Yes, the Saudi eVisa fee includes mandatory health insurance. The SAR 300 (~GBP 63) price automatically bundles basic emergency medical coverage with a limit of SAR 100,000 (~GBP 21,000). The insurance is allocated automatically by the Council of Health Insurance (CCHI).
The fee covers emergency hospitalisation at CCHI-accredited facilities, but excludes pre-existing conditions, repatriation to the UK, and trip cancellation. UK travellers must understand these specific limits to evaluate if additional policies are needed.
Unlike the Saudi eVisa, the UK Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) does not include any health insurance. EVW holders must purchase separate insurance before departure.
What the Saudi eVisa Fee Includes and Excludes
The Saudi eVisa is valid for 1 year (multiple-entry) with a maximum stay of 90 days per visit.
- Emergency hospitalisation at CCHI-accredited facilities
- Insurers (Tawuniya, Bupa Arabia, Medgulf) randomly assigned by CCHI
- Emergency treatment for COVID-19 (likely covered)
- Pre-existing and chronic conditions
- Elective surgery
- Dental treatment (except trauma)
- Optical care
- Mental health services
- Repatriation to the UK
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage loss
- Flight delays
- Adventure or extreme sports
- Quarantine costs (typically excluded)
| Component | Saudi eVisa | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | SAR 300 (~GBP 63) | SAR 480 (~GBP 102) |
| Insurance | Included in fee | SAR 180 (~GBP 38) paid separately |
| Total | SAR 300 (~GBP 63) | SAR 660 (~GBP 140) |
| Insurance provider | CCHI-assigned (random) | CCHI-assigned (random) |
How to Make a Claim on Your Saudi eVisa Insurance
At a CCHI-accredited hospital, present your printed eVisa and passport. The assigned insurer bills the hospital directly up to the SAR 100,000 (~GBP 21,000) limit, so you pay nothing upfront.
Locate a CCHI-accredited hospital
Use the Council of Health Insurance portal at cchi.gov.sa.
Present your documents at admissions
Bring your printed Saudi eVisa and passport (minimum 6 months validity).
Provide insurer details
Give the insurer name and policy number from your eVisa confirmation email.
Hospital bills the insurer directly
The assigned insurer is billed within the SAR 100,000 (~GBP 21,000) coverage limit.
Pay any excess costs
You pay any costs exceeding the limit out of pocket.
If no accredited hospital is nearby, call your assigned insurer’s 24/7 hotline (number in your confirmation email) or dial 911 for emergencies. Non-accredited private hospitals require upfront payment, with reimbursement claimed afterwards, though approval is rarely granted.
Do UK Travellers Need Additional Travel Insurance?
The eVisa insurance covers only emergency medical costs up to SAR 100,000 (~GBP 21,000). It excludes trip cancellation, baggage loss, and medical evacuation to the UK, leaving significant gaps for British travellers.
| Feature | Saudi eVisa Mandatory Insurance | UK Comprehensive Travel Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical | Up to SAR 100,000 (~GBP 21,000) | Typically GBP 5-10 million |
| Medical evacuation to UK | Not covered | Included |
| Trip cancellation | Not covered | Up to GBP 3,000-5,000 |
| Baggage loss/delay | Not covered | Up to GBP 1,500-2,500 |
| Pre-existing conditions | Excluded | Declare; may be covered |
| Adventure sports | Excluded | Add-on available |
| COVID-19 quarantine | Likely excluded | Often included |
| Approx. cost (UK, single trip) | Included in eVisa (~GBP 63 total) | GBP 15-50 depending on cover |
Warning: UK EVW Does Not Include Insurance
UK passport holders may receive an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) instead of a standard Saudi eVisa. The EVW is single-entry and free of charge, but unlike the Saudi eVisa, the EVW does not bundle any health insurance. A UK traveller arriving on an EVW who needs emergency treatment would face the full hospital bill without coverage.
GHIC and EHIC Do Not Apply in Saudi Arabia
The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) cover EEA countries only. Neither card provides any healthcare coverage in Saudi Arabia. UK travellers cannot rely on GHIC or EHIC as a backup to the Saudi eVisa insurance package.
Recommended UK Travel Insurance Providers for Saudi Arabia (2026)
If your trip value exceeds GBP 2,000, or you plan activities such as Red Sea diving, desert safaris, or Umrah during peak season, a comprehensive UK travel insurance policy is strongly recommended. Named UK providers include Staysure, CoverForYou, AllClear, and Direct Line. Compare policies using UK tools such as MoneySupermarket or Comparethemarket to find cover that includes medical evacuation to the UK, cancellation limits, and pre-existing condition handling.
Reviewed 11 September 2026. Saudi visa and insurance rules may change without notice. Always verify current requirements on the official Saudi Visa Portal (visa.ksa.gov.sa) before applying.
FAQ: Saudi eVisa Insurance in 2026
Does Saudi eVisa fee include insurance?
Yes, the SAR 300 (~GBP 63) Saudi eVisa fee automatically includes mandatory health insurance allocated by the Council of Health Insurance (CCHI). You do not need to purchase it separately.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Saudi eVisa?
Yes, health insurance is a mandatory component of the Saudi eVisa and cannot be opted out of. The premium is embedded in the total SAR 300 (~GBP 63) fee.
How much of the Saudi eVisa fee goes to insurance?
The insurance portion is approximately SAR 100 to 120 of the total SAR 300 fee, though Saudi authorities do not publish an exact split. The remainder covers visa processing and service charges.
What does the Saudi eVisa insurance NOT cover?
The mandatory policy excludes pre-existing and chronic conditions, elective surgery, dental (except trauma), optical, mental health, repatriation to the UK, trip cancellation, baggage loss, flight delays, and adventure and extreme sports.
Does the Saudi eVisa insurance cover COVID-19 in 2026?
Emergency medical treatment for COVID-19 is likely covered under the mandatory policy. However, quarantine accommodation and associated costs are typically excluded; check the CCHI website for the latest 2026 guidance.
Do I need extra insurance for Umrah on a Saudi eVisa?
Standard insurance covers basic emergencies during Umrah. Additional coverage is recommended for Hajj/Umrah season due to crowd-related risks and longer stays.
What happens if my medical bills exceed the SAR 100,000 limit?
You are personally liable for any medical costs above the SAR 100,000 (~GBP 21,000) coverage limit and must pay the difference out of pocket. Additional comprehensive travel insurance with a higher medical limit (typically GBP 5-10 million) is strongly recommended.
Are adventure activities like Red Sea diving covered by the eVisa insurance?
No, extreme and adventure sports including scuba diving, desert safaris, and mountain hiking are excluded from the mandatory Saudi eVisa policy. A separate travel insurance policy with a specific sports add-on is required.
Do I have to pay anything out of pocket at a Saudi hospital with eVisa insurance?
Most CCHI-accredited hospitals bill the assigned insurer directly, so no upfront payment is required within the SAR 100,000 limit. Some facilities may apply a small deductible or copayment; confirm with admissions on arrival.
Can I buy the Saudi eVisa health insurance separately?
No, the mandatory insurance is only available as part of the Saudi eVisa application process. If you hold a different visa type such as the UK Electronic Visa Waiver, you must purchase travel insurance independently from a private provider.
