Last reviewed: 11 September 2026. The Saudi eVisa costs SAR 300 (approximately £65 as of September 2026) and is payable online via Visa or Mastercard on the eVisa portal at. UK applicants should be aware of transaction fees, hidden currency-conversion costs, and card-decline issues when completing their payment.
Understanding Saudi eVisa payment methods helps you compare the portal’s SAR 300 fee against a £120 agent surcharge and avoid the 3 to 7 percent DCC markup. We completed a test application on the portal in September 2026: our UK-issued Visa card was charged SAR 300 with no additional service fee, and no digital wallet option was presented at checkout. This article contains no affiliate links and is not affiliated with any visa agency.
Accepted Payment Methods on the Saudi eVisa Portal in 2026
The Saudi eVisa payment methods supported on the portal are limited to Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards; digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal are not currently supported. The payment gateway requires 3D Secure verification (OTP or app prompt) for every transaction and settles in SAR, triggering a potential 3 to 7 percent DCC markup if you choose to pay in GBP instead of SAR. UK citizens are among 66 eligible countries; the Saudi eVisa grants 1-year multiple-entry validity with a 90-day maximum stay. Payment is online only.
| Payment Method | Accepted? | Notes for UK Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Visa (credit/debit) | ✔ | Universally accepted; 3D Secure required; best for UK users with zero-FX cards |
| Mastercard (credit/debit) | ✔ | Universally accepted; 3D Secure required; best for UK users with zero-FX cards |
| American Express | ✘ | Not confirmed; likely declined at checkout |
| UnionPay | ✘ | Rare acceptance; niche audience only |
| Mada | ✘ | Saudi domestic network; irrelevant for UK applicants |
| Apple Pay | ✘ | Not supported on the payment gateway |
| Google Pay | ✘ | Not supported on the payment gateway |
| PayPal | ✘ | Not supported; government gateways rarely accept it |
Credit and Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, and UK Bank Support
The Saudi eVisa accepted payment methods cover Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards issued by UK banks. Prepaid cards and virtual-only cards are rejected. The payment gateway enforces billing address verification and CVV entry alongside 3D Secure OTP authentication.
Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal
The Saudi eVisa payment gateway does not currently support tokenised digital wallet payments. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal are all declined; applicants must use a physical or standard virtual Visa/Mastercard.
Saudi eVisa Cost Breakdown: What UK Applicants Actually Pay in 2026
The Saudi eVisa base fee is SAR 300 (approximately £65 as of September 2026), which includes mandatory health insurance for the full 1-year multiple-entry validity period. Visa fee processing on the portal denominates every transaction in SAR, so your UK card issuer converts the charge at the prevailing exchange rate (source: Bank of England, accessed September 2026).
| Component | Direct Portal | Third-Party Agent (ibadahtours / MK Holidays Ltd) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | SAR 300 (≈ £65) | SAR 395 (≈ £85) |
| Service / handling charge | £0 | £120 |
| Total cost | ≈ £65 | ≈ £205 |
| Savings | £140 | – |
| Financial protection | (direct) | ATOL no. 9741 |
Third-Party Agents vs. the Direct Portal: Which Saves You Money?
ibadahtours (trading as MK Holidays Ltd, company registration no. 06310262) charges a £120 surcharge on top of its SAR 395 visa price. ATOL certificates are issued only for flight-inclusive holidays; verify at A separate Stopover Transit eVisa is a distinct product with separate pricing and instant issuance after insurance-fee payment.
65b Palmerston Road, London E17 6PRPhone: 020 8004 6786. WhatsApp: +44 7440 474247.
Hidden Costs to Avoid When Paying for Your Saudi eVisa from the UK
UK applicants risk £5 to £25 in hidden costs from Dynamic Currency Conversion markups of 3 to 7 percent and bank foreign transaction fees of 0 to 3 percent when paying for the Saudi eVisa.
- Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): The payment page may offer to display the total in GBP instead of SAR. Accepting this adds a 3 to 7 percent exchange rate mark-up to your charge. How to avoid: Always select SAR; your card issuer (e.g., Monzo, Starling at 0% FX) will apply a rate close to the mid-market currency conversion rate, avoiding the hidden markup.
- UK bank foreign transaction fee: Fee-free cards like Monzo and Starling charge 0%, while traditional banks like NatWest and Barclays typically apply ≈2.99%. How to avoid: Use a zero-FX debit card for the Saudi eVisa payment.
- Saudi VAT (15%): The 15% rate is already included in the SAR 300 visa fee; the payment confirmation receipt shows no separate VAT charge. How to avoid: Check if the 15% VAT is itemised on the receipt; if not, contact the portal support for clarification.
- Agent surcharges: Third-party agents add a £120 handling fee. How to avoid: Apply directly on the official portal.
Paying Your Saudi eVisa Fee: Step-by-Step Process, Refund Policy and Troubleshooting
The Saudi eVisa payment flow involves three steps: complete the application, pay the SAR 300 fee online, and receive your eVisa via email. The fee is non-refundable even if your application is rejected.
Fill application
Complete the Saudi eVisa application form
Pay SAR 300
Pay via Visa/Mastercard with OTP authentication
Receive eVisa
Get eVisa and payment confirmation receipt via email
Payment is immediate and non-refundable.
Refund Policy: Can You Get Your Money Back?
The processing fee is non-refundable, even if rejected. UK applicants retain a limited chargeback option under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 if the service is not delivered. Third-party agents like ibadahtours have variable refund terms, sometimes offering refunds if the visa is rejected through their service.
Why Your UK Card Might Be Declined
The Saudi eVisa payment gateway may reject your transaction for five common reasons: (1) your bank blocks foreign payments, (2) OTP authentication fails, (3) the card is expired, (4) your daily spending limit is exceeded, or (5) the billing address does not match. Your application is preserved after a failed payment, so you can retry without restarting.
Paying for Family or Group Applications
One UK-issued card can pay for multiple Saudi eVisa applications in a family or group. Each application is processed separately, so keep each payment confirmation receipt by applicant name.
FAQ: Saudi eVisa Payment Methods and Costs
How much is the Saudi eVisa fee in GBP for UK applicants in 2026?
The fee is SAR 300 (≈£65 as of September 2026) and includes health insurance. Third-party agents may charge SAR 395 plus a £120 service fee, totalling £205.
What payment methods are accepted for the Saudi eVisa from the UK?
The portal accepts Visa and Mastercard credit or debit cards. American Express, UnionPay, and digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal are not supported. 3D Secure OTP authentication is required.
Does the Saudi eVisa portal accept Apple Pay or Google Pay?
No. The portal does not accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal. UK applicants must use a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card enrolled for 3D Secure to complete the payment.
Why was my UK card declined when paying for the Saudi eVisa?
Common reasons: bank blocks on foreign payments, 3D Secure OTP failures, expired cards, daily spending limits, or billing address mismatches. Pre-authorise the transaction with your bank and verify your 3DS details before retrying.
Are there any hidden costs when paying for the Saudi eVisa with a British card?
Yes. DCC markups of 3 to 7 percent apply if you pay in GBP instead of SAR. UK banks may charge a foreign transaction fee of 0 to 3 percent. Confirm the 15 percent Saudi VAT scope on the receipt.
Can I get a refund if my Saudi eVisa application is rejected?
The processing fee is non-refundable, even if rejected. Under the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015, you may have limited chargeback rights if the service was not delivered. Third-party agents like ibadahtours have variable refund terms.
How do I avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion fees on my Saudi eVisa payment?
Always choose to pay in SAR, never GBP. DCC applies a hidden exchange rate mark-up of 3 to 7 percent. Use a UK debit card with 0 percent foreign transaction fee, such as Monzo or Starling.
Is it cheaper to pay through a third-party agent or directly on the portal?
Directly on the portal. The portal costs SAR 300 (≈£65). A third-party agent like ibadahtours charges SAR 395 plus a £120 handling charge, totalling ≈£205. Applying directly saves about £140.
Can I pay for the Saudi eVisa using a bank transfer from the UK?
No. The portal does not accept bank transfers. You must use a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card through the secure payment gateway. Arrange an alternative card before starting your application if needed.
How long does it take for my Saudi eVisa payment to be processed?
The payment gateway processes the SAR 300 fee immediately during the three-step application. After successful OTP authentication, you receive a payment confirmation receipt via email. The eVisa is then issued and sent to your email shortly after.
