 90 days total within a 365-day validity period (hard cap per visa year). Example: 45 days spent in Saudi in June leaves 45 days remaining for the rest of that visa year.
- Stay limits – Schengen: 90 days within any rolling 180-day window.
- Stay limits – US B-1/B-2: up to 180 days per individual entry, determined by CBP officer at the border.
- Stay limits – UK ETA: up to 6 months per entry.
- UK visa holders: holders of a valid, previously-used UK, US, or Schengen visa may qualify for Saudi eVisa on arrival even if their nationality is not on the 66-country eligible list. Contact the nearest Saudi Arabia Embassy to confirm.
GCC Country Visas Compared – UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman & Kuwait
The Saudi eVisa is priced at approximately ~£95 and sits mid-range among GCC tourist visas, above Qatar’s Hayya system but comparable to UAE and Oman eVisa fees. The Saudi eVisa grants entry to Saudi Arabia only; each GCC country requires its own visa for side trips.
| Country | Visa Cost | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | 30-day ~$90 / 60-day ~$170 | eVisa online |
| Qatar | Hayya ~QAR 100 (free for many during events) | Online |
| Oman | 10-day ~OMR 20 (~£40) / 30-day ~OMR 50 (~£100) | eVisa |
| Bahrain | 2-week ~BD 25 (~£52) | eVisa |
| Kuwait | Visit visa (sponsor or eVisa for eligible nationalities) | Varies |
GCC members are working toward a unified “Grand Tourist Visa” modelled on the Schengen system, but no confirmed launch date exists as of 2026. Until then, the Saudi eVisa cannot be used for entry into any neighbouring GCC state.
FAQ: Saudi eVisa vs Other Visas
Can UK citizens apply for the Saudi eVisa, or do they need a different visa?
Yes. UK citizens appear on the 66-country eligible nationality list and can apply entirely online at (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal). The process is fully digital with no biometrics, no in-person interview, and no financial proof required, taking minutes to 48 hours for approval.
Do I need a separate visa for each GCC country, or will the Saudi eVisa work across the region?
The Saudi eVisa is valid only for Saudi Arabia; each GCC country runs its own visa system. A unified GCC Grand Tourist Visa is under discussion, but no launch date exists as of 2026.
What happens if I overstay my Saudi eVisa? Are there fines or bans?
Overstaying the Saudi eVisa is treated seriously. Penalties include a fine of SAR 10,000 and a potential re-entry ban. The 90-day limit within the 365-day validity is a hard cap per visa year, so travellers must track cumulative days carefully and leave before the allowance is exhausted.
Can I extend my Saudi eVisa stay beyond 90 days while in the country?
No. The tourist eVisa does not permit in-country extension. Once the 90-day cumulative limit within the 365-day validity period is reached, travellers must leave Saudi Arabia. Re-entering requires a new eVisa application, which would start a fresh visa year with a new 90-day allowance.
Is health insurance included with the Saudi eVisa, or do I need to buy it separately?
Insurance is bundled into the Saudi eVisa fee (~$120 / ~£95). Schengen requires separate coverage: minimum €30,000, adding ~€30-60 (~£25-50).
Can I attend business meetings or conferences on a Saudi tourist eVisa?
The Saudi eVisa permits tourism, Umrah, and business meetings/conferences, but excludes paid employment and studying. If the primary purpose is work requiring compensation, a different visa category obtained through the Saudi embassy would be necessary.
Which is easier to obtain, the Saudi eVisa or a US B-1/B-2 visa?
Saudi eVisa: fully online, no biometrics, approval in minutes to 48 hours. US B-1/B-2: in-person interview, fingerprinting, financial proof, wait times from weeks to 6+ months.
Do I need a visa for airside transit through Saudi Arabia, the US, or the Schengen zone?
Saudi: free 96-hour stopover eVisa via Saudia. US: C-1 transit visa or ESTA required even for airside transit. Schengen: Airport Transit Visa required for certain nationalities – check ec.europa.eu.
Can holders of a valid UK or US visa get a Saudi eVisa on arrival if their nationality isn’t on the eligible list?
Holding a valid, previously used UK, US, or Schengen visa may qualify non-listed nationals for simplified Saudi entry, potentially including visa on arrival. However, eligibility depends on individual circumstances. Travellers should contact the nearest Saudi Arabia embassy to confirm before booking, as policies may change without notice.
Will a future GCC unified visa replace individual eVisas for Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar?
GCC states are working toward a Schengen-style Grand Tourist Visa, but no launch date exists as of 2026. Until then, each country requires a separate visa.
Last updated: September 2026. This article reflects visa policies current as of September 2026. Always verify on, gov.uk, ec.europa.eu, and travel.state.gov before booking.
