Last updated: 11 September 2026. UK citizens applying for a Saudi eVisa through the Visit Saudi portal face non-refundable fees if their application is denied. Below is a breakdown of refund policies, overstay fines, and express processing fees for 2026.
Saudi eVisa Refund Policy: Is Your Visa Fee Returned After Denial?
The Saudi eVisa government processing fee, service charge, and mandatory health insurance premium are non-refundable upon visa denial. Under clause 5.4 of the Visit Saudi eVisa terms, “Applicants that are not successful (for whatever reason) will not be entitled to a refund of any application fees paid.” UK citizens face the same terms as all 66 eligible countries.
| Fee Component | Refundable on Denial? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government processing fee | No | Charged via eVisa portal |
| Service/platform fee | No | Charged by portal or agent |
| Mandatory health insurance | No | Bundled into eVisa fee |
| Application Channel | Refund on Denial? | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Visit Saudi eVisa portal | Non-refundable | (clause 5.4) |
| MOFA embassy applications | Automatic refund | mofa.gov.sa (2 Jun 2022) |
| Third-party agencies | Varies by provider | e.g., Ibadah Tours: full refund |
Government Fee vs. Service Fee: What’s Actually Refundable?
Both the government processing fee and the platform service fee are non-refundable on the eVisa portal upon denial. No distinction applies between these components.
eVisa Portal vs. Embassy Applications: Different Refund Rules
MOFA states: “The fee will be refunded automatically if the request is rejected” (2 Jun 2022), but this covers embassy applications only. The Visit Saudi eVisa portal applies a non-refundable policy. The application channel determines the refund outcome.
Third-Party Visa Agencies: Do They Offer Refunds on Denial?
Policies vary. Ibadah Tours (65b Palmerston Road, London, E17 6PR) offers a full refund on rejection (30 Oct 2024). states that once submitted, “fees cannot be refunded regardless” (1 Jan 2026). Ibadah Tours is an independent agency; third-party refund terms are not guaranteed by the Saudi government.
Express Processing Fee & Reapplication Costs After a Saudi eVisa Denial
The express processing surcharge is non-refundable on denial, except for documented portal errors. Standard processing takes 24 to 48 hours. Compulsory medical insurance bundled into the eVisa fee remains non-refundable regardless of outcome.
| Parameter | Standard Processing | Express Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time | 24-48 hours | Faster (varies by provider) |
| Fee | Base government fee + service fee | Base fee + express surcharge |
| Refundable on denial? | No | No |
| Refundable on system delay? | No | Possible (with documentation) |
Express Processing Surcharge – Non-Refundable on Denial
The surcharge is retained upon rejection, with the sole exception of a verifiable portal-side delay supported by documentation.
Can You Reapply After a Denial? (and Do You Pay Again?)
Reapplication is immediate after denial, but the full fee (government + service + insurance) must be paid again. Some agencies, such as Ibadah Tours (020 8004 6786 / WhatsApp +44 7440 474247), may offer free corrections before resubmission. Fix all eligibility or documentation errors before reapplying.
How to Request a Refund or Appeal a Saudi eVisa Denial
The Saudi eVisa refund policy does not provide reimbursement of the government processing fee. Refund claims apply only to duplicate or erroneous charges through the processing entity.
Step-by-Step Refund Request Procedure
Verify your application status
Check your application status on the Visit Saudi eVisa portal.
Locate your denial confirmation
Find your denial confirmation or refusal notice.
Contact the processing entity
Visit Saudi portal support is available 24/7, or reach Ibadah Tours at 020 8004 6786 / WhatsApp +44 7440 474247.
Submit your refund request
Include your application ID, payment receipt, and denial letter.
Await processing
Credit card refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days.
UK tip: if you paid a service fee over £100 to a UK-registered agency via credit card, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act may offer additional protection.
Can You Appeal a Saudi eVisa Denial?
No formal appeal process exists for eVisa portal decisions. Common denial causes include documentation errors, eligibility mismatch, or an incomplete application.
What If You’re Charged Twice?
Screenshot both payment confirmations immediately, then contact the portal support or your agency with the evidence. Duplicate charges are the primary scenario where a refund request is valid.
Saudi Arabia Overstay Fines – Daily Penalty Rates for Tourists (2026)
Saudi Arabia charges tourists 100 SAR per day for each day beyond the visa validity period, with no confirmed grace period.
| Days Overstayed | Fine per Day (SAR) | Total Fine (SAR) | Approx. GBP Equivalent* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 100 SAR | 100 SAR | ~£21 |
| 3 days | 100 SAR | 300 SAR | ~£63 |
| 7 days | 100 SAR | 700 SAR | ~£147 |
| 14 days | 100 SAR | 1,400 SAR | ~£294 |
| 30 days | 100 SAR | 3,000 SAR | ~£630 |
*GBP figures are approximate. As of 2026, 1 SAR is approximately £0.21.
Is There an Overstay Grace Period in Saudi Arabia?
No confirmed grace period exists. Fines accrue from the first day after visa expiry. The Saudi Tourist eVisa is valid for 1 year, allows multiple entries, permits up to 90 days per entry, with a maximum of 180 days per year.
How to Pay Overstay Fines and Avoid Re-Entry Bans
Check overstay status
Via the Absher digital platform or Jawazat (Passport Department) offices
Pay the fine
Online via Absher or at airport immigration counters before departure
Retain payment confirmation
Keep confirmation for exit processing
Critical warning: leaving Saudi Arabia with unpaid overstay fines may result in a re-entry ban, preventing future entry to the Kingdom.
No, the Saudi eVisa application fee is non-refundable if your visa is denied. This applies to the government processing fee, service charge, and mandatory health insurance premium. The express processing surcharge is also non-refundable upon refusal. UK citizens are subject to the same terms as all eVisa applicants.
Saudi eVisa Denial FAQ
Is there a refund if my Saudi eVisa application is denied?
No. All eVisa fee components (government, service, and insurance) are non-refundable upon denial per clause 5.4 of the Visit Saudi eVisa terms.
How much is the overstay fine per day in Saudi Arabia for tourists?
Saudi Arabia charges 100 SAR per day for each day beyond the visa validity period. There is no confirmed grace period. As of 2026, 100 SAR is approximately £21.
Can I get my express processing fee back if my Saudi eVisa is rejected?
No. The express processing surcharge is non-refundable upon denial. A refund is only possible for documented portal-side system delays or errors.
How do I request a refund after a Saudi eVisa denial?
Only duplicate or erroneous charges are refundable. Contact Visit Saudi support (24/7) or your agency with application ID, receipt, and denial confirmation. Credit card refunds take 5 to 10 business days.
Can I appeal a refused Saudi eVisa?
No formal appeal process exists for eVisa portal decisions. Correct documentation or eligibility errors and submit a new application with the full fee.
What happens if I leave Saudi Arabia with unpaid overstay fines?
Unpaid overstay fines may trigger a re-entry ban. Settle via Absher, Jawazat, or airport counters before departure.
Is the Saudi eVisa government fee different from the service fee?
Yes. The government processing fee is charged by Saudi authorities. The service fee is charged by the portal or agency. Both are non-refundable on the eVisa portal upon denial.
Can I reapply for a Saudi eVisa after being denied, and do I pay the full fee again?
Yes, reapplication is immediate. You must pay the full government fee, service charge, and insurance premium again. There is no reduced fee or waiver.
Do UK citizens get different refund terms for Saudi eVisa?
No. UK passport holders are among 66 eligible countries and subject to the same non-refundable policy and overstay fine rules as all other nationalities.
What should I do if I’m charged twice for my Saudi eVisa application?
Contact the processing entity immediately with screenshot evidence of both charges. Visit Saudi support is available 24/7. If you applied via an agency, contact them directly with payment confirmations.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Policies may change without notice. Always verify current rules on the Visit Saudi portal or with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before applying or travelling.
