The Saudi Arabia Personal Visit Visa is issued to foreign nationals who have been invited to Saudi Arabia by a Saudi citizen friend or relative. The Saudi host applies for the visa on the applicant's behalf through the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), which issues a visa authorisation letter that the visitor then uses to complete their application from the UK.
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Saudi Arabia Personal Visit Visa
Saudi Arabia Personal Visit Visa From the UK
Visiting a Saudi citizen friend or relative? Continental Visa manages every step of your Saudi Arabia Personal Visit Visa application from our London office — from reviewing your authorisation letter and completing the online application, to booking your biometric appointment and meeting you outside the Saudi Visa Centre on the day.
- Document Review & Online Application
- Fixed Fee · £95 Service Charge
- Biometric Appointment Booking
Overview
What Is the Saudi Arabia Personal Visit Visa?
The Saudi Arabia Personal Visit Visa is issued to foreign nationals invited to Saudi Arabia by a Saudi citizen friend or relative. Unlike a tourism visa, this visa requires a sponsor inside Saudi Arabia who applies for the visit on the visitor’s behalf through the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) using the Absher or visa platform. Once MoFA approves the request, a visa authorisation letter is generated, which the visitor then uses to complete the application from the UK.
The complete process from the UK takes place in two stages:
- Your Saudi host applies for the visa from inside Saudi Arabia and shares the authorisation letter with you
- You submit your documents in the UK, complete the online application, and attend a biometric appointment at the Saudi Visa Centre in London
Continental Visa supports you through the UK side of this process — reviewing your documents, completing the online application accurately, booking your biometric appointment, and meeting you at the Saudi Visa Centre on the day of your visit.
Important: The Personal Visit Visa is for visiting Saudi citizens only. If your host in Saudi Arabia is a foreign national on an Iqama (residency), you should apply for a Saudi Family Visit Visa instead. If you're travelling for tourism without a host, see our Saudi Tourism Visit Visa or Electronic Waiver Visa.
Which Visa Do You Need?
Personal Visit Visa vs Other Saudi Visit Visas
Choosing the right visit visa depends on who is sponsoring you in Saudi Arabia and the purpose of your trip. Here’s how the Personal Visit Visa compares to the alternatives.
Personal Visit Visa
For visitors hosted by a Saudi citizen
- Sponsor must be a Saudi citizen
- Host applies through MoFA from inside Saudi Arabia
- Authorisation letter required before UK submission
- Biometric appointment in London required
- Service fee: £95 (excl. embassy & insurance)
Family Visit Visa
For visitors hosted by foreign Iqama holders
- Sponsor is a foreign national on a Saudi residency (Iqama)
- Available for spouses, children, and close family
- Host applies through the Absher / MoFA portal
- Biometric appointment in London required
- View Family Visit Visa details →
Travelling for tourism without a host? The Saudi Tourism Visit Visa and Electronic Waiver Visa do not require a sponsor and can be applied for directly online. Speak to us if you're unsure which visa fits your trip — we'll confirm the right route in writing before you commit.
Required Documents
Saudi Personal Visit Visa Requirements
To apply for a Saudi Arabia Personal Visit Visa from the UK, please gather the following documents. We’ll review everything before submission to reduce the risk of delays at the visa centre.
Valid Passport
Passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of travel, with two blank pages opposite each other for the visa stamp.
Applicant
Passport Photographs
Two recent passport-sized photographs taken against a plain white background, meeting standard Saudi photo specifications.
Applicant
Visa Authorisation Letter & Sponsor ID
A copy of the authorisation letter issued by your Saudi citizen host through the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), along with a copy of the sponsor's ID.
From Saudi Host
Travel & Health Insurance
Mandatory insurance covering your stay in Saudi Arabia. Insurance is purchased directly at the Saudi Visa Centre when the visa is issued.
Paid at Centre
A Note on the Authorisation Letter
The authorisation letter is the single most important document for this visa. Without a valid MoFA-issued authorisation letter, the application cannot proceed. The letter contains a unique reference number that links the application to your Saudi host’s MoFA submission. If your host has not yet applied, ask them to do so through the Saudi MoFA visa platform before you begin gathering your UK documents.
Need help understanding the authorisation letter? Share a copy with us when you enquire and we'll confirm whether it's complete and ready for UK submission. Send us your details →
Our Process
How Continental Visa Manages Your Application
Once your Saudi host has obtained the MoFA authorisation letter, we take over the UK side of the process and handle everything through to biometric submission.
Document Submission & Review
You send us your passport copy, photographs, and the MoFA authorisation letter. We review everything within one working day and confirm we're ready to proceed.
Online Visa Application
Our team completes the online Saudi visa application on your behalf, accurately matching the details on your authorisation letter to your passport.
Biometric Appointment Booking
We book your biometric appointment at the Saudi Visa Centre in London and contact you by email to confirm a suitable date and time.
Meet & Greet at the Centre
On the day of your appointment, a member of our team meets you outside the Saudi Visa Centre to ensure you have everything you need before you go in.
Visa Issue & Collection
Once biometrics are captured and the application is processed by the Saudi Embassy, the visa is stamped in your passport — typically within 2 to 3 working days.
Pre-Travel Briefing
We provide a pre-travel briefing covering entry requirements, the conditions of your visa, and what to expect on arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Service & Pricing
Saudi Personal Visit Visa Fees
Our service fee is fixed and transparent. Saudi Embassy visa fees and mandatory insurance are paid separately at the Saudi Visa Centre when biometrics are captured.
| Service | Description / Notes | Fee (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Continental Visa Service Fee | Document review, online application, appointment booking, meet & greet | £95 |
| Saudi Embassy Visa Fee | Paid directly at the Saudi Visa Centre on the day of biometrics | At Centre |
| Mandatory Travel Insurance | Required by Saudi authorities — purchased at the Saudi Visa Centre | At Centre |
What's Included in Our £95 Service
- Document review
- Authorisation letter check
- Online visa application completion
- Biometric appointment booking
- Email confirmation of appointment time
- Meet & greet outside the Saudi Visa Centre
- Application tracking & status updates
Note: The Saudi Embassy visa fee and the mandatory health/travel insurance must be paid directly at the Saudi Visa Centre when you attend your biometric appointment. We'll let you know the expected amounts before your appointment so you can be prepared.
Why Continental Visa
Why Choose Continental Visa
Personal Visit Visa rejections are most often caused by avoidable issues — mismatched passport details, incomplete authorisation letters, or photo non-compliance. Our team prevents these issues before submission.
Experienced & Trusted Team
Specialist Saudi visa consultants based in London, familiar with every step of the Saudi Visa Centre process.
Complete End-to-End Service
From document review to biometric meet & greet, we manage every UK-side step of your Personal Visit Visa application.
Personalised Guidance & Support
One dedicated case handler stays in touch by phone, email, or WhatsApp until your visa is issued.
Fast & Reliable Processing
Same-day document review and quick appointment booking. We typically secure biometric slots within days of submission.
Nationwide & International Reach
Document collection by courier across the UK — you don't need to be in London to use our service.
ICO Registered
UK-registered consultancy (ICO: ZC091062) with full GDPR compliance for your sensitive personal documents.
Common Questions
Saudi Personal Visit Visa — FAQs
Answers to common queries about applying for a Saudi Arabia Personal Visit Visa from the UK. For specific questions about your case, please contact us directly.
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What is a Saudi Arabia Personal Visit Visa?
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Who can sponsor a Saudi Personal Visit Visa?
Only a Saudi citizen can sponsor a Personal Visit Visa for a friend or relative. The Saudi host applies through the Absher or MoFA platform on the applicant's behalf. Foreign residents of Saudi Arabia (Iqama holders) cannot typically sponsor a Personal Visit Visa — they should apply for a Saudi Family Visit Visa instead.
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What documents do I need for a Saudi Personal Visit Visa from the UK?
You need a valid passport with at least six months' validity and two blank pages opposite each other, two recent passport-sized photographs on a plain white background, and a copy of the visa authorisation letter issued by your Saudi host through the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), along with a copy of the sponsor's ID.
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How long does the Saudi Personal Visit Visa take to process?
Once your documents are submitted and your biometric appointment in London is completed, the Saudi Personal Visit Visa is typically issued within 2 to 3 working days. Processing times can vary depending on the Saudi Visa Centre's workload and any additional checks required by the Saudi authorities.
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How much does the Saudi Personal Visit Visa cost from the UK?
Continental Visa charges a £95 service fee covering document review, online application completion, biometric appointment booking, and meet & greet at the Saudi Visa Centre. Saudi Embassy visa fees and mandatory insurance charges are paid separately at the Saudi Visa Centre.
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What is a visa authorisation letter for the Saudi Personal Visit Visa?
The visa authorisation letter is the document issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) once your Saudi host has successfully applied for your Personal Visit Visa from inside Saudi Arabia. It contains your unique application reference and confirms that you are authorised to attend the Saudi Visa Centre in London to complete biometrics and have the visa issued in your passport.
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Do I need to attend a biometric appointment in London?
Yes. All Saudi visa applicants must attend a biometric appointment in person at the designated Saudi Visa Centre in London. Continental Visa books the appointment on your behalf, contacts you by email to confirm a suitable time, and offers a meet & greet service outside the centre on the day of your appointment.
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Is the Personal Visit Visa the same as a tourism visa?
No. The Personal Visit Visa requires a Saudi citizen sponsor and is intended for visiting friends or relatives in Saudi Arabia. If you are travelling to Saudi Arabia for tourism without a host, you should apply for a Saudi Tourism Visit Visa or the Electronic Waiver Visa, which do not require a sponsor.
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How long can I stay in Saudi Arabia on a Personal Visit Visa?
The length of stay depends on the conditions set by the Saudi host's application — Personal Visit Visas are typically issued for stays ranging from 30 to 90 days, sometimes with multiple entries allowed. The exact terms will be specified on your visa once issued.
Ready to Apply for Your Saudi Personal Visit Visa?
Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Share your authorisation letter and we'll confirm your eligibility, book your biometric appointment, and guide you through every step.
Request a Consultation