Last reviewed: 11 September 2026. UK passport holders asking “Can I get a Saudi visa on arrival” will find the answer is yes. The Saudi visa on arrival is issued at major international airport kiosks for approximately 480 SAR (~£100), including mandatory health insurance, valid for up to 90 days, with processing taking 15 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, UK travellers can apply for a Saudi eVisa online before departure via the Saudi eVisa portal. Both options cost the same fee and share one-year validity, but differ in entry type, application method, and processing time.
What Is a Saudi Visa on Arrival and Who Is Eligible?
Citizens of 66 eligible countries can obtain a Saudi visa on arrival at airport self-service kiosks. UK passport holders are eligible; the visa costs ~480 SAR, is valid for 90 days, and is single-entry. The Saudi visa on arrival is also available at designated land crossings and seaports.
Nationals of 66 countries across five regions qualify:
- Europe (40): United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and 35 others
- North America (7): United States, Canada, Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Asia (14): Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and 9 others
- Africa (3): Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa
- Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand
UK Citizens: VoA vs eVisa
UK passport holders are eligible for both the Saudi visa on arrival and the eVisa. Both cost ~480 SAR (~£100) and allow stays up to 90 days with one-year validity. The eVisa provides multiple entry; the Saudi visa on arrival is single entry.
Can I Get VoA with a Valid US, UK, or Schengen Visa?
Citizens of non-listed countries may still obtain a Saudi visa on arrival if they hold a valid, previously-used tourist or business visa from the US, UK, or Schengen area. The visa must be stamped in the passport.
Saudi Visa on Arrival Requirements and Airport Process
Requirements for a Saudi visa on arrival: passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank adjacent pages), return or onward ticket, hotel booking confirmation, and mandatory health insurance (100,000 SAR cap, included in the visa fee). Biometric appointments are not required for tourist VoA or eVisa; they apply only to traditional consular visas.
Passport Validity and Document Checklist
- Passport with minimum 6 months validity from entry date
- 2 blank adjacent pages in the passport
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Hotel booking confirmation
Step-by-Step Airport Process
Land at a designated port of entry
RUH (Riyadh), JED (Jeddah), DMM (Dammam), MED (Madinah), ABT (Abha), or TIF (Taif)
Follow signs to the visa on arrival kiosk
Look for dedicated VoA signage after disembarking.
Scan passport at the self-service machine
Place your passport on the kiosk scanner to begin the application.
Pay ~480 SAR (~£100) by Visa or Mastercard
No cash accepted at the kiosk.
Receive printed visa and proceed to immigration
Keep the printed visa document for presentation at the border control.
Complete biometric capture and passport stamping
Final step before entering Saudi Arabia.
Estimated processing time at the airport is 15 to 30 minutes. The Saudi visa on arrival is also available at land crossings (Bahrain, UAE, Jordan) and seaports.
VoA Cost and Payment Methods
| Component | SAR | GBP |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (incl. health insurance) | ~480 | ~£100 |
| Accepted payment | Visa / Mastercard only (no cash) | |
Mandatory health insurance covers emergency treatment and hospitalisation up to 100,000 SAR (GOV.UK source). Supplementary travel insurance is recommended for pre-existing conditions.
VoA vs eVisa: Which Should You Choose?
The Saudi visa on arrival provides single-entry permission at the airport for ~480 SAR. The Saudi visa on arrival takes 15 to 30 minutes, while the eVisa offers multiple-entry access applied online with 24 to 72 hours processing for the same fee.
| Feature | Saudi Visa on Arrival (VoA) | eVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ~480 SAR (~£100) | ~480 SAR (~£100) |
| Processing time | 15-30 minutes at airport | 24-72 hours online |
| Validity | 1 year | 1 year |
| Maximum stay | 90 days | 90 days |
| Entry type | Single entry | Multiple entry |
| Health insurance | Included (cap: 100,000 SAR) | Included (cap: 100,000 SAR) |
| Application | At airport kiosk | Online via |
How to Apply for the eVisa
The eVisa application process involves three steps: fill the application, pay the visa fee, and receive your online visa via the Saudi eVisa portal. The Saudi visa on arrival skips this by issuing entry permission directly at the airport, but restricts you to a single entry.
Fill the application
Complete the online form with your details
Pay the visa fee
~480 SAR (~£100) online
Receive your online visa
Via the Saudi eVisa portal
Saudi Visa on Arrival: Key Considerations for UK Travellers
Key risks for UK travellers using a Saudi visa on arrival: denied boarding if airline staff are unfamiliar with VoA rules, daily overstay fines beyond the 90-day limit, and Hajj-period restrictions on Umrah access.
OK to Board
Before boarding, airlines such as Saudia and British Airways may verify your Saudi visa on arrival eligibility at check-in. Agents unfamiliar with VoA rules risk denying boarding. Carry printed evidence of eligibility or an approved eVisa to avoid disruption.
Overstay Fines and Penalties
Overstaying the 90-day maximum stay on a Saudi visa on arrival triggers daily fines, potential detention, and re-entry bans. To extend your stay legally, contact Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) before the visa expires.
VoA for Umrah
A tourist Saudi visa on arrival permits Umrah outside the Hajj period. During Hajj, separate pilgrimage visa rules apply and tourist VoA access is restricted.
Common mistakes to avoid: expired passport (under 6 months validity), no card payment ready (Visa/Mastercard only), and arriving at an airport without VoA kiosks.
FAQ: Saudi Visa on Arrival for UK Travellers (2026)
UK passport holders are eligible for both the Saudi visa on arrival and the eVisa, each costing ~480 SAR with a 90-day maximum stay. The Saudi visa on arrival requires a valid passport and return ticket; the eVisa is applied for online.
Which nationalities are eligible for a Saudi visa on arrival?
Citizens of 66 eligible countries (see list above) can obtain a Saudi visa on arrival. Non-listed nationals may qualify with a valid, previously used US, UK, or Schengen visa stamped in their passport.
How do I get a Saudi visa on arrival at the airport – step by step?
Follow signs to the visa on arrival kiosk, scan your passport, pay ~480 SAR by Visa or Mastercard, receive a printed visa, then proceed to immigration for biometric capture and passport stamping. The Saudi visa on arrival process takes 15 to 30 minutes.
What documents are required for a Saudi visa on arrival?
You need a passport valid for at least 6 months with 2 blank adjacent pages, a return or onward ticket, and a hotel booking confirmation. Mandatory health insurance is bundled into the Saudi visa on arrival fee.
How much does a Saudi visa on arrival cost and what payment methods are accepted?
The Saudi visa on arrival fee is approximately 480 SAR (~£100), including mandatory health insurance. Payment at airport kiosks is by Visa or Mastercard only; cash is not accepted.
Saudi eVisa vs visa on arrival – what’s the difference for UK travellers?
The Saudi visa on arrival is single entry and issued at the airport in 15 to 30 minutes, while the eVisa is multiple entry and applied for online with 24 to 72 hours processing. Both cost ~480 SAR and allow 90-day stays with one-year validity.
Does a Saudi visa on arrival require health insurance?
Yes, health insurance is mandatory and bundled into the Saudi visa on arrival fee, with coverage capped at 100,000 SAR for emergency treatment and hospitalisation (GOV.UK). Supplementary travel insurance is recommended for pre-existing conditions.
How long can I stay in Saudi Arabia with a visa on arrival?
The Saudi visa on arrival allows a maximum stay of up to 90 days per visit, with one-year validity. Because it is single entry, you need a new visa for each subsequent visit.
Can UK passport holders get a Saudi visa on arrival?
Yes, UK passport holders are eligible for both the Saudi visa on arrival and the eVisa. The United Kingdom appears on the 66-country eligibility list under the Europe region.
Is the Saudi eVisa cheaper or faster than visa on arrival?
Neither is cheaper; both cost ~480 SAR (~£100). The eVisa is faster in that you apply online before travel (24 to 72 hours processing), while the Saudi visa on arrival takes 15 to 30 minutes at the airport but requires queueing after landing.
Can I get a Saudi visa on arrival if I am transiting through Saudi airports?
Travellers transiting through Saudi airports may qualify for a transit visa on arrival if they hold a passport from an eligible country or a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa. Check with your airline before departure to confirm transit VoA applicability.
What if my country isn’t on the eligible list?
If your nationality is not among the 66 eligible countries, you may still qualify for a Saudi visa on arrival under the dual eligibility rule with a valid, previously used US, UK, or Schengen visa. Otherwise, contact the nearest Saudi Arabia Embassy for a consular visa.
Can I get a Saudi tourist visa from the UK?
Yes, UK passport holders can obtain a Saudi tourist visa either as a Saudi visa on arrival at the airport or as an eVisa online via. Biometric appointments are not required for either tourist option; they apply only to traditional consular visas.
This information is for general guidance only. Always confirm current fees and entry requirements with the Saudi eVisa portal and GOV.UK travel advice before travel.
